4 Inspiring Characteristics of Esther in the Bible

In this article, we will explore the characteristics of Esther in the Bible. These 4 qualities of Queen Esther will encourage you in your walk with the Lord and build healthy character traits and help in any leadership role. So, grab your Bible, and let’s begin…

A few years back I had a good friend write an article on 3 BIG Life Lessons from Esther. So, I thought why not dig more into the personhood of Esther.

The Bible story of Queen Esther is one that is inspiring and we can learn a lot that we can apply in our lives. Esther was an orphan and was raised by her cousin Mordecai, who took her in as his daughter.

She made it to the top list of the virgins who were to be presented to the king so that he could select a new queen. Esther won the heart of the king and he chose her.

The king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. – Esther 2:17

The story of Esther inspires us because God uses her and has her go from an orphan to a powerful queen. Hers is truly a story that shows us that God can take someone from a low position and place them in an influential position of power.

God had a purpose for putting Esther in a place of royalty. He wanted her to save her people from destruction.  

We can learn from the characteristics of Esther, and apply the lessons in our lives. Esther was a gracious woman who taught us that God uses us for the purposes of His kingdom.

4 Characteristics of Esther in the Bible (for Life and Leadership

All of the qualities we will look at are awesome to have and developed. But I want to also point out that these are also leadership qualities. So, if you are in a position of authority or leadership take special note of how these characteristics play an important role in leading others.

You are Esther now, a Persian star, and you will shine like the dawn in the king’s palace.

Jill Eileen Smith, Star of Persia: Esther’s Story

1.  Esther Character Trait: Being Caring

So Esther’s maids and eunuchs came and told her, and the queen was deeply distressed. Then she sent garments to clothe Mordecai and take his sackcloth away from him, but he would not accept them. – Esther 4:4

Esther was a caring woman who was concerned when Mordecai distress.

When her cousin Mordecai was weeping in sackcloth at the king’s gate, she was troubled. She sent him garments for him to wear since she heard that he was wearing sackcloth. This reflects her caring nature toward others.

Her caring nature is seen when Mordecai refused the garments that she sent him and she had to send one of her eunuchs to find out what the problem was (Esther 4:5). She wanted to know how she could be of help to Mordecai and alleviate his suffering.

I also, want to point out that Esther could have ignored Mordecai’s needs. She was now a queen and had a husband. She could have let her position, fame, and money make her feel above her cousin. But instead, she stayed kind and caring.

Like Esther, we can have a caring heart toward others and help meet their needs where we can. God calls us to help others as He has blessed us. We may not all have the capacity to help in the same way, but there is something we can do for another, no matter how small. This is extremely important if you are in a leadership position.

2.   Esther Character Trait: Being Courageous

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9

Mordecai sent a message to Esther and told her that her people were about to be annihilated at the command of Haman. He wanted her to go to the king and plead their case. Esther was reluctant at first because she knew that it was unlawful to approach the king without an invitation. It could mean death for anyone who tried.

Esther courageously approached the king and he extended the gold scepter to her. She had made up her mind that if she perishes for breaking the law and approaching the king, so be it. Luckily, the king welcomed her. We learn from this incident that we too can have the courage to face difficult situations knowing that God is always with us.

We need courage to do the work of the Lord, and we have to rise up and take a stand even when we face the threat of unpleasant consequences. God has commanded us in Joshua 1:9 to be strong and courageous and not give in to fear. His promise is that He is with us wherever we go. You will find that a lot of the things you fear will not even happen. When you act courageously, you break the hold that fear has over you.

3.   Esther Character Trait: Being Prayerful

Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai: “Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!” – Esther 4:15-16

Esther understood the power of prayer and fasting. She sought out God’s help before turning to anyone else. As much as she was the queen, she knew that God came first, and was an ever-present help she could rely on. She knew that what was impossible with man was possible with Him.

Esther called for the Jews and her maids to pray and fast with her before she approached the king to tell him of Haman’s plot to annihilate the Jews. She knew that she had to go to God first to clear the obstacles that stood in her way. She trusted in God’s power to help her when she was in need. 

We learn from Queen Esther that we should always go to God first in prayer because He is able to give us the breakthrough we need. When we pray, we invite God to intervene in our situation and help us with whatever we need.

We may be in positions of power in government, ministry, or the marketplace, but we still need God’s help more than anything. God is able to turn situations around and deliver us from those who seek our downfall.

4.   Esther Character Trait: Using Wisdom

Esther, a wise woman, knew she needed divine intervention to get through the task ahead of her: telling the king about Haman plotting to kill all Jews. She asked the king to come for a banquet she had prepared for him and Haman, and she would let him know what was on her mind then.

Esther did not tell the king the issue on the first day, she requested that he and Haman come for a banquet the following day, and she would tell him what she wanted. When both men came the next day, she informed the king that Haman wanted to kill her and her people.

Esther employed wisdom in dealing with the issue at hand. She started with prayer and fasting, then approached the king in a unique way. We can learn to handle difficult issues with wisdom and avoid arguments, strife, and other unpleasant behaviors, especially where we have been aggrieved.

We can have the wisdom and grace of Esther to hold ourselves back till the right moment to speak about an issue with the other parties involved.

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We can learn a lot from the characteristics of Esther in the Bible that will be helpful in our lives. Esther was a simple girl who always maintained her good character even as she became the queen. As you read her story, ask God to reveal to you what you can apply in your life. He will surely show you even more!

If you would like to share something God is teaching you, feel free to drop me a comment below. Sharing what God is doing in your life is a great way to encourage those around you!