Tuesday 6 November, 2018

19 When the virgins were assembled a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate. 20 But Esther had kept secret her family background and nationality just as Mordecai had told her to do, for she continued to follow Mordecai’s instructions as she had done when he was bringing her up. 21 During the time Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, became angry and conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. 22 But Mordecai found out about the plot and told Queen Esther, who in turn reported it to the king, giving credit to Mordecai. 23 And when the report was investigated and found to be true, the two officials were impaled on poles. All this was recorded in the book of the annals in the presence of the king.

Esther was a foreigner in the king’s palace. She was hiding her identity from those around her, and I imagine that in the palace there was always someone around her. The text does not speak to it, but I wonder if it was difficult to hide her identity? I wonder if she felt like a foreigner? I wonder if there were customs and practices that offended her or violated her sense of what was sacred? I wonder if she felt alone or not truly accepted?

How vital Mordecai would have been to her in the palace. Someone who knew her, who loved her and was for her, because of who she was rather than her physical appearance or political status.

Thank you God that Mordecai captures something of your character. You know us, love us and accept us for who we are, rather than our appearance or usefulness. We’re your family. Help me to be like Mordecai, a person with whom others can rest, knowing that they are loved and accepted for who they are, sons and daughters of the Most High God. Amen.

Written by Bethany Waugh