Here are my thoughts and highlights from Esther as I continue my journey through the Bible:

  • At one point, King Xerxes sent seven eunuchs to invite his wife, Queen Vashti, to join him for a party. Can you believe that? He sent a bunch of castrated men to ask his wife out on a date. If you ask me, that’s a good indication that the seven eunuchs weren’t the only guys without balls.
  • Later on, Xerxes established a decree throughout the kingdom indicating "Every man is master of his own house; whatever he says, goes." At which point King Xerxes grabbed a beer, plopped down in his Barcalounger and flipped on the football game.
  • The man that raised Esther was named Mordecai. Best name in the Bible.
  • The Xerxes shenanigans just get worse. He would only accept women in his harem after they completed 12 months of beauty treatments. The women had to be treated for six months with oil and myrrh followed by six months with perfumes and cosmetics. (Insert your own joke here.)
  • Xerxes promoted a man named Haman, making him the highest ranking official in the government. Haman wanted to kill all the Jews including Mordecai. Ultimately, Queen Esther takes quite a stand and reveals Haman’s evil plans. Esther was beautiful, but she also was very intelligent and used her leadership position to protect God’s people. As a result of Esther’s actions, Mordecai ended up replacing Haman and worked to protect the peace and prosperity of his people.