The Peasant Princess

00:00:00 Speaker 1: Previously on the chosen people. In the heart of the world's greatest empire. Power was not whispered. It was shouted from palace rooftops and poured into ornate goblets. And King Xerxes was not a man of half measures. 00:00:20 Speaker 2: Have you seen such a kingdom, such splendor? M M M, such a king? No, no, not a king. 00:00:38 Speaker 3: A god. 00:00:41 Speaker 2: Bring me Queen Bashidi. Tell her to wear her royal crown. Let my guests behold the jewel of Persia. 00:00:52 Speaker 4: My husband asks that I parade the symbol of my status before the court. 00:00:59 Speaker 3: Tell the king now. 00:01:01 Speaker 1: Hayman leaned over to Mamukan in the chaos and whispered in his ear, so only Mamukan could hear. 00:01:08 Speaker 5: Remind him who rules his house, or soon none will. 00:01:16 Speaker 2: A decree must be made, one that ensures this defiance is never repeated. Let Thashty be vanished, or have vanished, that is to say, let her name be struck from the annas of history. So it shall be Queen Vashiti shall be banished. 00:01:36 Speaker 1: And somewhere far from marble halls and golden thrones, an orphan girl would soon step into a story no one could. 00:01:47 Speaker 4: Imagine shallo, my friends from here in the holy Land of Israel. I'm your l Extein with the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, and welcome to the Chosen People. Each day we'll hear a dramatic story inspired by the Bible, stories filled with timeless lessons of faith, love, and the meaning of life. Through Israel's story, we will find this truth that we are all chosen for something great. So take a moment today to follow the podcast. If you're feeling extra grateful for these stories, we would love it if you left us a review. I read every single one of them, and if you're interested in hearing more about the prophetic, life saving work of the Fellowship, you can visit IFCJ dot Org. Let's begin. 00:02:41 Speaker 1: The feasts had ended, the banners had been folded, The echoes of laughter and indulgence faded, leaving behind silence and regret. King Xerxes returned from his campaign to find an empty throne room. The queen was gone, the court uneasy, and the nobles restless. Mamucan, the king's adviser, came to the king's side. He was eager for Xerxes to find an impressionable wife whom he and the other advisers could easily influence to their designs. 00:03:22 Speaker 2: My King, you were wise to banish that rebellious woman from the throne room. Truly you have evaded dishonor and dissension in this grad nation. 00:03:32 Speaker 1: Mamukan's eyes darted to Hayman, who hung back in the corner against a pillar. Hayman nodded for Mamukan to continue. 00:03:42 Speaker 2: We will find your new queen, one who will honor your commands as you rule this empire. Ah, isn't that easy, mem You can leave it to us, great one. 00:03:56 Speaker 6: Let beautiful young women be sought for the king and added to your harem. 00:04:02 Speaker 2: Let them be gathered from every province, and let the one who pleases you most be crowned Queen Vashti's place. 00:04:11 Speaker 1: This notion pleased King Xerxes, who gave Mamukin's order. Out across his one hundred and twenty seven provinces, the royal messengers galloped, carrying scrolls and reading the king's decrees. The surge had begun. In the heart of Susa, the capital of the Persian Empire, lived a man named Mordecai. He was a Jew, the descendant of exiles whose inheritance was land in the possession of foreigners. Stories of Israel captivated the longing hearts of his fellow refugee Israelites living in Susa. Mordecai longed for the homeland he had never seen, but he was a man of practicality first, sentimentality second. Mordecai labored to assimilate into Persian culture until he eventually secured an official position in the empire's judicial system, hearing the people's disputes and interpreting and applying the king's laws at the city gates. Mordecai did all this while keeping his Hebrew heritage discreet. It was at the city gate one day that he overheard the plans of the king. One of the other judges, a renowned gossip and busybody, saunted over, eager to spill the secrets he had. 00:05:38 Speaker 5: Learned, Judge Mordecai, good morning. Have you heard the latest news from the palace or the. 00:05:46 Speaker 2: Morning Judge as Arms, No, If. 00:05:49 Speaker 5: Not, well, let me be the first. 00:05:51 Speaker 2: To tell you. 00:05:52 Speaker 5: I imagine it will affect you more than the rest of us. 00:05:57 Speaker 1: Mordecai frowned in confusion, but knew Ajang would not leave him wondering for long. 00:06:05 Speaker 5: Well, the puppet master himself, Lord Mimukin, has been whispering in the King's ear about finding a new queen for King Xerxes. 00:06:15 Speaker 2: Is that so? 00:06:17 Speaker 5: Yes? Well, apparently mem you can has been eager to remind everyone who will listen that he suggested the oust queen Vashti. But now they need to fill the vacancy. Rumor has it they're sending beautiful young women from every province here to Sousa for the king. 00:06:37 Speaker 7: Aha. And I get the sense you think there's something nefarious to this search. 00:06:43 Speaker 2: For a new queen. 00:06:46 Speaker 5: Well, this sounds like a mem you can't scheme to me. Vashti was royal born, she's high brow with education and standards. Memucan hated that he couldn't control her. 00:07:00 Speaker 2: So he's sending for women in every province, noble born or not. 00:07:08 Speaker 5: Yes, precisely. I think he's hoping the king will select a young commoner who'll be too naive to interfere in politics like Vashti did, someone who will be so enraptured by being in a palace for the first time that she wouldn't second guess anyone. 00:07:26 Speaker 7: Interesting, And I wouldn't put it past member Ken or the other eunuchs close to the king. Eh, what you mentioned this would affect me more than most. 00:07:39 Speaker 2: What did you mean by that? 00:07:41 Speaker 7: I'm certainly no beautiful young candidate for the king's harem. 00:07:46 Speaker 5: But your ward esther is your uncle's daughter. Is that right? 00:07:52 Speaker 1: Mordecai's stomach dropped out. 00:07:54 Speaker 7: Yes, she's my cousin. But surely you don't think they would take for the king's home. 00:08:02 Speaker 5: I don't know, but the scale of the search sounded unprecedented. Just think though, what if she were chosen. 00:08:11 Speaker 7: To be the queen out of thousands of women, and the queen of King sexes in the clutches of his scheming, dangerous advisers. I can't think of a more perilous position in the whole kingdom. Even if she would just taken as a concubine, she would see the king what once ifat denied her husband and family of her own, then live out her life in isolation from her. 00:08:42 Speaker 5: People, her people. I had no idea you were so patriotic. Yes, it would be a different path than you envisioned for her, but it would be a great honor to be a wife of the King of Persia. 00:08:59 Speaker 1: Mordecai, the inside of his cheek masking frustration at his near slip. He had taken pains to make sure all the men he associated with at the city gate thought Esther was Persian, not Jewish, when he took her in as a child. When his uncle died, he forced her to adopt a Persian name in an attempt to conceal their heritage. Even though Mordecai wanted to protect her, he had always imagined she would marry a Jewish Man, one of their community. The thought of their people intermarrying with their oppressors made him uneasy, and the customs of their people forbade it. Esther wound her way through the crowded, narrow streets, the scent of freshly baked bread and ripe figs mingling with dust and sweat in the warm afternoon air. Her basket heavy with fresh fruit and fragrance spices tugged at her arm. The marketplace was too busy for Esther's liking. She longed for the quiet of the modest home she shared with her cousin Mordecai. She loved the stillness of their shaded courtyard, the rustle of olive branches, the comfort of familiarity. But for now she would endure the noise and bustle of the marketplace for just a little longer. As she stepped away from her last store, a commotion called her ear, the sharp cry of a royal messenger, rising above the din. 00:10:35 Speaker 6: Of the crowd. 00:10:37 Speaker 1: He stood on a raised platform in the wide square that opened before the palace gates, flanked by guards in gleaming bronze armor. Despite herself, Esther drifted closer. The messenger's voice rang out again, clear and commanding, echoing off the stone walls. The people pressed forward in anticipation. 00:11:00 Speaker 8: By order of King Xerxes, let every young woman of beauty be presented at the palace in susa. Fathers, uncles and brothers, bring forth your daughters, nieces and sisters. Come willingly, or be compelled, for from among these women, the King will choose his new queen to reign over Persia. 00:11:20 Speaker 1: Esther raised her eyebrows in surprise, and then she noticed that the soldiers had been scanning the crowd. When the palace servants ceased speaking, they dispersed through the crowd, surely speaking with the fathers about their eligible daughters. Enforcing the order of the king. Hester chuckled softly in disbelief to herself at the notion of this mandatory beauty contest OF's swords, but she nonetheless pulled the scarf covering her hair down onto her forehead. She readjusted the basket in the crook of her arm and turned away from the square, already creating a mental list of what she would do when she got home, the first of which was to steep a pot of tea from the fresh herbs in her basket before preparing. 00:12:08 Speaker 3: The evening meal. 00:12:12 Speaker 9: Just think, if I were queen, someone else could make my tea and prepare my meals. 00:12:18 Speaker 1: Esther mused about living in a palace as she skirted around the crowds pressing in the opposite direction, many mothers and fathers pulling their daughters along to go before the palace representatives. If women were being submitted to the crown willingly, then perhaps the search would need not continue. She wondered what Mordecai thought of all this, as if her thoughts summoned him, his voice suddenly cut through the noise of the crowd. Easter oyster Esther turned and looked and was surprised yet again to see the familiar face of her cousin, Mordecai, rushing toward her through the throng of people. 00:12:59 Speaker 9: What is it, It's all right, I'm here. 00:13:04 Speaker 5: Catch your breath, hesther. 00:13:06 Speaker 2: Have you heard the King's decree? Yes? 00:13:10 Speaker 6: Can you even imagine? 00:13:12 Speaker 1: Mordecai grasped her elbow and made to pull her deeper into the crowded, narrow streets of the market, when a dark shadow fell over them. Both Esther lifted her eyes and saw two men towering above them, a soldier in gleaming armor, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword, and beside him a eunuch dressed in richly embroidered robes, the unmistakable mark of the Palace on every fold of his attire. Mordecai tracked her gaze and looked over his shoulder at the pair of men. The color drained from his face, but he steeled himself and addressed him Morde. The eunuch gave Mordecai a solemn nod, but his eyes lingered on Sae, cold, calculating her, praising her as though she were a piece of livestock at market. His companion followed suit, his gaze bolder, hungrier, roaming over her body beneath the light summer gown and cloak. Heesther shifted her weight, her palms damp and cheeks flushed. But there was nowhere to go, nowhere to hide. At last, the eunuch's eyes settled on her face, unreadable. His companion's gaze did not. It remained on her body, making Esther's skin crawl. She felt Mordecai stiffened defensively beside her. In response, and then, without so much as acknowledging her presence, the eunuchs spoke, addressing Mordecai as if she were invisible. 00:14:53 Speaker 3: George, Mordecai, you weren't thinking it's no woman for the Oh you you seem to. 00:15:03 Speaker 2: Go too late. 00:15:04 Speaker 1: That was Mordecai's heart pounded. This was her guy, the keeper of the women. It was this man who hands selected and prepared all the young women to meet with the king. Some would become concubines, others turned away, and one would be crowned queen, all by his hand. If Esther's fate was already set and she was to go before the King, her guy's influence would steer the outcome. Mordecai sighed and did his best to summon his politician's smile. 00:15:43 Speaker 2: Of course, not Lord hay Guy, as you can imagine as a city official. I am, of course eager to answer the command of my king, but I did want a moment with my cousin Esther to say goodbye. I have no wife or children of my own, you see, and when Esther's parents died, she was just a child. I raised her as my own. 00:16:09 Speaker 6: And she's all the family I have. 00:16:12 Speaker 2: You could find no one more obedient or loyal, with a more caring and gentle heart anywhere in Persia. 00:16:21 Speaker 1: Mordecai's heart nearly broke in two as he glanced at Esther. He watched her eyes widen and her face pale as understanding dawned. Esther was so young and naive to the ways of the world. Her world had been the quiet streets of the Jewish quarter and the familiar rhythm of the market place, and she was content with that small world. Her Guy's gaze softened as he glanced between them. Perhaps it was mercy, perhaps it was divine favor. He gave a small nod. 00:16:57 Speaker 3: I understand, I remember the day I was taken from my own family into the king's service. Say your goodbye and bring her to the palace within the hour. And Judge Mordecaie, do not mistake this kindness, O leniency. 00:17:18 Speaker 2: I will expect her there. 00:17:20 Speaker 6: Of course, Lord hey g II, thank you. 00:17:23 Speaker 1: Esther barely noticed the two men slipping back into the crowd, or Mordecai taking the basket from her hand and wordlessly guiding her through the streets to their home. The familiar streets blurred around her, sounds and colours muted, distant. Only when the door closed behind them, with a soft snap, sealing out the hum of the market place she had always loved, did the tears break free. Mordecai set the basket aside and pulled her into his arms. She wept into his shoulder, and he held her close, his hands steady, though his breath trembled. The name was like an embrace in and of itself, for Hardassa was Esther's Jewish name, a name that Mordecai never let her use in public, in front of the Persians. No to the world she was Esther Hadassa. Esther feared this may be the last time she heard it on someone else's lips, for when would she ever come back here? When would she return to the people she loved? The word hung heavy in the air, charged with a lifetime of meaning and now anticipated loss. And then Mordecai pulled away to look her in the eyes. 00:18:47 Speaker 6: Yessir, Esther, you must. 00:18:51 Speaker 9: Go and leave everything I know, my home, our people. 00:18:57 Speaker 2: You yes, you heard, hey guy. There's nothing we can do that would not disobey the word of the king, and. 00:19:06 Speaker 9: The King's word is law. 00:19:08 Speaker 1: Mordecai and Esther both chuckled weakly after all their tears, at Esther's familiarity with all of Mordecai's sayings. Mordecai's smile quickly waned, though, as he then urgently sought to arm his adopted cousin with all the knowledge he had before he would have to surrender her over to the palace. 00:19:30 Speaker 2: That man, Hegui, I do not know him well, but you must find favor with him. 00:19:36 Speaker 6: He is the keeper of the King's women. He will prepare you to appear before the king. 00:19:42 Speaker 9: Prepare prepare how I do. 00:19:46 Speaker 2: Not know exactly, but he will have a say in which women will go before the king and which ones will. 00:19:52 Speaker 6: Be sent away. 00:19:54 Speaker 9: If I am sent away. Could I come back here? 00:19:57 Speaker 6: I do not think it would be wise to be sent away. I do not know what happens to the women who do not please the king. No Esther like it or not. This is the past you must walk now. You do not know where it leads, but you must have courage. Tell no one of your heritage. Tell no one you are a Jew. 00:20:21 Speaker 2: Do not give them any reason to cast you out or set you aside. And tell no one that you know me either. Don't give them any clues about your past. It is safer that way. 00:20:35 Speaker 1: Esther nodded dutifully at her cousin's words and tried to summon the courage she spoke of, but found that inside she just felt small and scared. 00:20:46 Speaker 9: Will I ever see you again? 00:20:47 Speaker 1: Mordecai did not want to lie or give false hope. Often the concubines of kings were not permitted to leave the palace grounds. But admittedly Mordecai I did not know a lot about the inner workings of the king's wives. Why would he ever have needed to. 00:21:06 Speaker 2: I will try and visit you in the palace courtyard if I can, or send. 00:21:10 Speaker 6: Messages if that is permitted. But we must be careful who we place our trust in. 00:21:16 Speaker 2: There are very few you can trust within the palace wards. Even the servants could be spies, and nobles are almost never trustworthy. You don't rise to high positions in Persia without compromising your morals. 00:21:33 Speaker 6: Be very careful, my dear Esther, listen and observe. 00:21:38 Speaker 2: People's words may deceive you, but their actions rarely do. 00:21:44 Speaker 6: Do not become likened. Hold fast to your integrity. 00:21:49 Speaker 2: Not place your trust in the greedy hands of another. Be wise, be cautious. 00:21:58 Speaker 1: Esther dabbed her eyes eyes and tried to put on a brave face, but fear betrayed her. Mordecai took up her hands, steadying her trembling fingers in his own. 00:22:11 Speaker 2: Listen to me, Esther, I know this feels like exile within Exilebos you were made from war. 00:22:19 Speaker 9: With in her life on the streets, I never wanted more. 00:22:23 Speaker 7: Sometimes war finds us, whether we ask for it or not, and when it does, only wile forward in faith and courage. 00:22:35 Speaker 2: Remember you do not walk alone. The God of our people goes with you. Oh you bear a foreign name, and keep your heritage as secret. 00:22:48 Speaker 6: You will always carry the heart of our people within yours. 00:22:54 Speaker 1: Esther took a shaky breath, understanding that her world was suddenly expanded, beyond anything she'd ever imagined, and far beyond anything she'd wished for. 00:23:06 Speaker 7: Remember what I've told you, speak little, observe much kind, not name. 00:23:14 Speaker 2: And trust. 00:23:16 Speaker 7: Trust that what you can't see yet to me one day make sense. 00:23:24 Speaker 1: Esther nodded, pressing her forehead briefly to his shoulder. 00:23:28 Speaker 9: I will make you proud. 00:23:30 Speaker 1: Mordecai swallowed hard, fighting back a fresh wave. 00:23:34 Speaker 2: Of tears you already have. 00:23:41 Speaker 1: Esther walked in silence, with the trickle of other young women deposited there by their fathers or guardians, toward the palace gates. With each step, the streets of her childhood fell away behind her. The towering stone walls of the Royal Palace loomed ahead, a world of wealth, ambition, and danger she had never touched. The gates creaked open, her guy stood waiting, arms folded, face impassive. Esther felt her heart pound, but she kept her head low. She would do as Mordecai had instructed. Listen, observe, stay true. Weeks turned to months. The palace was its own universe, white, stone columns towering overhead, and gilded mosaics glinting in the candlelight. The scent of jasmine and mrr lingered in the air, heavy and sweet. Girls from every province, terrified, hopeful, shuffled through corridors too grand for them. Some tried to charm the attendants. Some wept in corners, others plotted. Esther kept her eyes lowered. She did not clamor did not beg She listened and watched. She did not compromise her integrity. Her guy noticed, you. 00:25:11 Speaker 3: Ask for nothing extra, no jews, no suits. 00:25:15 Speaker 9: I trust your experience. Whatever advice you give to us to stand before the king will suffice. 00:25:22 Speaker 1: He gave her a look she could not read, then nodded, you are different. To Esther's surprise, Shortly after that encounter with the enigmatic Hugui, Esther was moved to the finest quarters for the king's concubines and gifted seven attendants to wait on her. She had no idea what she had done to gain the man's favor, but she attributed it to the favor of the God of her people, for who else would be guiding her path here in the palace where she was all alone, and at long last, the night came. Nearly a year of carefully following the diet her guy gave her, nearly a year of stringently applying the perfumes and cosmetics as her guy instructed, and it was finally here, the night Esther would be presented before the King. One by one, the girls before her had gone before him, and one by one they returned and retired to the harem of concubines, forgotten names, fading faces. Esther sat alone in her chamber. Her heart pounded like a drum, but her face was calm. Esther closed her eyes, no words, just a whisper of hope, carried on a breath. When she was called, she rose, smoothing her simple gown as she stepped forward. No excess, no gold, just dignity. At the massive doors, she paused. The God swung them open with a groan that echoed down the hall. She took one breath, one step, and left behind the girl from the market place. She was stepping into the unknown, but she would not step in fear, and she did not tremble. When she entered the room, the King's breath caught. He had seen beauty in thousands of different ways, but this, this was different. She did not dazzle, She calmed, She did not sparkle. She steadied the room. She had a quiet, unassuming confidence that made her rich brown eyes shimmer beneath her veil. Her porcelain skin was radiant and smooth over her high, elegant cheek bones, and her lips curved into an infectious, shy smile. The king could not help but smile in response, tell me your name. Esther kept her eyes downcast or alluring, as her guy had called it, and answered her King, I am called Esther my Keith. And so the orphan girl, the peasant princess, became Queen of Persia. But beyond the silks and splendor, destiny stirred. Her story, far bigger than palaces or crowns, was beginning to unfold. She had been chosen, But what lay ahead would demand more than beauty. It would demand a courage she had not yet imagined. 00:28:50 Speaker 4: If your faith has been kindled by this podcast and it has affected your life, we'd love it if you left her of view. We read them, and me personally, I cherish them. As you venture forth boldly and faithfully. I leave you with the biblical blessing from numbers six ivare Hashem Vischmerechra Yeah Heir hashempanave Elehra rocher ye sa Hashempanavelehra Salon. May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face shine upon you. May he be gracious to you. May the Lord turn his face towards you and give you peace. 00:29:32 Speaker 3: Amen. 00:29:34 Speaker 1: You can listen to the Chosen People with Isle Exstein add free by downloading and subscribing to the pray dot Com app today. This prey do dog comproduction is only made possible by our dedicated team of creative talents. Steve Katina, Max Bard, Zach Shellavaga and Ben Gammon are the executive producers of the Chosen People with Yaile Exstein, edited by Alberto Avilla, narrated by Paul colto Fu. Characters are voiced by Jonathan Cotton, Aaron Salvado, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan, Stephen Ringwold, Sylvia Zaradoc, Thomas Copeland, Junior, Rosanna Pilcher, and Mitch Leshinsky, and the opening prayer is voiced by John Moore. Music by Andrew Morgan Smith, written by Aaron Salvado, bre Rosalie and Chris Baig. Special thanks to Bishop Paulinier, Robin van Ettin, KAYLEB Burrows, Jocelyn Fuller, Rabbi Edward Abramson, and the team at International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. 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