confronting Thyself
*Note: “G-d” is written with a hyphenation to honor the Jewish custom of respecting His Holy Name.
As we celebrate Women’s month, I’d like to highlight one of the most courageous women in the Bible: “Hadassah, that is Esther” (Esther 2:7). The hidden meaning behind her two names, Hadaasah and Esther, speaks to a theme I’d like to call “Confronting thyself.”
Hadassah, means “myrtle” which is symbolized by the color green, representing growth and vitality. It reflects the growth on how she blossomed into the woman Our Heavenly Father predestined and called her forth to be. Though She was destined to be queen, this was not a part of her ORIGINAL plan, nor did this transformation happen overnight. Esther had to undergo a period of preparation , during which G-d cultivated the ground for her arrival as he set the stage for His hidden hand to be revealed.
As In the beginning, G-d created vegetation to provide for mankind, He also chose “Hadassah, that is Esther” as “a repairer of the world” in her generation . She was selected to be the voice that would ultimately save her people. “Esther” in Hebrew means “to be hidden” and In the book of Esther, G-D’s name is also hidden. He was the Master chess player, making every move behind the scenes, and esther would be his star player to win the game against the opposing player.
In a time when women’s voices were silenced and the death penalty was capital punishment for disrespecting one’s husbands, Esther had chosen not to be comfortable staying silent in the palace. Her destiny was to speak out boldly against injustice and be the answer her people needed. By confronting her own fears, her obedience became the turning point which led to the turnaround that led to victory.
What fears must you face in this season to be the answer in your generation? What character traits are required for you to be who G-d has called you to be?
As you read the book of Esther, you will see the hand of G-d turn a young and passive girl (Hadassah) and transform her into a brave and obedient hero (Esther). G-d chose Esther when it seemed there was no hope yet He had a greater plan in mind than anyone would have suspected. Similar to Joseph in the Bible, what was meant for evil was turned around for good.
In Esther 9:22 it states: “As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day; that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.”
Just like Esther was charged with a mission that seemed beyond herself, you too are entrusted with a special mission from heaven above. This is not a time to remain silent but a time to be a voice for this generation. Through prayer, obedience, and your willingness to confront yourself, I encourage you to lay down any fears and opinions that might hinder you from surrendering to the greater call that lives inside of you. It may not come easy “…yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14)