A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES
                                    
                                   BORN FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS PART IV

I, Esther, am getting used to living in the palace of king Xerxes.... I have been living here for some time now.... But I have not yet seen king Xerxes.... I am sure Hegai will know when I am ready to meet the king.... I trust him completely.... And I trust my seven maids who he has given to me as my companions.... We have no secrets from each other.... Apart from one secret.... They do not know that I am not Persian but Jewish.... The reason I have not told them that I am Jewish is because my cousin Mordecai has told me not to tell anyone of my origin.... Even the king does not know.... I haven't seen my cousin since I moved to the palace.... But he comes to the palace court yard every day.... He is worried about me... I usually send a message to him via a servant to let him know I am being taken care of very well.".... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that no-one knows Esther's background....


             ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                 BORN FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS PART IV

Over time Esther develops a close relationship with her seven maids but she has to keep secret the fact that she is not a Persian but is of Jewish descent as you can read in Esther 2:10-11

Esther had not revealed her nationality and family background because Mordecai had forbidden her to do so. Every day he walked to and fro near the courtyard of the harem to find out how Esther was and what was happening to her.

Esther's cousin Mordecai is eager to learn how Esther is doing but he cannot visit her in the palace. Neither can Esther see him outside the palace. All she can do is sending him messages via a servant. Moreover, her cousin has told her not to let anyone know that she is Jewish.