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What positive character traits does Esther exhibit and how does she demonstrate those qualities?
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Esther exhibited courage from the time she is introduced in the story. She was a very young woman when her story begins. She is taken from the home of her guardian to the great palace in Susa along with many other young women. She had to have courage to endure and make the best of this experience.
Esther was obedient to those put in authority over her. This began with her guardian Mordecai. He was the one who raised her and cared for her after the death of her parents. She listened to him and did as he told her to do. This happened even after she was queen. She was obedient to the eunuch who was in charge of the king’s concubines. She was obedient to the king. Even though she was queen, she still had to obey his rules. She obeyed protocol in her approach to the king and did not burst into his presence uninvited.Esther was faithful to her religion and her culture. We don’t know how much of her upbringing was based upon Jewish culture and how much was devoted to God, but she was faithful to the values she’d been taught and she was faithful to her family and people.
Esther was wise. She was wise to recognize those who had her best interest in mind and those who meant her and her people harm. Her plan with dealing with Haaman showed wisdom. If she had just confronted him, there was the possibility that things could go very wrong. The way she dealt with this arrogant, evil man just lets him destroy himself.
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She showed courage…using what she had available to her to help others. She showed that she was obedient and did what she was told (ch 2). Everytime she approached the king, she also seemed to be humble. Sbe knew he was in charge and so respected that…whether out of fear or love, we are not told. I imagine that is the way it was for women in that society.
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A person whom one could rely on – Esther. Faith in her God, although not mentioned, but true to her home nation.
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She had quiet courage, devoted to her people, and endangered her own life by going to the king when Haman was going after the Jews in Persia.
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She demonstrates love for her people and courage in going before Xerxes when she had not been summoned. She put her people and faith in God before her own safety.