Lessons from Esther: Sitting at the King’s gate

21 In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king's gate, two of the king's chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus. 22 And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai's name. 23 And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out; therefore they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king. Esther 2:21-23

The workings of the palace went on as usual. Everyone was in their right place doing their job. Again, we find Mordecai at the king’s gate. As I mentioned in the last blog, he had a position of authority, probably as a judge or an official of the court.

One of the jobs of this position was listening. Mordecai sat and listened, maybe to complaints, maybe to cases, maybe to people asking for favors, whatever the reason, he was listening and probably making decisions.

One day, Mordecai got an “ear full.” Someone came and told Mordecai about a plot to kill the king. Mordecai probably researched the source, and then he went to Queen Esther and told her.

Esther documented the incident in “Mordecai’s name” meaning she had it written down with the details noting that Mordecai was the one who discovered the “plot.” After an investigation was held and verified, the men were hung on a tree. The case was written in the king’s book.

What can be learned from this portion of scripture?

Mordecai being in the right place at the right time was not an accident. Mordecai hearing about the plot to kill the king was not just hearsay.

God is in control

The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. Proverbs 15:3

For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. I Peter 3:12

For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings. Proverbs 5:21

Pay Attention

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: James 1:19

We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.  Epictetus 

When I was a child, my grandmother would quote this to me often. Usually it was when I was talking away and not listening or “carrying tales” about others.

A wise old owl lived in an oak

The more he heard the less he spoke1

The less he spoke the more he heard.

Why aren’t you like this wise old bird.

Be aware

We need to be aware of our surroundings. Mordecai was aware of what was going on around him. He was listening more than he was talking. He was a captive in a strange land, he needed to keep “his guard up”.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: I Peter 5:8

Today as you do your daily tasks, pay attention, know God is in control and be aware of your surroundings.

I’ll end today with the words of an old hymn:

This world is not my home I'm just a passing through
My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue
The angels beckon me from heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore
Oh Lord you know I have no friend like you
If heaven's not my home then Lord what will I do
The angels beckon me from heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore

Looking heavenward,

Donna

Lessons from Esther: Esther’s feast

Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther's feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king. 19 And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king's gate. 20 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. Esther 2:18-20

Time for another party! It appears that Ahasuerus (Xerxes) loved to give parties (feasts). There was a reason to celebrate. The king had picked a new queen. The feast was appropriately called “Esther’s feast.” He was so excited about his choice that the party extended to the provinces.

The king gave “a release” to the people. Depending on what commentary you read the release was either from paying taxes, or from work, such as a special holiday. Esther was given “gifts”, we are not told what type of gift but according to history of the Persian kings, it could be anything from lovely clothes to an entire city.

Meanwhile, Mordecai sat at the king’s gate. This was not your ordinary sitting but it was a position he held. J. Vernon McGee says, “This means that he is a judge, for the courthouse of the ancient world was the gate of the city.” We are not told how Mordecai came to receive this position but it shows that God is in control.  God had placed him in this new position. Mordecai is now sitting at the gate where he is able to hear and see what is going on in the kingdom.

Through her selection, the celebrations as well as the appointment of her cousin, Esther was harboring a secret. She kept the secret hidden in her heart because Mordecai, her adopted father, had asked her to. Her secret was even hidden from her Persian husband. No one but Esther and Mordecai knew that she was Jewish, and a captive from Jerusalem.

Behind the scene God was guiding each word said, each step taken by Esther and Mordecai. God will guide our words and our steps if we let Him. At the start of each day, we need to ask God for guidance and direction to lead us in the way we should go.

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. Psalm 25:5

Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. Psalm 27:11

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. Matthew 6:13

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Lessons from Esther: A new Queen

15 Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king's chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her. 16 So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. 17 And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti. Esther 2:15-17

Now it is Esther’s turn to go before the king. Just like the women before her, Esther was allowed to ask for anything she needed. Esther did not ask for anything, she was satisfied with the items she had.

Everyone who saw Esther was impressed with her beauty. It was not just outer beauty but inner beauty that Esther possessed. Inner beauty radiated to the outward appearance.

The king was also “taken” by Esther. He loved her above all the other women and set the beautiful jeweled crown on her head. Esther the orphaned Jewish girl was now the beautiful queen of King Ahasuerus who ruled over 127 provinces.

What can we learn from this small portion of scripture?

©  Esther was humble v15a

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. James 4:6

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. James 4:10

©  Esther was satisfied  v15b

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. Philippians 4:11

And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. I Timothy 6:8

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Hebrew 13:5

©  Esther had a quiet spirit v15c

But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. I Peter 3:4

©  Esther had inner beauty 

…for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. I Samuel 16:7

The “hand of God’ can be seen in this portion of scripture, His name is not mentioned but God was with Esther each step of the way.

As I look at the life of Esther and the circumstances that she found herself in, I thank God for my life. Instead of griping and complaining about the situation we need to thank God for His guidance and sovereignty.

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Lessons from Esther: Meeting with the King

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;) 13 Then thus came every maiden unto the king; whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king's house. 14 In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's chamberlain, which kept the concubines: she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that she were called by name. Esther 2:12-14

This portion of scripture explains the process by which a new queen would be named. The women would spend a total of twelve months in preparation.

Each woman would spend one night with the king. After the king’s desire was fulfilled, the woman would return to the custody of the king’s chamberlain in the “second” house. They were not allowed to go back to the original place. Adam Clark says, “This was the place where the king’s concubines were kept. They went out no more, and were never given in marriage to any man, and saw the king’s face no more unless specially called.”

What a sad life these women faced if they were not chosen to be queen. Basically, if not chosen, most would live an isolated life.

Join me the next time to meet the new queen.

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Lessons from Esther: Under the watchful eye

And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her. Esther 2:11

Esther is in the palace, waiting for her “turn” to be with the king. Mordecai was outside the court where the women were held.

He walked by every day to get a word about Esther. He loved her and adopted her as his own daughter. I’m sure he was very concerned about her whereabouts and what was happening to her. His care and love remind me of the love I feel for my children.

My children are all grown and on their own but I still want the best for them. I recently attended a seminar where Pastor Jim Cymbala was speaking. At the end of the session, he ask if “anyone had a child or grandchild” who had strayed from the Lord to stand. People all over the auditorium stood to pray for their children.

Just before he prayed, he said, “no one needs to remind you to pray for your wayward child”. He was so right. When we have a burden for someone we pray all the time. As I read this one verse about Mordecai, I thought of parents everywhere who worry and maybe even wonder where their wayward child is.

Do you have a burden for someone to get their life right before the Lord? Ask God to surround them with His love and to take care of them. The hard part is praying in His will not mine.

As you pray today for a loved one remember God knows. Trust Him with your burden.

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Lessons from Esther: The Keeper of the Women

9 And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king's house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women. 10 Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it. Esther 2:9-10

As we learned from the last lesson, all the women were brought back to the king’s house. They were in the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women. Hegai was the one who took care of the women by getting them everything needed for the meeting with the king.

This portion of scripture tells us that Esther pleased him. He saw something in Esther and treated her with kindness. Hegai was so “taken “by Esther’s beauty as well as her calm demeanor that he gave her seven maids to take care of all the details.

Esther and her maids were given one of the best rooms. Keli & Delitzsch Commentary says, “he changed her and her maids into the best of the house of the women, i.e., he took them out of the ordinary rooms and placed them in the best apartments, probably in the state-rooms, where those who were accustomed to be brought to the king used to dwell.”

Throughout all the preparation and all the kindnesses shown to her, Esther kept her promise to Mordecai. She told no one of her Jewish ancestry.

He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction. Proverbs 13:3 

… a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; Ecclesiastes 3:7 

I can see “God’s hand” throughout this portion of scripture. God’s care and protection are everywhere. Hegai took her “under his care”. He gave her preferential treatment. Esther was in the center of God’s will and He was taking care of her.

When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. Proverbs 16:7 

Sometimes we think that if everything is not going “our way” then we must be doing something wrong. We need to trust God with every detail of our life. It doesn’t matter if it is small or large, God cares about everything. God was with Esther even in the middle of a foreign palace.

God cares about you and whatever you may be going through. Trust him with all your worries and problems.

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5 -6

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. I Peter 5:7

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Lessons from Esther: An unlikely candidate

Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite; 6 Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away. 7 And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter. 8 So it came to pass, when the king's commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king's house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.  Esther 2:5-8

In the last blog I explained how the women were picked. I was always under the impression that the women went under their own free will. The more I studied the more I realized they did not go under their own power but more than likely most were forced.

We now come to Esther, the main character. The Hebrew meaning of Esther is” a star”, while the Persian name of Hadassah means “myrtle”. The facts of Esther’s life are sad, but she was a survivor. She was a captive from Jerusalem taken to Babylon. Esther was an orphan and adopted by her cousin, Mordecai. We also learn that Esther was beautiful and was one of the “gathered” young women by the officers of the king.

Mordecai was a very important person in Esther’s life. He treated her as a daughter and gave her guidance in her daily living. Mordecai’s name means “little man”. As we continue throughout the book we will find he is anything but a “little man”. Mordecai’s name is mentioned 58 times in the Book of Esther. As the story unfolds we will discover he was one of the key players in the history of the Jews.

Join me the next time to discover what happens under “the custody of Hegai”.

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Lessons from Esther: The search begins

After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was appeased, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her. 2 Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king: 3 And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, unto the custody of Hege the king's chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given them: 4 And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so. Esther 2:1-4

As the story unfolds verse one gives us a little different picture of Ahasuerus. It appears that the king may have had a change of heart, but it was too late. He made a written decree that could not be changed. People more often than not regret the drunken actions or words once they are sober but it is too late to take them back.

The king’s servants quickly said, “Let’s have a beauty contest to find you another queen.” Young women did not “apply” for this beauty contest but “they were sought out”.

Officers of the king were appointed throughout the territory looking for beautiful young women. Once the women were “found” and “gathered” they were in the custody of Hege, the king’s chamberlain.

There are many Hebrew meanings for the word custody but the closest one for this verse is “forced”. The Hebrew meaning for keeper is "to hedge about, guard".

The women were not coming under their own free will but forced to come and “try out” for the king’s harem and maybe at a chance to be the queen. The entire process was demoralizing.

The next time we meet I’ll look at an unlikely candidate.

 Have a blessed day, 

Donna