(Esther 2:8-23) So it came about, when the command and decree of the king were heard and many young ladies were gathered to the citadel of Susa into the custody of Hegai, that Esther was taken to the king’s palace into the custody of Hegai, who was in charge of the women. 9 Now the young lady pleased him and found favor with him. So he quickly provided her with her cosmetics and food, gave her seven choice female attendants from the king’s palace, and transferred her and her attendants to the best place in the harem. 10 Esther did not reveal her people or her kindred, because Mordecai had instructed her that she was not to reveal them. 11 And every day Mordecai walked back and forth in front of the courtyard of the harem to learn how Esther was and what was happening to her.
12 Now when the turn came for each young woman to go in to King Ahasuerus, after the end of her twelve months under the regulations for the women—for the days of their beauty treatment were completed as follows: six months with oil of myrrh and six months with balsam oil and the cosmetics for women— 13 the young woman would go in to the king in this way: anything that she desired was given her to take with her from the harem to the king’s palace. 14 In the evening she would enter and in the morning she would return to the second harem, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the concubines. She would not go in to the king again, unless the king delighted in her and she was summoned by name.
15 Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai who had taken her as his daughter, came to go in to the king, she did not request anything except what Hegai, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the women, advised. And Esther was finding favor in the eyes of all who saw her. 16 So Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus in his royal palace in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.
17 The king loved Esther more than all the women, and she found favor and kindness with him more than all the virgins, so that he set the royal turban on her head and made her queen in place of Vashti. 18 Then the king held a great banquet, Esther’s banquet, for all his officials and his servants; he also made a holiday for the provinces and gave gifts in proportion to the king’s bounty.
19 Now when the virgins were gathered together for the second time, then Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate. 20 Esther still had not revealed her relatives or her people, just as Mordecai had instructed her; for Esther did what Mordecai told her just as she had when under his care.
21 In those days, while Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, Bigthan and Teresh, two of the king’s officials from those who guarded the door, became angry and sought to attack King Ahasuerus. 22 But the plot became known to Mordecai and he informed Queen Esther, and Esther told the king in Mordecai’s name. 23 Then when the plot was investigated and found to be so, they were both hanged on a wooden gallows; and it was written in the Book of the Chronicles in the king’s presence.
TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:
It's a safe assumption that Esther was not only beautiful on the outside, but beautiful on the inside. We are not talking about being coy or alluring or sexual or "cute" or "spiritual" or intellectual or... A godly beauty includes being sincere, considerate, selfless, humble and loving.
Submitting to authority is to give earnest and intentional respect, as well as to be obedient, as far as it doesn't go against God's will. It is amazing how far respect can take a person and/or carry a relationship along towards others being more considerate and respectful towards you. Not always, but it will definitely be more advantageous than whining and complaining, or being emotional, hateful, contentious and defiant.
Esther had to juggle several different sets of authority. She was not only living in a foreign land, but she found herself being held captive right in the king's palace. And in order not to offend the king, she took note and followed the advice that Hegai gave her. And even though Mordecai wasn't Esther's real father, she respected him as such and followed his advice as well. As for Mordecai, he was both insightful and caring, not only of Esther, but also looked after the king's interests.
This can all be applied to us today, because.... countries, states, provinces, counties, districts, townships, communities, HOAs... will all have their own sets of laws and rules. Sports, teams, coaches and leisure venues have their rules. Schools and teachers have their sets of rules. Companies and bosses have their rules, procedures and policies. And listen, when we travel to another country, whether for work or vacation, know that this is not your country. Laws will be different. We can't just say, "Well, I'm an American and I have rights!" Well, over there, no, you don't. And how unbecoming! If people visit our country, do we not expect them to respect and abide by our laws?
God has given us a few rules and advice to follow, and His way works! As well as, HIs way accommodates what to do in all those circumstances above and all the circumstances below. God is omniscient and wants the best for us. As far as we are able, we are to keep peace with others.
At home, every family will have various rules laid out. And in a family of believers, we should remember to submit to each other and respect each other. Children are to obey and honor their parents (as unto the Lord). And parents are not to provoke their children to anger, but be gentle and understand, while teaching them discipline and God's truths and how to appropriately apply those. Dads (as well as Moms) are to lead by example, as they oversee the family. Husbands and wives should nurture a healthy, respectful and loving relationship with each other.
My personal example is that I support and encourage my husband to be the one who is ultimately responsible, while he tries to do everything with my involvement, input and decision making... hearing out my questions, concerns and opinions. In his leadership, we are a team and we lead together. It helps that we do not assess what the other person does for us, but that we consider what we can do for them.
At church, regarding fellow believers, we are to lovingly submit to each other. And of course, we are to submit, respect and listen to our spiritual leaders (as unto the Lord). A good pastor and church will say, "Don't just take our word for it, read and study the Bible for yourself to make sure that what we say and do is right." Because, God and His word should always come first in the chains of command.
If we don't know God and what He wants for us, how can we determine exactly what to do in all the various circumstances and relationships we find ourselves in? he Bible is not only our instruction manual for life, but God's love letter to the world; because - it is not about following do's and don'ts, it is about having a personal relationship with the Lord, which then helps us in all other relationships and circumstances.
No comments:
Post a Comment