Return from Exile: Esther 1-5 (2)

Pray Psalm 125.1, 2.
Those who trust in the LORD
Are like Mount Zion,
Which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
So the LORD surrounds His people
From this time forth and forever.

Sing Psalm 125.1, 2.
(St. Gertrude: Onward, Christian Soldiers)
All who trust in Jesus, strong as Zion stand!
Naught shall ever move them from their promised land!
Like the hills surrounding safe Jerusalem,
Christ surrounds His Church and holds her in His mighty Hand!
Refrain, v. 1
All who trust in Jesus, strong as Zion stand!
Naught shall ever move them from their promised land!

Read Esther 2.1-23; meditate on verses 19-23.

Preparation
1. Why did Esther not reveal her family and people?

2. What did Mordecai do when he discovered the plot against the king?

Meditation
Mordecai is in some ways a type of God. He was wise, upright, and courageous. He cared deeply about his adopted daughter (v. 7) and did what he could to advance her wellbeing. He instructed Esther not to reveal her family or her people to anyone, because he understood that might be an obstacle to her advancement (vv. 10, 20). And he daily “paced in front of the court of the women’s quarters, to learn of Esther’s welfare and what was happening to her” (v. 11). Further, he fulfilled a role in the royal court, for he “sat within the king’s gate” (v. 21).

Mordecai was a living example of how God cares for His people and always works on our behalf. And there is one more way that Mordecai reminds us of or points our thoughts to God: Mordecai knew when to keep secrets. Just like God (Deut. 29.29). God gives us just as much truth as we need for understanding and carrying out His plans. He keeps secrets because He knows better than we do what we require to live for His glory. We may certainly know whatever truth God reveals to us, and we will benefit from that truth to the extent that we obey, like Esther. But we cannot know everything the way God does, and that will always be the case (Eccl. 3.11).

The king did not need to know Esther’s family and people. He was taken by her beauty and gracious demeanor, so that he “loved Esther more than all the other women” (v. 17). But when treachery was plotted against the king, and the word of it came to Mordecai, then Mordecai needed to reveal a secret thing, which he did through Esther (vv. 21, 22). Esther told the king what Mordecai had revealed, and his life was spared. Just as when we tell the people in our Personal Mission Field what God has revealed to us in Jesus, and they believe, their lives are spared as well.

Treasures Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
I hear Kenny Rogers in the background, sotto voce:
You got to know when to hold ‘em
Know when to fold ‘em
Know when to walk away
And know when to run
You never count your money
When you’re sittin’ at the table
There’ll be time enough for countin’
when the dealing’s done.

Every act in this Esther play was done with precision and care.
Each move thoughtfully and knowingly orchestrated.
Their order of operations precisely performed with godly wisdom.

Observe the commandments of God followed:
Mordecai prevented a murder (Ex. 20.13; Esth. 2.22).
Esther obeyed the parental authority in her life (Ex. 20.12; Esth. 2.20).
She did not steal her cousin’s glory (Ex. 20.15; Esth. 2.22);
nor did she covet the praise Mordecai would receive for his timely information (Ex. 20.17; Esth. 2.22).

There was information that they held close.
And there was information that they passed along.
Their time for counting was coming.
But currently, they were sheep in the midst of wolves,
being wise as serpents and harmless as doves (Matt. 10.16).
Tables did eventually turn; but even in the turning, Mordecai and Esther intended good for God’s people.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Prov. 3.5, 6).
This is as true for us today as it was for Mordecai and Esther then.
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think,
according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church
by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen” (Eph. 3.20, 21).

God give us the wisdom each day to hold ‘em, fold ‘em, walk, run, and count righteously so when the dealings are done, many lives in our Personal Mission Field will be “spared as well”.

For reflection
1. We’re called to “redeem the time” of our lives. What will that require of you today?

2. What does it mean for you to acknowledge the Lord “in all your ways”? How do you do that throughout the day?

3. Whom will you encourage today to be faithful in their walk with and work for the Lord?

The servant of God must be faithful to every trust, and watchful for those who employ him. If he appear to be neglected now, he will be remembered hereafter. None of our actions can be forgotten; even our most secret thoughts are written in lasting registers, Revelation 20:12. Matthew Henry (1662-1714), Commentary on Esther 2.21-23

Pray Psalm 125.3-5.
In prayer, let the Spirit search your soul to discover any sin. Confess and repent as He leads. Call on Him to help you in doing good to others today.

Sing Psalm 125.3-5.
(St. Gertrude: Onward, Christian Soldiers)
Wickedness shall rest not on this holy land.
Sinfulness shall never come forth from their hand. 
Trusting in the Savior, firm in His caress,
ever shall His favor on this holy city rest.
Refrain, v. 1
All who trust in Jesus, strong as Zion stand!
Naught shall ever move them from their promised land!

Lord, do good and care for those upright in heart.
All who turn to evil shall from You depart.
Sinful men may increase, on their way to hell!
Save Your people, let your peace abound in Israel!
Refrain v. 1

T. M. and Susie Moore

Two books can help us understand our own captivity and lead us to seek revival and renewal in the Lord. The Church Captive asks us to consider the ways the Church today has become captive to the world. And Revived! can help us find the way to renewal. Learn more and order your free copies by clicking here and here.

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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (Williston: Waxed Tablet Publications, 2006), available free by clicking here.