The Search For A Queen (Part 2) Series

The Search for a Queen (Part 2)

Esther 2: 10-18

We have learned that due to her refusal to accommodate the king’s ridiculous demands, Vashti had been removed from her position as queen. After some time had passed, the king’s advisors developed a plan to locate and crown a new queen. The plan pleased King Ahasuerus and now the search is well underway.

In our previous study we discussed the beginning facets of the search:

I. The Scrutiny in the Search (1-4)

II. The Sovereignty in the Search (5-7)

III. The Separation in the Search (8-9)

I want to continue considering the facets of this search as we conclude our study of: The Search for a Queen.

IV. The Secrecy in the Search (10-11) – Here we find details of the concealment of Esther’s true identity. The text speaks of:

A. Her Lineage (10a) – Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it. Although Esther would be crowned queen, according to God’s sovereign plan, we must not forget that she was a Jewish woman who descended from those in captivity. As we will discover, not everyone in Persia viewed the Jews favorably. God was working behind the scenes to ensure their preservation, but it would have been detrimental had they found out prior to her being crowned queen. Had the Persians known of her lineage, Esther would never have been considered for the crown.

In Esther’s defense, she was being obedient to the will of Mordecai. However, both of them were living a lifestyle unnoticed within society. Some may have known of their lineage, but they sought not to bring attention to themselves. I know that God had a sovereign plan for her to become queen, but we cannot ignore the fact that they were not living according to the law of God. Their spiritual lives were shrouded by the persona they sought to portray. In fact, many of the Jews in Persia had grown quite comfortable with life there.

God never encourages or condones willful disobedience, and we cannot either. Regardless of what is viewed as acceptable within society, we must maintain our Christian witness. We have no right to neglect our relationship with Christ just because the majority has abandoned Him. We must never adopt the ways of this world in order to receive gain in this life.

God was at work in her life, and He would use her to accomplish His divine will. We don’t like to admit it, but often there are flaws in the lives of our heroes of the faith. We all live in a body of flesh that is prone to sin and failure. God uses us for His glory in spite of our failures, not because of them.

B. Their Leisure (11) – And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her. Mordecai served in a position within the king’s court. His position granted him access to places within the palace grounds that others would have been restricted. He was able to keep up with Esther during the months of preparation. God had brought Mordecai to a position where he could care for Esther before she was ever considered to be Vashti’s replacement.

Circumstances and events in our lives never happen by chance. When the Lord determines to move in a particular way, choosing those whom He will use, He always has everything in order. We can’t force doors of opportunity open, but when God is at work, He will open doors no man can close. He will place us in the right places, among the right people, in order to carry out the plan He has for our lives!

V. The Strategies in the Search (12-15) – These verses reveal how this elaborate plan was carried out to find and select Vashti’s replacement. Notice:

A. The Preparation (12) – Now when every maid's turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with other things for the purifying of the women;) Each of the candidates were kept within the palace for a period of twelve months in preparation to stand before the king. None were exempt; each young woman had to go through this time of preparation.

I never want to be guilty of “over-spiritualizing” a passage or forcing an application, but there is a common principle here we cannot miss. We will all stand before the sovereign King when this life is through. We are now living in a time of preparation. The only way to be acceptable to Christ the Lord is to know Him through salvation. Following salvation, our lives should be lived in such a way that they emit a sweet fragrance of worship for the Lord. Others should notice our preparation and realize that we have been preparing for a very special occasion.