The modern day queen
If you’ve read any of my previous Created Woman blog articles, I like Bible stories with strong women leaders, like Queen Esther.
Esther did not have an ideal childhood. She had no mother or father and was considered a foster child. She could have lost all faith about her circumstances and let that bring her down, but she didn’t.
She was raised by Mordecai, her adopted father. She grew into a woman who carried herself well, dressed well and fashionably, and was beautiful inside and out.
Back then the rules and laws were stringent and strict. The Queen before Queen Esther was Queen Vashti, whom was married to King Xerxes. He called for Queen Vashti and for whatever reason, it’s not stated, she refused to go to him. Law during that time said that she must go to him when called. He sought counsel from elder men who recommended he get rid of her and replace her with a new queen. I know it sounds bazaar. Could you imagine your husband getting advice from the men in his family and they just say, “Replace her.” Yeah, neither could I!
Taking the elders’ advice, the king ordered all beautiful young single women to meet him, so he could find a new wife and queen. Vashti was commanded to never enter King Xerxes’ presence again and her royal position would be given to someone else.
Before the women could meet the king, they had to undergo a year of beauty treatments and preparations. The first six months of that time was spent with beauty treatments with oil of myrrh and the last six months was spent being beautified by perfumes and cosmetics. During that time, I’m sure they were also adorned with the most beautiful gowns of fine linen and jewelry of the most precious stones and metals. In King Xerxes’ home garden, in Esther 1:6 it is mentioned that it was decorated with white and blue linen, purple material, silver rings on marble pillars, couches of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl, and other costly stones. If his home was styled that lavishly, his queen had to have been the most beautiful woman in appearance, character, and fashion.
Esther was able to win the heart of the king and was chosen to be the queen.
She went from foster child to queen.
After becoming queen, she received blessings and favor wherever she went. Anything she petitioned to the king was granted. For instance, she petitioned for the Jewish people to not be murdered, since she was of Jewish descent and her adopted father wanted this as well. The man who wanted to kill all Jews during that time was put to death instead.
During the time of worship Queen Esther made sure her adoptive father had what he needed to be well dressed while he worshiped God. Esther 4:4b “She sent clothes for him to put on instead of his sackcloth, but he would not accept them.” She made sure to be well groomed and well dressed as well. Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall. Esther 5:1a
Do you know that you and I are the modern-day Queen Esther’s, due to being Christ’sambassadors? We can glorify God through our everyday fashion choices. Just like Queen Esther took great care of herself, had faith in God, and advocated for herself and others, you can do the same!
One way I personally choose to glorify God and express my faith through fashion is by wearing my big blingy gold and diamond cross pendant and necklace. Another way I would like to glorify God is by dressing up more often, even throughout the week. How about you sweet woman, how do you glorify God through your fashion?
Personal reflection:Offer 3 questions for readers to meet the goals and outcomes expected from this chapter. Questions must help reader identify a similar event they have personally experienced as well as steps they can take for better outcomes in the future.
In wIn what ways can you relate to Queen Esther?
How do you feel about being a modern-day Queen Esther?
What is one piece of item (clothing, shoes, hair, makeup, or accessories) you can add to your wardrobe that can honor God?
Esther 4:14b (NIV)
“And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”
