The in ESTHER stands for SEE...

Just because we see things with our eyes doesn’t always mean we see with our heart. Sometimes we can watch something happen - be right there in the middle of it - but not understand what really happened.

Some people don’t like the word “victim.” It makes them feel like they’ve contracted a disease they didn’t ask for. It make them feel weak and wimpy. It’s not good to wear a victim T-shirt all your life.

But it is important to understand that a child who has been abused is a victim of someone else’s sin. Abuse is never a victim’s fault.

The victim didn’t ask for it.
The victim didn’t want it.
It wasn’t the victim’s idea.
That child has been sinned against.

The Bible tells the story of a girl named Tamar, the beautiful princess daughter of King David. Tamar lived in a “blended” family with lots of half brothers and sisters. One half-brother, Amnon, liked her looks. He thought he was in love with her. But he was really “in lust” with her. (There’s a big difference.) He wanted to go to bed with her.

Amnon’s friend Jon was full of ideas. He whispered to Amnon, “Go to bed and pretend you’re sick. Ask your dad to send Tamar in to make chicken soup for you.”

The king should have known better. He should have protected Tamar. But he didn’t. He sent her to Amnon’s apartment. And Amnon grabbed her.

Tamar tried to get away from him. “Don’t do this awful thing!“ she whispered.

And then she cried out, “Where will I go in my shame?” But it seemed no one was listening. Certainly Amnon wasn’t listening. He was stronger than she was, and he raped her.

(The story of Tamar is told in 1 Samuel 13:1-22)

Suddenly Amnon’s “love” turned to hate. He told Tamar to get out.

Tamar was devastated. Her heart breaking, tears flowing, she tore her princess robe and put ashes on her head - her people’s custom in mourning a loss. The Bible tells us that she went away to “live as a desolate woman.” (I Samuel 13:1-22)

Tamar probably blamed herself. Maybe she said,

“I should have known better ...”
“I shouldn't have gone to his room ...”
“I should have screamed louder ...”