Meditation from Esther Chapter 2
God's plans on earth are done through people and He is looking for those through whom He can fulfill His plans. Esther's character is an excellent example of how we should be for God's plan to fulfil in & through us.
1. Unfavourable Circumstances: Our circumstances need not be favourable for God's plan to fulfil. Esther was orphaned as a child and grew up not in the land of her forefathers, but in exile (1:7).
Her life wasn't comfortable or favourable.
2. Rejoicing Amidst Sorrow: Adding to her difficult background, Esther didn't have a choice over her life; she didn't choose to go to the King's harem.
Yet, no where we see Esther mourning over her life. She was so pleasing, even at the place where she was taken away from her uncle, that she found favour (2:9)
Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 6:10, "as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything."
Either we can cry over our misfortunes or rejoice in the Lord.
3. Obedience: Esther obeyed her uncle Mordecai. He had instructed her to not reveal her people or kindred and she obeyed, with no questions asked. She obeyed him before and after coming to the King's harem. (2:10,20).
Mordecai's age & experience had definite advantageous reason for forbidding Esther from revealing her kindred; which Esther at that point wouldn't have understood. We may not understand the reason, but obedience is a blessing.
Obeying God & leaders is a godly Virtue.
How much are we obedient to our leaders, in the team, family?
4. Undemanding: Esther had found favour in the sight of the overseers in the King's harem. Yet she was not demanding, she asked for nothing. (2:15).
The Bible says that Esther was admired by all. More than her external beauty, Esther was admired for her internal beauty of character, which also enabled her to be the person through whom God could fulfil His plans.
Contentment is godliness!
5. Due Honour & Recognition: When Mordecai found the plot to kill the king and informed the King through Esther, she didn't take credit for it. Esther told of the plot to the king in the name of Mordecai (2:21,22).
We become trustworthy when we are truthful.
Esther means 'star' and through her character she did shine like a star.
"...you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine like stars in the world." Philippians 2:15
Esther's original name Hadassah means 'myrtle' which is used in the Old Testament as a symbol of forgiveness to the people of Israel.
Esther was to become a symbol of God's forgiveness and salvation of people, who are in exile for their sins & rebellion against God. Through her godly character she shone like a star through whom God could fulfil His plans.
Let's commit our character and life to be transformed to be godly that we too may shine like stars amidst crooked & perverse generation, so that God's plan may be fulfilled in and through us.
Have a blessed day!
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