The Foundation For Favor Series

The Foundation for Favor

Esther 2: 19-23

As we take a moment to consider our lives, we discover they are made up of varied series of events. Often one event serves to prepare us for a future event. At times, several events tend to blend together and create a major event. Viewing life from this perspective, I am sure most would agree that we never feel fully prepared for what life brings our way. Even our best laid plans and preparations can leave us overwhelmed and lacking a positive direction.

Thankfully the Lord is not bound to finite wisdom as we are. His plans are always perfectly laid out according to His divine will. He is never caught by surprise of left unprepared. He is never forced to play “catch-up” in any situation. That ought to comfort the believer. We can rest in His sovereign wisdom and guidance. If our lives are lived according to the plan of God, we will always make the right decisions and follow the right path.

Our text continues to reveal the sovereign plan of God for the lives of Esther and Mordecai. While they couldn’t see the future, God could; and He was already building a foundation for His plan to succeed. Long before the confidence in Mordecai by Ahasuerus would be needed to secure His people, God was providing favor for him in the king’s eyes. God always has a plan in place, preparing His people and orchestrating situations, long before His plan is realized. Let’s examine the details of this passage as we consider: The Foundation for Favor.

I. A Place of Prominence (19-20) – These verses continue to affirm the position God had provided for Esther and Mordecai within the Persian kingdom. Notice:

A. The Seat of Mordecai (19) – And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king's gate. Some believe Ahasuerus had gathered another group of young virgins to serve as concubines within his haram of women. That is certainly possible, and if so, it further reveals the sinfulness of Ahasuerus. However, his sinfulness is not the focus of the passage or the entire book; God’s sovereignty is center stage in Esther.

I can’t say with certainty that Mordecai had received a promotion as this point. We do know that he was found within the palace prior to Esther being chosen as queen. Now we find him sitting at the king’s gate. This was not a position of rank or authority, but God was already making Mordecai familiar with those in authority as they became familiar with his presence. He was in a position to elevate his worth to the king. This would be invaluable later. As we discussed in the introduction, God is not in the business of playing “catch-up.” He begins to prepare people and positions long before they are needed.

B. The Secrecy of Esther (20a) – Esther had not yet shewed her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her. Esther continued to keep her heritage a secret from those around her. She was a descendent of Hebrew slaves in Babylon, and such knowledge would have been detrimental had it been discovered too quickly.

Some scholars are very critical of Esther for keeping her lineage a secret. Clearly they were not living their lives according to the Law of Moses, nor do we find any reference to public worship of the Lord. However, we cannot deny the sovereign hand of God in their lives and within this situation. None of us are perfect, and none are worthy of being used of the Lord. He knows our hearts and our sinful tendencies. He does not condone our sin, but chooses to use us in spite of our fleshly nature. Jesus did speak of the dangers of casting our pearls before the swine. We must not allow our attention to focus on the perceived failures of Mordecai and Esther while missing the major point of the text.

C. The Submission of Esther (20b) – Esther had not yet shewed her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him. Although she had been crowned queen of Persia, Esther continued to honor Mordecai and remained submissive to his wishes for her. He had instilled godly principles and parental respect in her as a child and she continued to respect Mordecai through obedience.

These truths need to be taught and embraced in our day as well. The Lord desires us to honor our parents. We must teach our children the ways of God and encourage their obedience to the Lord. Just as Esther submitted to Mordecai, we too must submit to the Lord and His will for our lives. Although she was queen, she trusted the wisdom of Mordecai. We may be adults, responsible for our families, but we too must trust and submit to the Lord.