Three People from the Book of Esther

 There are many people in the book of Esther that we could learn more about; like King Ahasuerusus, Haman, Mordecai, Esther, and even the Jews. We can specifically learn about Queen Vashti in chapter 1, Mordecai in chapters 3-4, and Esther in chapters 2-4.

Queen Vashti

After reading chapter 1 it is revealed that Queen Vashti chose to disobey the order from the king when she is commanded to come. The king gets furious. It is interesting that she would disobey him like she did because in that time women were to always do what they were told. It was never their place to have an opinion or chose for themselves what they could and couldn't do. Because of those standards of the time there were consequences and she was removed as queen.

Mordecai 

The characteristics of Mordecai come to light in chapters 3-4. He was a Jew and people today and then saw him as an example of someone who would not worship Haman. When Mordecai was in the presence of Haman he did not bow like the others. Haman got angry. So to get satisfaction Haman ordered all the Jews in the kingdom. Because of the declaration of their death all the Jews grew closer to God, and to each other, by fasting and praying for their lives to be spared.

Esther

Then there is Esther in nearly the whole book of Esther, hence the books name! Esther was an amazing person. She came from a simple life and then was chosen to be the next queen. When she learned of her peoples destruction she knew she had to save them. With a lot to lose, her life and those of her people, she worked up the courage to talk to the King about the plan to kill her people, the Jews. The King had compassion and stopped the order. All of her people lived because of her courage.

Queen Vashti, Mordecai, and Esther all had courage to not let others rule their lives. They used their agency and values to guide them. In the end, if I do the same, everything will turn out the way it is meant to. That doesn't always mean the way I want it to end.