One night with the King

The movie of the same name, doesn't do full justice to a great story. Some of the acting is weak and the dialogue does not fully hold the story together. However, it still left me sobbing over an immensely courageous young woman whose actions spared the Jews and enabled us to inherit a vast legacy.

I sobbed deeply and lifted up my hands to God in thanks for an act that has been memorialised in the Jewish festival of Purim: which not only relates to the historic absolute of Esther (Hadassah), but also to many other moments of remarkeable deliverance by God.

Esther had a great sense of what the king wanted. She also pursued his heart, rather than his wealth or status. In her feisty, beautiful and inspiring way, she won the hearts of all, including the eunuchs who chaperoned her, her competition for the throne and, ultimately, her king.

But it was when her people were most threatened that her real beauty shone through. Her tough, remote, powerful king melted under her subtle, gracious influence. She broke through his aloof resolve, to reach the heart that once defined their marriage.

Though she should not have approached the king uninvited, she approached anyway, at great personal risk. What could have embarrassed the king, turned to her favour. She conquered the all-conquering purveyor of Persia. In a climactic moment of palace intrigue, she exposed Haman's ambitions for the throne and the anhihilation of her people. He was hung, but she was draped like a priceless necklace across the pages of history.

Never underestimate how much your life can count in the hands of God, when it takes a courageous stand at a momentous time. You too could become a history maker in the right hands, and the right time and place. You too could melt hardened hearts and turn leaders from disaster.

But, as I said to my sons in the moving afterglow of the movie, never lose touch of your heritage, for that is what defines your life purpose. Fighting for political issues or social causes is one thing, but to fight for the legacy handed down by countless generations of brave, inspired men and women, is a truly worthy cause. Never forget the rock from whence you were hewn and never lay down your sword, for our struggle shall not be in vain.

(c) Peter Eleazar at www.bethelstone.com