The book of Esther is full of many examples of leadership, drama, conflict, and redemption. One thing to look at is the character qualities of three key people: Esther, Mordecai, and God.

Esther was a woman who possessed great faith in God, and confidence. As a woman of great beauty, she didn’t lean solely on her position as the queen and love of the king. One way she showed confidence was by not taking anything with her of her own to the “contest” to become the queen (Esther 2:15). And obviously, she was willing to speak up to the king when doing so could mean her immediate death. Yet she displayed confidence and courage in doing just that. One way she showed faith was by asking her friends and family to fast and pray for three days prior to her approaching and speaking with the king without permission. In what ways can we all show that kind of faith and confidence in our daily lives?

Mordecai was a man of faith in God, a man of action, and a man of humility. He showed action in many ways, including stepping up to be the father for Esther (verse 2:7), saving the king from evildoers (verse 2:22), and telling Esther about the dangers the Jewish people were in (verses 4:7-8). Yet, even with all that action he displayed great humility when Esther gave him instructions on how he can help her and he followed her instructions (verse 4:17) and after saving the king he simply went back to his job at the gate, and then did it again after being celebrated (verse 6:12). His faith in God was evident by how he doesn’t bow to men (Haman) because of his loyalty to God (verse 3:2), that he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes when he heard the decry of Haman (verse 4:1). In what ways can we show greater humility, greater action, and greater faith in God?

God displays an attribute or characteristic in that He acts suddenly. In verse 6:1, he makes it so that the king cannot sleep and instead starts reading old chronicles. That act of God moving in the sleepless king’s life changed history forever. In what way can we look back (and wait for) God to act suddenly?