Connect Series: Difficult Circumstances

In our relationship series, Connect, we are looking at the lives of Bible couples and the issues they dealt with. This week, we look at the marriage of Xerxes and Esther, a couple who learned to connect while working through difficult circumstances.

When you meet someone, you usually want to know something about them. Here's some information on Xerxes and Esther:

How they met? Xerxes had relieved his wife, Queen Vashti, of her royal position after she refused to attend a banquet he had invited here to (Esther 1:10-12). Xerxes then held a beauty contest to find another queen and Esther was chosen (Esther 2:1-4).

What was she like? She was an orphan (Esther 2:7) who was lovely and beautiful (Judges 2:7).

What was he like? He had an anger problem (Esther 1:12) and was vindictive (Esther 1: 19, 20).  He also relied heavily, to his own detriment, on the counsel of those around him (Esther 1: 13-18).

What was their issue? Esther was a Jew and a captive in Xerxes' kingdom. There was a plot against the Jews led by Xerxes' right hand man, Haman.  Esther needed to communicate with Xerxes but that conversation had to occur properly to be effective (Esther 5: 1, 2).

How'd it end? By the providence of God, at risk to her own life, Esther had an opportunity ("for such a time as this", Esther 4:14) to represent her people before King Xerxes (Esther 5: 1-8; 7: 1-10). Xerxes trusted his wife enough to listen to her and as a result, the Jews were spared and King Xerxes' kingdom was strengthened (Esther 8: 1-17).