Esther became a finalist in the narcissistic king’s beauty pageant and was rewarded with worldly gifts.

Esther 2:8-11

Click for a description of the mark of the beast.
Click for a description of the image of the beast.

 “So it was, when the king’s command and decree were heard, and when many young women were gathered at Shushan the citadel, under the custody of Hegai, that Esther also was taken to the king’s palace, into the care of Hegai the custodian of the women.” Esther 2:8

The king was narcissist and full of grandiosity who demanded that every state in the country send him their young and beautiful girls. They were treated like dolls, placed into a commercial shipping truck and stored in a warehouse under the king’s property managers. Esther, a Godly Jewish girl, was one of the many girls who were taken to the king’s palace as a candidate to be his next queen. This was a Miss Universe pageant designed as a shopping list for the king.

When it comes to children of any age our Lord Jesus Christ says this, “But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” And He laid His hands on them and departed from there.” Matthew 19:14-15Today’s world prevents children from approaching Jesus Christ, as they are influenced by an entity that shapes their feelings, actions, thoughts, and words. This entity allows the image of the beast to live and speak through them against God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Children of all ages are molded by the global culture’s will as they are groomed to the mark of the beast in their speech and deeds.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we welcome the Holy Spirit to tame the carnal beast of our human nature and reject any exploitation of young people’s innocence and vulnerability for our own benefit, pleasure, or image. Our Lord Jesus wants young people to learn to honor God, our Creator, to recognize our need for Jesus Christ to forgive our sins, and to embrace the goodness and purity of life through the Holy Spirit.

“Now the young woman pleased him, and she obtained his favor; so he readily gave beauty preparations to her, besides her allowance. Then seven choice maidservants were provided for her from the king’s palace, and he moved her and her maidservants to the best place in the house of the women. Esther had not revealed her people or family, for Mordecai had charged her not to reveal it.” Esther 2:9-10

Esther was the young woman chosen as the ideal doll for the narcissistic and grandiose king to display as his adornment. She received beauty treatments that tailored her appearance to the king’s preferences. She also got money and a group of women from the royal palace to attend to her every need. She was moved to the finest quarters in the women’s house. Narcissistic and grandiose people lack emotional attachment and genuine love for others. They only express their affection through worldly things, such as physical enhancements, material gifts, pampering services, and preferential treatment.

Jesus Christ warns us to resist the temptations and promises of this world, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” Mark 8:36 A common practice in the Bible is to use “man” as a synonym for humankind.

Esther was a Jew, but she kept this a secret from the king and his people. She had been brought up to respect God and to follow the Ten Commandments. Her whole life embraced the Spirit of the teachings of Jesus, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40 Esther had a Godly attitude that showed respect, humility, and obedience to others and she was chosen as a possible queen for the king, who was narcissistic and grandiose. Esther was submissive, compliant, or adaptable enough to suit the king’s purposes. Her beauty also made her a desirable trophy for him to show off.

 “And every day Mordecai paced in front of the court of the women’s quarters, to learn of Esther’s welfare and what was happening to her.” Esther 2:11

Esther faced a perilous situation that worried Mordecai like a parent who fears for their child’s life in a war zone or a surgery room in a hospital. She had grown up with the Ten Commandments as her moral guide, but she was surrounded by a culture that was not aware of them and followed their own values. Mordecai had to wonder: Would she survive? Would she fit in with the foreign people? Would she become the queen of a dangerous, narcissistic and grandiose king?

Jesus Christ has this prayer for us, “I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” John 17:15-17

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“….to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,
‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Revelation 2:24-25, 3:11