What we see here in chapter two of Esther is not an exciting episode of “Persia's Got Talent.” There is no romance here. As Esther is taken to the harem of the king, there is a lot of moral ambiguity and a lot of spiritual compromise. Our heroes seem more characterized by fear and worldliness as they are forced to deal with a governmental system that practices abduction and sexual enslavement. And yet, through them, we see that God's purpose is not thwarted by our sins and failings.