Esther 2

Now when the turn came for Esther the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her as his daughter, to go in to the king, she requested nothing but what Hegai the king’s eunuch, the custodian of the women, advised. And Esther obtained favor in the sight of all who saw her... The king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.  vv.15-17

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Can you imagine the pressure of this beauty contest for the king to judge?  Most likely all the women, taken or volunteered we don't know, for this "beauty contest" are Persian women except for Esther who was a Jew but kept that quiet since Jews were a hated minority at this point in history.  Esther we're told was beautiful and won the favor not just of the king but of Hegai, who had charge of the Harem, and all who saw her.  Yet she didn't just win the favor because she was physically pretty.  She had God on her side and His wisdom.  No doubt God was raising her up to save her people as we will see throughout the book of Esther.  Having God in ones life is alluring to others whether they can tell it's God or not that is drawing them to a person.  Beauty doesn't win a eunuch's favor since eunuchs are typically emasculated, so there must have been something of Esther's character that pleased him.  Then we see the wisdom Esther has in pleasing the king to win his favor.  She doesnt do what would please her most but what would please him most.  She asked someone who knew the king what he likes.  Whether she chose to be a part of this beauty contest or not, Esther didn't kick and scream about this ridiculous man driven contest or become like the women around her, she was poised, wise with a godly spirit.  How can you choose to be different and not conform to the people around you no matter how dark and hard of a situation or culture you might be in?  Do you have God's inner beauty?  How has it won you or others favor?  Have you been allured by the beauty of others inside and out?  What was it that was so alluring?