Esther: True Beauty, Inside and Out (Esther 2:12-15 Devotional)

12 Now when the turn came for each young woman to go in to King Ahasuerus, after being twelve months under the regulations for the women, since this was the regular period of their beautifying, six months with oil of myrrh and six months with spices and ointments for women— 13 when the young woman went in to the king in this way, she was given whatever she desired to take with her from the harem to the king’s palace. 14 In the evening she would go in, and in the morning she would return to the second harem in custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch, who was in charge of the concubines. She would not go in to the king again, unless the king delighted in her and she was summoned by name.  15 When the turn came for Esther the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her as his own daughter, to go in to the king, she asked for nothing except what Hegai the king’s eunuch, who had charge of the women, advised. Now Esther was winning favor in the eyes of all who saw her. 

ESTHER 2:12-15 ESV 

Yesterday we learned that Esther had a beautiful figure and a lovely face.  She pleased Hegai, the king’s eunuch, and won his favor.  Not only Hegai like her but verse 15 also noted that Esther won favor in the eyes of all who saw her!  Esther was charismatic, but it would have been hard to keep her charisma if all she had was her outward appearance.  After all, Esther was not the only young woman with a beautiful figure and lovely face receiving beauty treatments and training in the king’s harem.  She must have had other outstanding features or characters that made her stand out.  Verses 13 and 15 provided some insight. 

When the young woman went in to the king in this way, she was given whatever she desired to take with her from the harem to the king’s palace.

Esther 2:13

When the turn came for Esther…to go in to the king, she asked for nothing except what Hegai the king’s eunuch, who had charge of the women, advised. Now Esther was winning favor in the eyes of all who saw her. “

Esther 2:15

While other young women would render themselves with gorgeous dresses, colors, jewels, and accessories they desired before seeing the king, Esther asked for nothing except what Hegai, the king’s eunuch, advised.  She was a modest and humble lady with a contented heart.  She was beautiful and appealing,  not only from the outside but more from the inside.  It was her inner beauty that outshone all other beautiful young girls.  

I still remember when I first met the mission team from Hong Kong 25 years ago.  They were a group of modest college students who came to Oakland to share the good news of Christ.  I did not know Jesus, nor did I know any of those brothers and sisters. Their appearances did not attract me when they first approached me.  But I loved hanging out with them!  They were welcoming, energetic, joyful, kind, and loving.  They might not have had the most trendy outfits on, but they clothed in something far better than any fashionable brand name.   They carried the most pleasing fragrance and rendered themselves with the best outfit – Jesus Christ. They modeled to me, a new believer back then, how I should adequately dress from the inside to represent Christ – to clothe in Jesus Christ. 

Can others see Christ when they see me?   

Our outward appearance is temporary, but our inside beauty is long-lasting. So as we pursue beauty on the outside, we should also seek beauty on the inside by building up a good character and personality.  

May the Lord clothe us in Jesus Christ and help us build up the fragrance of Christ.   May we carry His name well.

And when others see us, they can see Jesus. 

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