Intersection Column | Nothing Is Impossible with God

by Tessa Afshar

I had never heard of Esther growing up, which is ironic since I was born in the land where this Jewish woman became the queen of a vast Gentile empire. For nearly fourteen years I studied the grandeur of Persian kings, yet this extraordinary woman remained a mystery to me.

It wasn’t until I moved to the United States and embraced Christianity that I read the Bible for the first time. That was my introduction to Esther and the biblical world of the Persian era.

When I conceived Queen Esther’s Court series, I knew I wanted to capture Esther’s world more vividly for the readers rather than retell Esther’s specific story. The series explores the lives of three fictional women, each with an unusual occupation, who forge a profound friendship with Esther. Of course, we occasionally hear from Esther through her “secret scrolls.” But the central characters are the women.

The second book in the series, The Royal Artisan, follows a Jewish potter in Susa who risks everything to help her queen. Oh, and in the midst of trying circumstances, she finds her second chance at love. Like my other novels, you will find a strong thread of romance in the story. But you will also find yourself transported to the mysterious world that is ancient Persia.

A central thread in the storyline concerns a real-life artifact that I had the pleasure of seeing firsthand. It is an extraordinary object because biblical prophecy, archaeology, and history converge together in its simple words. For the first time in history, a king made a proclamation that established a foundation for religious freedom. (Some of you ancient history buffs might guess what it is.)

As I was going through the final edits of this novel, the Middle East went through particularly turbulent times. The world held its breath as we faced some very tense moments.

By then, I had read The Royal Artisan at least seven or eight times. But reading it in the shadow of those recent events, I was struck anew by how prophetic the book of Esther can be. How the struggle between Haman and the Jewish people is not merely an ancient event, but also a commentary on days to come. In the book of Esther, the Persian people celebrate when their king pronounces a new edict, one giving them the right to defend themselves. It is a moment that reveals the divide between Haman’s malice and the people’s hearts.

The Royal Artisan, like the story of Esther, ends on a happy note. But there are also some hard questions that may not find answers, because whenever you must engage in war, you will find yourself wishing for a better solution. And there are days, as humans living in a broken world, when we cannot seem to find the solutions we long for. We do our best. But sometimes, even our best leaves our hearts a little broken.

I told you that my story has a happy ending. I pray that the part of the world that birthed and nurtured my early years will also enjoy one of those. Because as our Lord reminded us, nothing is impossible with God.

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About the Author

Tessa Afshar’s award-winning biblical fiction has been on Publishers Weekly, CBA, and ECPA bestseller lists and has been translated into twelve languages. Born in the Middle East, Tessa spent her teen years in England and later moved to the United States. Her conversion to Christianity in her twenties changed the course of her life. Tessa is a devoted wife, a mediocre gardener, and an enthusiastic cook of biblical recipes. Learn more at TessaAfshar.com.

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About the Book

Sazana of Persia creates exquisite pottery that graces Susa's finest tables, but when Haman discovers her Jewish identity, he forces her into indentured servitude. But at Haman's sudden downfall, Queen Esther becomes the new master of the pottery workshop, restoring Sazana to her rightful place. Yet her troubles are not over as Haman's sons are enraged by his death, and the queen assigns Jadon, the man who left her heart in ruins years ago, to root out any threats.

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Did You Know?

There are many ways to celebrate Advent with the family at this time of year. The days leading up to the joyous moment of Jesus’ birth in December are called “Advent.” Advent comes from the Latin word adventus, meaning “coming” or “arrival.” Believers use the time to anticipate the coming of Jesus Christ. Keep Christ the focal point of the holidays with some of these traditional and not-so-traditional Advent ideas:

• Create a Jesse Tree – Rooted in the passage from Isaiah 11:1 that says, “A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots,” the Jesse Tree celebrates Jesus’ family tree. Each day, read a story from the Bible about an ancestor of Jesus. Color a small picture about that person. Glue the picture onto construction paper, attach a ribbon, and add it to a tree you’ve chosen to represent the Jesse Tree.

• Make “A Changed Life” clothesline – Use painter’s tape to stretch yarn or fishing line across the wall in the family room. Each night, read a story from the New Testament about a person whose life was changed after meeting Jesus. Illustrate a picture and clip it onto the clothesline. On Christmas Eve, add an illustration for each member of the family to the line, too.

• Read a book – Read an entry from a children’s Advent storybook, beginning with December 1 and ending on December 25.

Find unique ways to celebrate Advent this year and anticipate the greatest birth of all times.

-Julie and David Lavender, Children’s Advent Stories for Bedtime