Brief summary, reflection, and lessons learned from "The Beautiful Queen of Persia"

 

 THE BEAUTIFUL QUEEN

OF PERSIA

BRIEF SUMMARY

    King Ahasuerus who ruled the throne of Persia puts her Queen Vashti away because she did not obey her. The King ordered to search for beautiful women all throughout the kingdom as a replacement for Vashti. At that time, the Jews were living in Persia, and there is this beautiful woman named Hadassah or Esther who was raised by Mordecai, also a Jew. When the King saw Esther, he knew she was the one.

    On the other hand, there is this man named Haman who rose to great power in the Kingdom. He who hate all Jews and made a law that all the Jews will be killed. Anyone who can kill a Jew can have gold and silver garments. Mordecai and Esther are Jews, so Mordecai asked Esther to beg the King to protect her people. Queen Esther asked the King about it and told the truth that Haman was the one who ordered such cruel law. The King got mad and ordered to hang Haman and his family.

    Queen Esther successfully protected the Jews and Mordecai take over Haman’s place. Instead of the sorrow of death on the thirteenth and twelfth month, the Jews had a celebration of victory. This feast has been held on that day every year since then. It is known as the Purim holiday. The Jewish people recited the story of Esther, the beautiful queen, at that feast.

REFLECTION AND LESSONS LEARNED

          The story of Esther is proof that the world is a diverse community of good and evil. Just like in our life, we all encounter those kinds of attitudes wherein they are running for power and is envious of other people’s achievement. King Haman represents those people who are selfish. He is racist and evil in all of his ways. He shows how disrespectful and boastful he is but evil cannot overpower the good. Queen Esther represents an ideal leader that every nation should have since she possessed the character of bravery, selflessness, merciful, kindness, and love to her people. In addition, Mordecai and the Jews are examples of good citizens and the Lamb of God. Prayers are their weapon towards fighting for their rights.

We are also dependent on the promises of God. I also see myself as one of the Jews who trusted God because through night and day, and all my ways, I acknowledge God as my savior towards those people who are evil. Here are the lessons I have learned from the story of Esther:

• Evil will not succeed against the good.
• Beauty is passing but a woman who delights in God will endure.
• God draws nearer to those who ask for Him.
• Unity will make things possible.
• A great leader makes sacrifices for her people.
• Don’t lose hope
• Even a woman can make changes in society too.