Esther
Category: Courageous intercession & risk of life
Could avoid: Hide her Jewish identity, live safely as queen.
“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish.” (Esther 4:14)
Cross-Refs: Matthew 16:25; John 12:25.
Chose: Approached the king uninvited, risking death.
“I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” (Esther 4:16)
Cross-Refs: Daniel 3:18; Luke 9:24.
Endured: Fear, danger, the burden of responsibility.
“On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace.” (Esther 5:1)
Cross-Refs: Joshua 1:9; Hebrews 11:33–34.
Why: Loved her people and trusted God’s providence.
“For such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14)
Cross-Refs: Romans 8:28; Acts 17:26.
Result: Jews preserved, Haman destroyed, festival of Purim established.
“The Jews took it on themselves to establish the custom… And these days of Purim should never fail.” (Esther 9:27–28)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 124:1–2; Revelation 12:11.
Mordecai
Category: Integrity & steadfast faith under pressure
Could avoid: Bow to Haman and avoid trouble.
“But Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honour.” (Esther 3:2)
Cross-Refs: Daniel 3:12; Acts 5:29.
Chose: Remained faithful to God alone.
“Day after day they spoke to him but he refused to comply.” (Esther 3:4)
Cross-Refs: Exodus 20:5; Psalm 119:23.
Endured: Haman’s wrath, decree of destruction, personal danger.
“Haman looked for a way to destroy all Mordecai’s people, the Jews.” (Esther 3:6)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 37:12–13; John 16:33.
Why: Trusted God’s providence and covenant promises.
“Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem.” (Esther 10:3)
Cross-Refs: Genesis 50:20; Romans 8:28.
Result: Honoured, preserved his people, instituted Purim.
“He worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews.” (Esther 10:3)
Cross-Refs: Proverbs 29:2; Philippians 2:4.
The Jews (as a People)
Category: Collective endurance under persecution
Could avoid: Assimilate into Persian culture, abandon their faith.
“Dispatches were sent… to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews.” (Esther 3:13)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 44:22; John 15:20.
Chose: Fasted, prayed, and stood firm together.
“Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me.” (Esther 4:16)
Cross-Refs: Joel 2:15–17; Acts 12:5.
Endured: Fear of extermination, hatred of enemies.
“In every province to which the edict was ordered, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping and wailing.” (Esther 4:3)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 79:8–9; Hebrews 11:35–38.
Why: Believed deliverance was in God’s hands.
“For if you remain silent… deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place.” (Esther 4:14)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 46:1; Isaiah 54:17.
Result: Delivered from destruction, celebrated Purim.
“For the Jews it was a time of happiness and joy, gladness and honour.” (Esther 8:16)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 30:11; Revelation 7:14.