What Was Esther's Secret?

"Charm is deceitful, and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised." (Proverbs 31:30)

What was Esther's secret? Was it her beauty or some other secret? Why was a peasant girl from a nation in exile chosen as queen by a powerful Persian king? Why did Xerxes pass over as many as 1,459 other candidates from other nations and Persia's own 127 province-nations to select Esther? Was it just because of her beauty, or did she know a secret?

According to ancient rabbinic tradition, Esther was one of the four most beautiful Jewish women of all time (the others were Sarah, Rahab, and Abigail). King Xerxes had unlimited access to the most beautiful women in the world, and his extensive harem was proof of it. It would take more than outward beauty or sensual appeal to captivate such a man. Xerxes could have had Esther remain a concubine or secondary wife, yet something about her demanded commitment from him.

Esther was an outsider, born not of nobility but of an exiled people! She had none of these things going for her, but somehow she won the heart and then the ear of the king despite Persian prejudices and traditions. What was her secret? 

I observed that we live in a generation that focuses more on the outward than the inward. We spend tons of money buying the most expensive phones just to impress others. We are least concerned about the phone's functions but then the brand logo matters.

Jesus said in Matthew 23:26, "First cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also." Here, Jesus was teaching us to lay emphasis on inner beauty. Esther was beautiful, but at this moment in her life, she needed another fragrance beyond the outward beauty. She needed the favour and inner character.  

The Bible says in Esther 2:15-17, "Now when the turn came for Esther the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her as his daughter, to go in to the king, she requested nothing but what Hegai the king's eunuch, the custodian of the women, advised. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all who saw her. So Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus, into his royal palace, in the tenth month, which is the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. The king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins, so he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen instead of Vashti."

Esther paid attention to the eunuch's instructions. She wasn't full of herself; rather, she was humble enough for the favour of God to reflect through her. She was full of favour, and her confidence wasn't in her outward beauty was the inner fragrance of favour and grace. 

As you pursue your dreams this year, what's your confidence? Is it your smartness, money, diligence, or your connections? I want you to know that all those can fail like the beauty of other ladies failed them. So, embrace God's favour and grace. Esther found favour in the sight of the king. So I prophesy this year, you will also enjoy favour in high places.

Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank you for showing me the secret to my enthronement. I pray that you surround me with your favour today. Let my life be filled with greater grace so I can attract good things this year. I decree that I shall never suffer rejection, but I will be accepted. In Jesus' name. Amen.