The Obedient Queen

But Esther had kept secret her family background and nationality just as Mordecai had told her to do, for she continued to follow Mordecai’s instructions as she had done when he was bringing her up. Esther 2: 20, NIV.

Our Father in heaven, please teach us that no matter how high we ascend in the world’s eyes, we are still Your children. May we obey You as such. This we ask in the precious name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Our Scripture for today, speaks more eloquently of Esther’s character than anything else we read about her. She was young, beautiful, covered with “favor,” and obedient. While her beauty and favor would allow her to be chosen as the next queen of Persia, it was her obedience that would save, not only her life, but the life of an entire nation!

This well developed attribute in the life of Esther also says a lot about Mordecai her uncle, who raised her. It would appear that Mordecai’s own faithfulness to God equipped him with both the love, and the wisdom, to successfully, teach Esther the necessity of obedience. Emphasis has been placed on successfully, because many parents fail in this process. We are either too rigid (leaving no room for the child to develop a will of his or her own); or, too indulging (making it almost impossible for the child to learn the benefits of obedience).

Let us spend a few moments in the life of Esther and Mordecai as we try to observe how Esther’s well taught, and well learned, obedience, that later proved to be a true blessing to so many, was developed. We will begin in verse 7 and then go on to verses 10 & 11 of chapter 2:  “Mordecai had a cousin named Hadassah, whom he had brought up because she had neither father nor mother. This young woman, who was also known as Esther, had a lovely figure and was beautiful. Mordecai had taken her as his own daughter when her father and mother died.  .  .  Esther had not revealed her nationality and family background, because Mordecai had forbidden her to do so. Every day he walked back and forth near the courtyard of the harem to find out how Esther was and what was happening to her.”

This is an older man, lovingly caring for his orphaned cousin. Most likely this is done with a great amount of pity, as well as love. In many of these cases, pity sometimes allows the caretaker to over-indulge the child. Apparently this was not the case with Mordecai’s training of Esther. There seemed to have been a perfect balance in her upbringing. She obviously had a well balanced diet (her physical development and beauty). She seemed to be emotionally well balanced, and very well mannered, which made it easy for others to love her (8, 9, 15-17). However, I do believe that much of the favor we enjoy, in spite of  our demeanor, is due to God’s favor (Proverbs 16: 7). I am sure this was true in the case of Esther. She obviously felt very secure, as well – seeing that she was never abandoned. Mordecai was there every day to find out how she was doing.

But there came a day, as will come in every life as long as we are living on this planet in rebellion, when some experience will test us at the deepest level of our being. Will Esther’s obedience withstand the test? We read:  “When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly” (4: 1). The Adversary had raised up an enemy against Mordecai, whose wrath threatened to destroy, not only Mordecai, but the entire nation of Jews as well. When Esther found out the reason for Mordecai’s duress, she sent him the following message:

” ‘ “All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold scepter to them and spares their lives. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king” ‘ ” (11). To which Mordecai replied:  ” ‘ “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this” ‘ ” (13b, 14)?

The lessons of obedience, well learned and internalized in childhood, became evident in Queen Esther’s response. The one who had taught her to be obedient, was himself, obedient to God. He had shown her by his own life and faithfulness, the importance of obedience. If he was willing to die for what he believed so was she, ” ‘ “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish” (16).

Teaching our children to be obedient in a loving and intelligent manner is important. More important, however, is living in obedience to God, ourselves. When this is done under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the lesson, learned by precept and example, in the home, will accompany them- even to the palace!