Biblial Figures of Adoption - Esther

The Biblical Adoption of Esther

"Mordecai had a cousin named Hadassah, whom he had brought up because she had neither father nor mother. This young woman, who was also known as Esther, had a lovely figure and was beautiful. Mordecai had taken her as his own daughter when her father and mother died."Esther 2:7

The Birth Family:

~Our Christian texts do not shed any light on what happened to Esther's parents. In the Jewish faith, it is said her father died before she was born, while her mother died during childbirth. (JWA.org)

~Her parents were Jewish, as was Mordecai.

~Before her parents' death, the climate for Jews in Persia was stable. Pursia was under Zoroastrianism, founded by the prophet Zoroaster. "Conquered peoples were allowed to practice their own religions as long as they paid taxes and recognized Persian authority. The Persian Empire is considered one of the first in history to adopt such a policy of religious tolerance." According to Study.com

Adopted Father Mordecai:

~Mordecai was her cousin. He showed his loyalty not only to his family, but to God. His faith was put into action by protecting an orphan and his family. (Deuteronomy 10:18, Psalms 68:5)

He gave her stability, protection, and guidance that she otherwise wouldn't have had. Without this mentorship, she wouldn't have grown into the woman God intended for her to become. It took obedience and faith.

Mordedcai was forward-thinking and prepared her for spiritual battle.

Divinly appointed still relies on obedience. The adoption proves divine providence. From the adoption itself, to queenhood, to her willingness to be used to deliver a nation from genocide. It was still her choice, as even Mordecai and Esther have the same free will you and I have.

Mordecai helped her conceal her identity with a new name, Esther, before she integrated herself into queenhood.

Hadassah/Esther:

~Regardless of bleak beginnings, Esther and Mordecai show us that not only does God will make a way, but our obedience is pivotal. (Isaiah 6:8)

~Esther demonstrates incredible faithfulness to her inner spirit. Often, those who have lost their stability look more inward than outward. This is why it's important to know where your spirit stands.

~God used her despite her pedigree or background.

~She was obedient to His will because she sought HIS will. Not another man's. Not her own, but her Creator's will.

~When she became queen, no one by Mordedcai and a select others knew she was Jewish. She had been divinely positioned.

~Ahasuerus in the Bible and Xerxes I in modern-day history, son of Darius the Great, ruled the Achaemenid Empire from 486 to 465 BC, married Esther, who he believed to be Prussian (who was really Hadassah, a Jew)

~The leading Prime Minister, Haman, manipulates King Ahasuerus by a tricky order to kill all the Jews in Prussia. Ahasuerus, perhaps preoccupied or not able to see the trickery, had no idea of Haman's dark agenda.

~Esher used two baquents to forward her mission. First, she got Ahasuerus into the same room to feast and survey the disposition of the two men. The second, she risked her life by addressing the king without being summoned. Inviting him to a second banquet with Haman. It is here she will reveal Haman's plot and her true identity.

~The king was unaware and furious with his once-trusted advisor.

~Haman was then executed by the very gallows he built for Mordecai, who was revered within the Jewish community.

~Mordecai was given the Prime Minister's role within Ahasuerus's courts.

~Esther was given Haman's Estates.

~She was hidden away - "...for such a time as this..." Esther 4:14

~Esther was undeterred through and by the deep connection her vessel shared with the Holy of Holies ( and this was before the Holy Spirit in the NT ;)

The Takeaways:

~Adoption has been a course of correction throughout history. Even the Roman Empire used it to stabilize bloodlines when heirs were unsuitable or absent. Augustus, who was adopted by Julius Caesar. Secularly, this allows for the continuation of family wealth, lineage, and status, and religious rites. Spiritually, it has also been divinely orchestrated to fulfill our Common Creator's will for His people; those faithful to Him, His chosen. He corrects what man mucks up. He corrects the vered course of the bloodline by the adoption of another who possesses the experience, character, integrity, and deep connection to their Creator.

~Sometimes, the most unlikely to serve are those who have been strategically hidden away. While they are hidden away, they are learning and educating, they are being mentored, and they dedicate themselves to absorbing Truth. Often, completely unaware of the drive and purpose behind the dedication towards such things. When we live in the Spirit, this "drive" is perpetuated and walked out in obedience and in faith that it will be used for things yet not revealed.

~Esther stood up to fear more than once and was outnumbered every time. Part of her strength was not allowing fear to deter her purpose. Due to her obedience, she was rewarded on earth and I'm sure there after. Evil banks on our fears.

References: AncientFaith.com, Bible.com, TopicalBible.com, JWA.org, The Geneva Bible,