Good evening brethren and happy Sabbath!

International Women's Day

This past Thursday, March 8th, was International Womens' Day.  What exactly is that?  From an article from Forbes magazine that can be found here, International Women's Day is designed to "celebrate the achievement and contributions of women around the world, who have played a role in shaping our history."  In essence, the day is set aside to celebrate the often overlooked accomplishments of women the world over.

You may have noticed some of the news stories highlighting the day.  From science, to art, to politics, many women have played key roles in our world's development!

Women of the Bible

As I read over the stories of significant works of various women, I couldn't help but think of all the ways women have served in the Bible.  From the song Miriam sang when Israel came out of Egypt, to the time Deborah served as judge, to the raising of Jesus Christ by His mother, Mary, there's no doubt that God has lifted up women to accomplish His work throughout the Bible!

One that stands out is the story of Queen Esther.  After becoming Queen in the king's court, Esther soon finds herself in the middle of rather troubling situation.  In Esther 3:13 (NKJV), we read of a plot that King Ahasuerus, Esther's husband, had been tricked into by Haman, "And the letters were sent by couriers into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all the Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, and to plunder their possessions."

This was no small problem!  This wasn't a simple raid to get their stuff, it was a plot "to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all the Jews."  Although Esther found herself in the safety of the King's palace, she knew that many of her family and loved ones would soon be in mortal danger.  Without intervention, the Jewish people of her homeland would soon be completely wiped out.

A very important accomplishment

While Esther might have been Queen, in the ancient world, she would have held very little power.  After all, though her husband was gracious to her, he hadn't dealt so kindly with the previous queen, Vashti (see Esther 1).  It was important that she approach the situation carefully, and with humility.  Esther 8:5-6 tells us, "If it pleases the king, and if I have found favor in his sight and the thing seems right to the king and I am pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to revoke the letters devised by Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to annihilate the Jews who are in all the king's provinces. For how can I endure to see the evil that will come to my people? Or how can I endure to see the destruction of my countrymen?"  Moved by his wife's words and attitude, the King intervened to help save the Jewish people who were indeed saved from destruction.

The story of Queen Esther highlights an important principle:  People - whether men or women - can accomplish great things when they humbly serve God and consider the needs of others before themselves!