Esther

Esther 2: God puts Esther in the palace

Begin in prayer

Before we hear how Esther comes to the palace, let us thank the LORD that He cares for His people even when we cannot see Him. Ask Him to show us Christ, who makes the hidden things of God known.

Most certainly you are a God who has hidden yourself, God of Israel, the Savior

Isaiah 45:15

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You care for Your people when no one can see You at work, and lead us to Jesus. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

The king remembers Vashti and what was decreed against her, so his servants say to gather beautiful young women to the palace in Susa. Among them is Esther, a Jewish orphan whom her cousin Mordecai has raised as his own daughter. Mordecai tells her not to make known her people, and Esther obeys him. When her turn comes, the king loves Esther more than all the others and sets the royal crown on her head. Later Mordecai, who sits at the king's gate, learns that two doorkeepers plan to harm the king. Esther tells the king in Mordecai's name, the plot is proved true, and the matter is written in the book of the chronicles.

As you read Esther 2, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God, though unseen, puts Esther in the palace and keeps Mordecai's good deed on record.

With the queen's place empty, the king's servants suggest gathering beautiful young women to the palace in Susa (verses 2 to 4). Among them is Esther, also called Hadassah, a Jewish orphan raised by her cousin Mordecai (verse 7). Mordecai's family had been carried from Jerusalem with King Jeconiah, so they lived far from the land God gave them (verses 5 and 6). Esther wins the favor of Hegai, and after twelve months of preparation the king makes her queen (verses 9, 12 and 17). Gathering women for a king was not God's pattern, since God made marriage for one man and one woman. Mordecai tells Esther to keep her people secret, and the chapter does not say why (verse 10). Then Mordecai hears of a plot by two doorkeepers against the king, and Esther tells the king in Mordecai's name (verses 21 and 22). The plot is proved true, and the matter is written in the book of the chronicles (verse 23). God's name is not written, yet an orphan girl is now beside the king and a good deed is on record.

How does Esther 2 show us that God, though unseen, puts Esther in the palace and keeps Mordecai's good deed on record?

God gives Esther favor with Hegai and with the king.

Esther pleases Hegai, and he gives her the best place in the women's house (verses 8 and 9). When her turn comes, she asks for nothing except what Hegai advises, and all who see her favor her (verse 15). The king sets the crown on her head and makes her queen (verse 17). Favor is a gift from God, as it was for Joseph in prison (Genesis 39 verse 21). A sinner has God's favor only in Christ, His beloved Son (Ephesians 1 verse 6).

Mordecai cares for Esther, who has no father or mother.

Esther's father and mother have died, and Mordecai takes her as his own daughter (verse 7). He walks by the court of the women's house every day to learn how she is (verse 11). The LORD calls Himself a father to the fatherless (Psalm 68 verse 5). No verse in Esther says so, yet Mordecai's care for Esther is one way the LORD cared for her.

Mordecai's good deed is written in the king's book.

Two doorkeepers are angry and plan to harm the king, and Mordecai hears of it (verses 21 and 22). Esther tells the king in Mordecai's name, so the king knows who saved him. The matter is found true and written in the book of the chronicles (verse 23). No one rewards Mordecai now, and the record waits, but in chapter 6 that book will be opened.

Memorise

Esther obtained favor in the sight of all those who looked at her.

Esther 2:15

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, how can I, a sinner, have God's favor?

Esther “had neither father nor mother”, yet she “obtained favor” in the sight of everyone who looked at her. The king set a crown on her head. An orphan from a captive people now stood beside the king. God's name is not written, but His hand is there.

Favor from a king is small beside favor from God. Our sin keeps us from Him, and no crown, no kindness and no good record can win His favor. Jesus came to the cross for His people and carried their guilt in His own body. Death could not hold Him, and He rose alive. His payment stands whole, with nothing missing. In Him alone sinners have the favor of God.

So come to the Son of God. Turn from your sin and put your trust in Jesus. God forgives the sins of everyone who trusts His Son, whether rich or poor, parent or orphan.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God cares for His people even when no one can see Him, and that every child needs Jesus. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart. Please explain verses 2 to 4 and 12 to 14, where women are taken to the king, in your own words.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for His hidden care of Esther, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so each one may speak to Him in their own words.

When my father and my mother forsake me, then Yahweh will take me up.

Psalm 27:10

Lord God, thank You that You care for Your people even when we cannot see You. Please give each child a new heart, so that they turn from sin and trust Jesus. Teach our family to look for Your hand in the ordinary days of this week. Amen.