The Seven Friends Of Esther

Surely, if Esther lived in our times, she would have hit the Facebook friends limit by now.

She definitely would have had over 4999 friends on her Facebook friends list. Just imagine social media to have existed in the time before she wed the king; once she puts up her DP (display picture) on Facebook, thousands would be sending in friend requests; for the Bible records her to be beautiful and lovely.

Her status surely would have read;

Potential Queen of Persia

Causing many to wish to be her friend.

Hahaaa…

However, I was amazed to find that Esther surrounded herself with only seven maidens (other versions translates as maids, companions or friends)

“As a result of the kings decree, Esther, along with many other young women, was brought to the King’s Harem at the fortress of Susa and placed in Hegai’s care. Hegai was very impressed with Esther and treated her kindly. He quickly ordered a special menu for her and provided her with beauty treatments. He also assigned her seven maids specially chosen from the king’s palace, and moved her and her maids into the best place in the harem.” (NLT Esther 2: 8-9)

One of the things to be most mindful of during your season of preparation is the kind of people you surround yourself with.

You could argue it out and say, “So and so has no influence over me although I hang with them all the time,” but as scripture says, “Do not be deceived, bad company ruins good morals.”;

Hegai knew the truth of this scripture, which is why he made sure the people Esther surrounded herself with before she weds the king were ‘specially chosen”

Even as you are preparing yourself towards your goals and dreams for this life, who are you surrounding yourself with Queen?

Its appalling to QEP how one can claim to be a friend in the face and yet snigger and talk behind each others backs. There’s even been circumstances where people have been made bridesmaids to their friends wedding and yet, after and even sometimes during; they spew gossip about the wedding to any who will listen.

What kind of friend are you?

The kind who will pretend to care? The kind who will send tons and tons of WhatsApp messages; pretending to be a friend but once your curious ears are filled it takes forever to get even a hi from you?

What kind of friend are you?

I wondered why the number seven was used when it came to choosing Esther’s maidens and inspired to research, I came across the seven virtues which are Chastity, Temperance, Charity, Diligence, Patience, Kindness and Humility.

Let’s imagine Esther’s maidens (friends) were named, Chastity, Temperance, Charity, Diligence, Patience, Kindness and Humility respectively, shall we?

In the land of Persia; Esther is sitting on the cushion at her side of the Harem and she hears one of the other contestants, bragging about how she could easily get the king to fall in love with her.

“- I don’t know how on earth I am going to win this. How can the king possibly choose me? I don’t think I can do this!” squealed Esther, fear taking over.

“- don’t talk like that. Just stick to this and you will reap results. Be diligent in this.” said her friend Diligence.

“- but didn’t you just hear what she said? she said she’s going to sneak into the kings bedroom and have him know her before he choses who to wed-.”

“- surely, you are not thinking of doing same!” cried her friend Chastity.

“- but maybe that will help me-.”

“Be patient, Esther. Everything will work out.” chipped in Patience.

“- how can it? She’s saying she’s going to fill herself with wine and give some to him also before she-.”

“- have temperance, Esther.” Temperance moved to her side, stroking Esther’s hair.

“Everything will work out. Just move in charity and in kindness, okay?”

Esther blew her nose, nodding.

“Just remember to remain humble and God Himself will lift you up.” concluded Humility.

This is yet another QEP parable to bring to mind the kind of things to look out for in a friend. This in no way means your friends must be limited to only seven. They can be two and they can even be a 1000 but even as the number seven means ‘new beginning’ may the kind of friends God places in your life usher you successfully into every new beginning God has for you.

So, in your Queen Esther Preparation journey, be mindful of this and make it a lifestyle to be a good friend.

The Holy Spirit offers a friendship that lasts forever,

Jesus loves you and I do too,

Queens in Christ,
 ❤