Bridge to Esther

Esther 2:8-9

The Persian Beauty Contest

8. So it came to pass, when the king’s commandment and his decree was heard, ordering the king’s servants to search for beautiful girls in the kingdom, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody, or care, of Heg-a-i, that Esther was brought also unto the king’s house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.

9. And the maiden caught the attention of Hegai, for she pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things she would need for purification, or the cleansing of her body, with such things as belonged to her, perhaps various foods or things she needed to beautify herself, and seven maidens, which were meet, suitable, to be given her as special servants to prepare for the beauty contest, out of the king’s house: and he (Hegai) preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women.

Something to think about:

You never know what the day will bring. Surely Esther never thought the king’s servants would come to her door and take her with them! But it happened! She had no choice. Once she arrived at the palace, she would have learned the horrible truth: “You are in the Persian Beauty Contest! If the king likes you, then you are lucky. If he doesn’t like you, well, too bad. You are going to live the rest of your life in this place. You won’t be going back home again! So you had better work hard to make yourself the most beautiful young woman.”

Don’t be jealous for one moment! There is nothing beautiful about this story. All of a sudden, Esther was ripped away from her loved ones, and her life was turned upside down without warning. She probably felt very lonely and afraid.

These poor girls and their families all had to bow to the king. If they didn’t suit his taste, then they would be locked up with all the other ‘not-good-enough-for-the-king’ women the rest of their lives. They would never be able to go back home, marry and have a family.

Besides, one can imagine the bitter jealousy among these girls! Every one of them would be fighting for the first spot. They would speak nastily about each other behind their backs and try to snatch the best things for themselves.

Magazines often have flashy pictures of the models on their covers. They look so happy; their skin is always beautiful; they have enough money to buy and do whatever they please.

Don’t be fooled! Most of these people aren’t happy at all. Many are sad, lonely, unsure, hurting and afraid. They don’t know what real love is. Today, they are wildly popular, but tomorrow, someone else might rise to fame, and they will be forgotten.

Many young people also feel they have to be the most beautiful, the coolest and the best. They need to have new style clothes, especially brand names. They are afraid that if they don’t, they won’t be popular. Although they may be outwardly glamorous, often these young people feel empty, lonely and insecure. Don’t get caught up in the popularity race!

On the other hand, maybe you think your life is boring. “I just live at home with my family. Nothing special happens in my life.” Think again. Do you have parents who really care for you? Are you able to go home each day after school? Have you been spared from being kidnapped to serve the wishes of selfish men? Are you able to live a normal life? Esther—and many other children in our world today—would be jealous of you!