Esther made queen.
History records many strange vicissitudes of fortune. The beggar is raised from the dunghill to the palace; the wealthy is brought to poverty; those once flattered and caressed are forgotten or despised. In Scripture history the Arab sheik becomes the father of nations; the boy sold into bondage becomes the prime minister of the greatest of states; the deserted babe becomes the mighty leader of a people; the shepherd lad becomes the renowned king of Israel. And Esther, the poor orphan, adopted by the despised Mordecai, becomes the successor to Vashti, and the queen of Ahasuerus, king of Persia.
I. We have in Esther's exaltation AN INSTANCE OF THE UNCERTAINTY AND MUTABILITY OF HUMAN LIFE. Here how true it is that "nothing continueth in one stay!" As the ancients figuratively expressed it, "Fortune is ever turning her wheel." We know that the hand of a wise and overruling Providence is manifest to the eye of faith in all the changes which occur in human life. We should learn not to think too much of circumstances, but to seek in every state to be content, and to be ready to profit spiritually by all events, and to turn every position in which we are placed into an opportunity for serving and glorifying God.
II. Elevation to a high position is AN EFFECTIVE TEST OF CHARACTER. There are some weak and worthless natures which cannot endure when put thus to the proof. Such persons when raised to a lofty station forget, despise, or disown former friends. Other and nobler natures are benefited by promotion. Such persons retain kindly recollection of former associates, carry with them into new positions the ancient sympathies, even enlarged and refined, and, above all, retain the sweet grace of humility. Esther forgot not the friend of her youth, forgot not the people from whom she had received her knowledge of the true God. And she demeaned herself with the exquisite grace of lowliness when exalted to a throne.
III. Exaltation may bring with it OPPORTUNITIES OF ENLARGED USEFULNESS. Every station in life affords scope for serving our fellow-men. But a station of eminence and authority has pre-eminent advantages of this kind. Noble natures value rank chiefly for this reason, that it imparts facilities to public services. To Esther there came one great and signal opportunity of serving her kindred and nation, an opportunity for which she was indebted to her position as consort of the king of Persia. And she did not neglect to avail herself of the opportunity thus placed within her reach.
IV. Elevation to power may LEAD TO THE ENJOYMENT OF WIDE-SPREAD GRATITUDE AND AFFECTION. Esther used her position in such a way that she has been held by the nation she rescued from ruin in lasting and grateful remembrance. Those who employ power for self-aggrandisement will, by just minds, be contemned; but all who toil "not for their own, but for their people's good," will have their record in the grateful hearts alike of contemporaries and of posterity.