Monday: Esther in the Court of the King
Read Esther 2:10, Esther 2:20. What situations might arise where nationality or religious affiliation should be hidden, at least for a time?
Read John 4:1-26, the story of Jesus and the woman at the well. Why did Jesus tell her so openly that He was the Messiah, when among His own people He was not so forthcoming? How does this account, perhaps, help us to understand Mordecai’s words to Esther?
Twice Mordecai charged Esther not to reveal her nationality and family background. This has troubled some commentators, who have questioned the need for this attitude of concealment, especially during a time that the Jewish people were not threatened.
Image © Kevin Carden from GoodSalt.com
Could she not have been a witness about her God to these pagans if she were open about who she was and the God she worshiped? Or could it be argued that to be a Jew lacked credibility at the Persian court and that revealing her ethnicity would have hindered her in gaining access to the king when she pleaded for her people? However, it appears that even before the threat occurred Mordecai had warned Esther not to reveal her identity. The fact is that the Bible does not tell us the reason for his words to her; however, as we can see with the example of Jesus, one does not have to reveal everything at once in every circumstance. Prudence is a virtue.
Meanwhile, why did Jesus speak so openly to the woman at the well and not to His own people?
Christ was far more reserved when He spoke to them. That which had been withheld from the Jews, and which the disciples were afterward enjoined to keep secret, was revealed to her. Jesus saw that she would make use of her knowledge in bringing others to share His grace.
—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 190.
Have you ever been in a situation in which you deemed it prudent not to say too much about your faith or your beliefs? What reasons did you have? As you look back now, what might you have done differently, if anything?
(21)
There have been times that I have experienced both openly sharing my beliefs, and holding off. Four years ago when I first came into the faith it seemed like very few people had even heard of the Seventh-Day Adventist church and I was so excited to share with them; however, I quickly learned that many people are quick to make a prejudice or search online. (We all know you can't believe everything you read on the internet.) Now I simply share the love of Jesus and truths from the Bible, then as God provides opportunity, I open up about being an SDA. It's beautiful and becoming much more commonly known all around the world.
Well said I think, there is a time to not reveal everything about a subject. God is faithful and His Spirit works on each heart as it is able to "see". So our prayer and study of God's word will reveal how and when to witness. Jesus and His gospel are to be revealed first and foremost. This gospel shall be preached in all the world (first)!
For the first time in my life, I am realizing that Esther made her religion a secret. I do not know why. Amid this secrecy, God worked out His will
Amen, I praise God for this wonderful Sabbath school topic in which it comforts me and gave me more insights being a missionary in a Buddhist country. God bless us all, as we work and wait for His coming!
Yes, we must be wise and serpents and harmless as doves. (Matthew 10:16)
Because of some people,s prejudices it is prudent to keep your identity in some situations till right time just as Esther did .
When someone is under the influence of the evil, because he/she did not give her life to the hand of God, Satan can influence, and force that person to do, say things that are sinful. I experienced this, and I praise the Lord that saved me, and took me from the hands of the evil. Every moment when we breath is a gift from God, and we should appreciate the moments that are given in mercy, because now is the time to come to the one, who can protect us even when hard times come. Who are you serving today? Jesus loves, and wants you to be where He is! Do you sigh to eternal happiness? If yes, than come, and choose life in Jesus! Amen!
I'm grateful for this Lesson that has taught me that we should let our lifestyle show who we are, and when we present the message that we have,we shall be accepted
I'm grateful for this Lesson that has taught me that waiting for the opportune moment to reveal your mission is the best. Apparently, this is what Mordecai sensed was right to do in this circumstance, and Esther agreed.
i. For example, in some situations one might initially act as if they know nothing when approached by a Jehovah's Witness or a Mormon, and do it not to deny Jesus, but to seize a strategic opportunity.
on mission Caleb, we do not tell who we are, unless we are pressed to do so!
Read Accle.3:1-15 For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven,,, and so on,,,,
So in the situation like Esther and Mordecai or in other similar to this God inspired Mordecai to hide their Identity, just for amoment and waiting for the correct time to reveal it...
The internet, like any other form of public media can be used by both God and satan, therefore when discussing and witnessing about religious topics I think it is best to keep your religion to yourself, but rather present Jesus the author of life and creation, for if you begin at creation (like Paul preached to the Greeks)everything else will automatically fall into place.
Remember what Solomon wrote in Eccl. 3:7 "a time to keep silent and a time to speak", we have to use discretion and exercise wisdom in these matters. Jesus said that when the time comes we will be given by the Holy Spirit what we should say.
Bless you all in your missionary work.
Psalm 56:3 , 4 “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.”
Are you putting your faith and trust in the Lord? Some people seem to trust God with their eternal salvation, but they have trouble trusting Him for their every-day life. Take comfort from these words of scripture. You can trust God with your needs today.
Mordecai was a very prudent man concerning their issue as a people of a minority language. lt is good to study a situation before disclosing who you are because sometimes this can jeopadise your mission, your social status or your safety. Mordecai was very aware of this, and this is why he was emphasizing on Esther to hide her identity for that time. There are some places in this world where there is a need for missionaries to be as prudent as Mordecai, places that are not physically safe for the gospel bearers to impose their identity on those people, places that are being dominated by religious groups that are ant-Christians and places where Adventists are a minority. In such situations, l believe the Mordecai approach is very good.
Vashti refused to do what the king ordered yet Esther was a virgin and went to the Kings's bed. What's up with that?
Esther did not go to the king's bed. Where does it say that?
The book never mentions that Esther went to bed with the king in such circumstances. And if she did, What's the problem with it, being a legitimate wife.
Now, regarding Vashti's refusal, it seems to me an act of feminism, which in that time could not fit in a culture where men dominated politics. Vashti's heroic act as we see it in history, cost her being deposed from her great position. She should had been more prudent though.
Esther 2:14 She would go there in the evening and return to a different place in the morning. She was take from the virgin area of the harem and once with the king, she would return to another area of the harem where she was part of the concubines. They went through 12 months of beauty treatments before they were "with" the king. I don't think they had a 12 month spa and beauty program so they could show the king how fast they could type. Yes the bible does say that she "slept" with the king. I would like to know where it says that she was a legitimate wife before she slept with him. We so often try to plug in things that the bible says instead of what it really says.
This is a run down of the proceedings. The author is not referring specifically to Esther here. She hasn't been taken to see the king as yet. Again, where does the Bible say that she "slept" with the king?
Deborah, what do you think Esther did when she went in to see the king after lengthy preparation and beauty treatments??
(By the way, in the KJV Bible, "slept" more often than not means "died." So, you are right that Esther did not go to "die" with the king. 😉 In the KJV Bible, sexual relations are normally spoken of as "knowing" another person. In the story of Esther, we are required to use our knowledge of ancient practices of kings with a little common sense thrown in. 😉 )
So you are saying that Esther went ahead and had sexual relations outside of marriage even though that went against God's Word?
Esther's turn to see Ahasuerus is shown in verse 15. She is presented to the king in verse 16.
In Verse 17 so he sets the royal crown upon her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.