Honor, Submission, and Favor

And Teachability and Humility

Esther did not reveal her people or kindred, for Mordecai had charged her not to tell. Esther 2:10

It is here we are given our first glimpse of the relationship between Esther and Mordecai, the one who had adopted her as his own daughter after the death of Esther’s parents. And what we see is Esther’s submission to Mordecai’s “charge,” Mordecai’s authority, which had prepared her well for where the Lord was taking her. For after Mordecai, Esther would have to submit herself to the care and keeping of Hegai, the eunuch put in charge over her, and then ultimately to the king himself. And as her story unfolds, we see it was Esther’s submission to the eunuch that granted her the favor she needed. This in turn prepared Esther to walk in the delicate balance of honor and submission before the king that would enable her to keep her head as it were. This is how valuable these virtues were in Esther’s life. Let’s take a look at how submission and honor continued to play out in Esther’s life, after her year-long preparation to go and stand before the King:

When the girl went into the king, she was given whatever she asked for to take with her from the harem to the king’s palace…..When the turn came for Esther…to go to the King, she asked for nothing except what Hegai the king’s eunuch, who had charge of the women, advised. Esther 2:13 & 15

But also we find the first mention of Esther’s relationship with the eunuch in a preceding verse:

So when the king’s order and his edict were proclaimed, and when many young women were gathered (taken) in the citadel of Susa in custody of Hegai, Esther also was taken into the king’s palace and put in custody of Hegai, who had charge of the women. The girl pleased him and won his favor, and he quickly provided her with her cosmetic treatments and her portion of food, and with seven chosen maids from the king’s palace, and advanced her to the best place in the harem. Esther 2:8-8

This is favor! And what do you suppose it was that brought Esther this level of favor. It was by God’s hand and it was her willingness to submit to the ones who had authority in her life. And her ability and willingness to honor them in the process. And to trust God’s unseen hand in the midst of her circumstances.

Also, we aren’t told how old Esther was, but according to the custom of the time, she would have been a girl in her teen years. And for such a young girl, she exhibits quite a level of maturity, and we might credit this to Mordecai’s influence in her life. We also aren’t told how young she was when she lost her parents, but it was likely under adverse circumstances as it was during a time of the Jews being exiled from their land. Things couldn’t have been easy. Yet Esther carries herself with dignity and grace, and part of that is her willingness to endure her circumstances and submit to those who had been placed in authority over her life. Esther had no choice in the matter, even her food was apportioned to her, yet she made the most of it.

We are even told a second time, in Esther 2:19 that we might take note”

“Now Esther had not revealed her kindred or her people, as Mordecai had charged her; for Esther obeyed Mordecai just as when she was brought up by him.

At this point in her life, Esther has no control over her life, yet she continues to submit, portraying a trust level in God that is quite high. And after Haman convinces the king to write the decree that called for the annihilation of the Jews, once again Esther is charged by Mordecai to “go to the King and make supplication to him and entreat him for her people” (Esther 3:8).

And you know the story, Esther, who operates under authority rises to authority as she continues to follow Mordecai’s counsel:

For if you keep silence at such a time as this, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another quarter, but you and your father’s family will perish. Who knows? Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this. 4:14

Esther rose to dignity and authority because she submitted to authority with dignity and with grace. And in doing so she fulfilled her part in history. What reward might there be with us as we learn to honor those we recognize God has placed in authority over us? And honor our fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord? Giving honor and preference to others, above our own selves. Esther modeled this well, and she received the reward for it, for herself and for her people:

Now what is your petition? It shall be granted you. And what further is your request? It shall be fulfilled. Esther 9:12, the king to Esther…

Meditative Scripture:

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit (as did Haman), but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not (only) to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Philippians 2:3-4 (parentheses added)