In this chapter the king decides to replace Queen Vashti and has several women prepped in order to choose the one who most pleases him. Ultimately, the king chooses Esther, a young Jewish woman, as his new Queen.
“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 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…” (v21-23 abr)
Esther and Mordecai (her much older cousin who raised her like his own daughter) help avert a coup on the king who holds their people captive in a foreign land. Why would they do such a thing when they could have gotten revenge on the person holding their people captive?
Jesus says ” ‘Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.’ ” (Mt 5:44) By loving those around us, including our enemies, we are being obedient to our Heavenly Father and others can see us as His followers (children).
We also know that ” ‘…the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.’ ” (1 Sam 16:7b) We, as human beings, are not flawless judges of people – only God truly knows someone. Who are we to judge a person as if we know everything about them? Only God sees a person’s heart / soul.
Esther and Mordecai respect and honor the king, even though they are not ‘his people’ (they are God’s people). We all know what it’s like to have rulers and authorities over us who are not Christ followers. Even if they oppress us, we should not seek their demise. We (like Esther, Joseph, Daniel, and others) can respect those in authority over us, love them and pray for them. Even if we did not choose that leader, and/or disagree with them, we should not sin because of them (hating/slandering them is sinful and not loving them for they too are our neighbor).
Father God, our Wise and Sovereign Lord, we trust Your word and commands. You have asked us to love our neighbors, and honor those in authority over us. May we learn to not only respect them, but to pray for them and their salvation. May You please touch their hearts, and help them to serve You and Your people. May we speak encouragement to our leaders, and honor any requests that do not cause us to sin. In the name of Jesus we love, honor and obey You, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training