How would you like to spend a whole year at a spa for free? That is exactly what Esther got to do! All of the young, beautiful women in the entire kingdom were gathered and given beauty treatments for an entire year. After the year was up, the women were presented before the king so that he could choose his next queen (Esther 2:12). It sounds a bit like a beauty pageant, don’t you think?
It is said in Esther 2:7 that Esther “was lovely and beautiful.” (NKJV) Now, I know that most of you would have just continued reading, but I couldn’t. What did the writer mean? She was lovely and beautiful? Don’t these words mean practically the same thing? Well, I just had to find out so I did some investigating. The word “beautiful” basically means “qualities that delight the eye.” In other words, you just couldn’t help looking at her because she was so pretty.
The word “lovely,” on the other hand, means that Esther was full of love. She was loving, enjoyable and delightful. She sounds like the kind of person you would want to be around. It says in Esther 2:15 that she “obtained favor in the sight of all who saw her.” (NKJV)
You see, Esther was beautiful inside and out! It is not enough to be pretty on the outside – to wear nice clothes and jewelry or to look all put together. If you are full of bitterness and unforgiveness, or if you think you are better than everyone else, it will show. “…Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.” (Matthew 12:34, NKJV) Those around you will see the poison leaking out of you. But if you are so full of God (and God is love), then when others get near you, they will feel that love coming out of you. Those around you will see and experience the fruit of the Spirit of God through your life: love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control (Galatians 5:22). They will see that you are lovely and beautiful on the inside, as well as on the outside.
It was not just because of her looks and year of beauty treatments that caused Esther to win this beauty pageant. It says that the king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight; so he set the royal crown upon her head and made her the queen.
Beauty is only skin deep, but to be truly lovely, you must be full of love and full of God, for God is love.
Are you beautiful on the inside, as well as on the outside?
shineblog 
I love the story about Esther in the Bible. I loved the movie that came outtoo! I have taken Paula’s Class on Esther this time around and I am looking forward to it!! in our Ladies Day in Classes on Tuesday at WOLCC!