Why? It is an inspirational story. "God may have placed you in this position for such a time as this." It is all about rising to the challenge to do what is right even if it might mean great personal risk.
> Why? It is an inspirational story.
Maybe so. Seeing how you asked, tho’ — here it is as I was taught:
> “God may have placed you in this position for such a time as this.”
That’s not quite what Esther 4:14 says, is it? In my Bible, God isn’t mentioned — at all, in the entire book. Moreover, subsequent writings are silent on it: Christ never cites it (he cites plenty of other OT writings tho’)
It is also clear that neither Mordecai nor Esther prayed for guidance or deliverance. Instead, they resorted to political intrigue to solve their problems.
So to interpret whether what was done was good or bad, we are left with using the rest of the Bible for guidance.
> It is all about rising to the challenge to do what is right even if it might mean great personal risk
It is also about seeking revenge against your enemies, which is not a lesson that Christ endorsed.
It is also the first instance in the Bible where the Jews saw fit to establish a holy day without God being involved in it. They did so again, I believe, for Hanukah.
Well, you asked! Ezra and Nehemiah are similarly problematic.