Friday: Further Thought – Esther and Mordecai
Daily Lesson for Friday 22nd of December 2023
“To every household and every school, to every parent, teacher, and child upon whom has shone the light of the gospel, comes at this crisis the question put to Esther the queen at that momentous crisis in Israel’s history, ‘Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?’ Esther 4:14.”—Ellen G. White, Education, p. 263.
“Esther was a beautiful Jewish girl, cousin of Mordecai, who took her into his home after her parents died, and loved her as his own daughter. God used her to save the Jewish people in the land of Persia.” (Note: This second paragraph above is introductory material included about Esther in Daughters of God on page 45 and was not written by Ellen White. However, the two subsequent quotations below were written by her.)
“In ancient times the Lord worked in a wonderful way through consecrated women who united in His work with men whom He had chosen to stand as His representatives. He used women to gain great and decisive victories. More than once, in times of emergency, He brought them to the front and worked through them for the salvation of many lives. Through Esther the queen, the Lord accomplished a mighty deliverance for His people. At a time when it seemed that no power could save them, Esther and the women associated with her, by fasting and prayer and prompt action, met the issue, and brought salvation to their people. . . .
“A study of women’s work in connection with the cause of God in the Old Testament times will teach us lessons that will enable us to meet emergencies in the work today. We may not be brought into such a critical and prominent place as were the people of God in the time of Esther; but often converted women can act an important part in more humble positions. This many have been doing and are still ready to do.”—Ellen G. White, Daughters of God, pp. 45, 46.
Discussion Questions
- The book of Esther does leave us with some unanswered questions, particularly concerning Esther’s role in the court of the king, even though she was elevated to the role of queen. How do we reconcile these things with her faith, or can we?
- The famous words of Esther, “ ‘and if I perish, I perish!’ ” (Esther 4:16, NKJV), have echoed down through the millennia as an example of faithfulness even in the face of death. How do her words reflect what God’s people will face in the last days, when the issues in Revelation 13:1-18 become a reality?
- In class, go over the question, at the end of Monday’s study, about not revealing your faith at times. Should that ever be the case for us?
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Most of us are not going to be part an event where revealing our Christianity will change the course of history. We do not live in the precincts of the captains and the kings. Many of us simply have a few friends and acquaintances who we interact with daily. That does not mean that our witness is any less important and very often it is the little things we say and do that trigger a series of life-changing decisions.
Ellen White wrote the book, "Desire of Ages, here in Cooranbong in the 1890s, but around the district, she was known for her compassion for the poor and needy. A loaf of fresh bread, a pot of soup, a compassionate word at the right time. There are families in this area who can trace their first connection with Adventism back to a compassionate visit from Ellen White.
Those of us who do not mix with the captains and the kings still have a work to do among the people within our horizon.
And Just in time for the holiday season here is a slide show of birds I have photographed in November. It features a beautiful Powerful Owl, and a very nice Willie Wagtail courtship. Enjoy:
November 2023 Bird Photographs
Thank you for the beautiful pictures of the birds.
It's amazing the details your camera captures. While ir would be wonderful to see these birds in person, I know we would never
see them as detailed as this. Thank you for continuing to share them with us. Also thank you for all the insights you offer in
your contributions on SS.net. You frequently cause me to see things more clearly.
The important message here is that once you realize what the Gospel is all about, you want to share it! No matter if you're a man or woman, young or old. Develop this friendship with the owner of the Universe, and you'll see. You will find yourself in a position nobody could be in and witness this incredible LOVE!
I do believe that the Esther/Mordecai story shows that God has the whole world in His hands, not just the Isrealites, but also the Babylonians, the Medo-Persians, and in this story the capital of Persia, Shushan.
God set His people close to unbelievers for them to be light to their neighbors. They failed Him miserably, so He put them right in the midst of those who worshiped other gods, to see if trials would put a spark in them, letting their light shine without the bushel over their heads.
This story fits into God's mission, our mission. Let us let our light shine, wherever we are. Even if God puts us where our faith in God is tested, or if you prefer proved. Judges 3:1. Esther and Mordecai certainly did not hide their light under a bushel. We can also be a light if we don't reject the drawing of a loving God, who seeks us, as found between the covers of the Bible, from Genesis through Revelation. God sees, in man, defiled and ruined by sin, the possibilities of redemption. Sending His only Son to be a propitiation for our sins is evidence of Him seeing hope for us.
Thank you for the beautiful photos Maurice. Hope you have a blessed holiday season. Thanks also for leading out on ssnet. It has been a great blessing to me.
Thank the Lord.
Yes, God works in mysterious ways! It is abundantly clear to me that He has worked on behalf of His children in the case of Mordecai, Esther and their people during their time of captivity in this foreign land. Is it necessary to know ‘Esther’s exact role in the court of the king’ or how she came to be the queen? What purpose would this serve – faith or arrogant nitpicking?
If we believe that our Christian Faith was gifted to us by our heavenly Father, we do not look the ‘gift-horse’ in its mouth attempting to discover hidden agendas or misfeasance; we heartily embrace our faith! When asking the question: “who knoweth whether though art come to the kingdom for such a time as this” in the affirmative, simply believing should suffice and settle the matter - Isaiah 10:14-16.
Yes, trying times will accompany all who serve our Lord and Savior. Will we stand true to the Word of God, our faith, or do we falter because we have not received His Word and believed it with all our heart?
Though we have ample examples from the past, I cannot imagine the cunningly devised cruelty against faithful followers of our God Supreme in the last days, but I trust that He is faithful and victorious to find for us the way leading home!