A Plan Thwarted by Esther & Mordecai
The story of Esther is also the story of a plan thwarted. Two men who plotted to overthrow Ahaseurus were discovered and hanged. Esther was in the right place at the right time.
A Plan Thwarted
In previous devotionals, we have seen God’s plan begin to unfold in Esther’s life. From verses 19-23 of Esther 2, we are reminded that the Lord works in our lives not only for our benefit but also for the benefit of others.
In this post, I will be talking a lot about authority. Please note that yielding to those who are corrupt and abusive is beyond the scope of today’s devotional. As I mentioned previously, doing so is beyond my purview.
Esther 2:19-23 says,
“Now when the virgins were gathered together the second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate. Esther had not made known her kindred or her people, as Mordecai had commanded her, for Esther obeyed Mordecai just as when she was brought up by him. In those days, as Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate … two of the king’s eunuchs, who guarded the threshold, became angry and sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. And this came to the knowledge of Mordecai, and he told it to Queen Esther, and Esther told the king in the name of Mordecai. When the affair was investigated and found to be so, the men were both hanged on the gallows. And it was recorded in the book of the chronicles in the presence of the king” (ESV).
Mordecai Cared for Esther.
Even after his charge became queen, he stayed close. Because he did, he learned of the plot to overthrow the king and revealed it to Esther.
Mordecai was Insightful and Discerning.
He had given Esther insightful and discerning counsel before she was taken away from their home and he continued to have a far-reaching impact on her life and on the lives of many others as well.
Mordecai was Wise.
When he instructed Esther not to reveal her heritage, some may have considered it cowardly, a sign of weakness, but this was not the case. We will see this even more clearly as we continue to work our way through the book of Esther.
Although this passage deals more with Mordecai than Esther, there are several lessons we can learn from the new queen’s life about how God works.
Even in the Midst of Heartache, God is at Work.
When Esther’s parents passed away, the Lord provided a wise and caring guardian for her. Mordecai would play a key role in her life—and in the lives of countless others—long after she was a child.
As believers in Jesus, we can trust that the Lord is working out His plans and purposes even when we’re going through heartache and other challenges.
The Lord Establishes Authorities Over Us.
Compliance with authority has always been the Lord’s plan. However, pride was at the heart of the first sin, Adam’s and Eve’s, and continues to be at the heart of sin to this day. We don’t want to comply with the authorities in our life—not even God’s authority.
Esther is a wonderful example of what the Lord can accomplish through a life yielded to authority.
God Is Working Out His Plans
Complying may not always be easy, but God is working out His plans long before we can see the path ahead.
If this were a novel, Esther’s life may seem romantic, but this was real life. Esther was taken from her family, her friends, her people. She wasn’t allowed to discuss her life prior to her year of preparation and becoming queen. In ways, she must have been very lonely.
When our life is difficult, we must trust that God sees the big picture and is working things out.
When we exercise wisdom, we will not be the only ones to benefit.
We know that the king was saved from the plot to overthrow him. Plus, because of Mordecai and Queen Esther, those loyal to him were likely saved as well. When a coup is successful, many lose their position—and often their life.
Our actions may not yield such dramatic results, but when we do what we ought, others’ lives are affected—often more than we realize.
The Lord May use us in Ways we Never Expected.
The first two chapters of the book of Esther don’t take long to read, but if we do so slowly, considering all this young woman experienced in a relatively short time, it gives us a lot to think about.
In her wildest dreams, I’m certain Esther never would have imagined that the king would become angry with Vashti, his queen, and go in search of someone to take her place.
I’m also certain Esther never would have imagined spending a year preparing simply to appear before the king—never mind, finding favour in his eyes and then becoming the new queen.
And then, to take word to the king that two of his eunuchs were planning to overthrow him? I’m convinced this was never on her radar—not until her childhood guardian, Mordecai, brought it to her attention at least.
I’m sure our story bears little resemblance to Esther’s. Still, the Lord may very well use us in ways we’ve not yet imagined.
May we become convinced that the Lord is, indeed, working out His plans and purposes in and through us—even when we can’t see it.
How do you think you would have acted if you had been in Esther’s position? We would love to hear from you. Comment below or contact us at HopeStreamRadio.
Steph Nickel
Steph Beth Nickel is eclectically interested and eclectically involved. In all she does, Steph seeks to nurture and inspire. She is currently working on the first book in a nonfiction series. Nurture and Inspire LOVE is a compilation of the first devotionals she wrote for HopeStreamRadio.
Steph is a freelance writer and editor. She is the coauthor of Paralympian Deb Willows’ award-winning memoir, Living Beyond My Circumstances, published by Castle Quay Books. Deb and Steph are working on a follow-up book.
You can visit her website, stephbethnickel.com, to learn more about her.
Visit Steph’s contributor’s page or at Steph Nickel’s Eclectic Interests.
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Killer – Republica
Woman – Public Domain
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More About Queen Esther:
Introducing Hadassah – The Story of Queen Esther
A Plan for Esther’s Life – The Story of Esther
A Plan Thwarted by Esther & Mordecai
The Plot Revealed – Queen Esther
Mordecai and Queen Esther – How to Glorify God
Power Corrupts – Esther, Mordecai and Haman
The Story of Esther – A Wise Plan and an Evil Scheme
Pride and the Downfall of Haman – the Life of Esther
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