Esther 2:13 meaning

In the unfolding events of the Persian Empire, Esther's story highlights God's providence in a seemingly secular setting. After Queen Vashti was deposed, a beauty contest was held to select a new queen. Esther, a Jewish orphan raised by her cousin Mordecai, enters this contest, representing both her beauty and the hidden complexity of her identity. This chapter portrays Esther's submission to a system that was not only foreign but also potentially perilous for her Jewish heritage. The contest itself raises questions about the moral implications of such participation, especially given the backdrop of her people's oppression.