Esther: Silent but Sovereignনমুনা

Verses 5–7 transfer our attention from the palace to the home of a man named Mordecai. We’re told that Mordecai was a Jew from the tribe of Benjamin and that he was living in Susa.

It seems that Mordecai’s great-grandfather was one of the Jews who had been taken into exile from Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar. Although some of the Jews had since returned to Jerusalem, Mordecai was still living in Persia, in the citadel of Susa, close to the king’s palace.

Mordecai was raising his orphaned cousin, Hadassah, also known by her Persian name, Esther. Verse 7 tells us that Mordecai had taken Esther ‘as his own daughter when her father and mother died’. This suggests that he was a man of integrity and compassion.

Even after Esther entered Xerxes’ palace, we’re given the lovely picture of a concerned and protective guardian, as we read that every day Mordecai ‘walked to and fro near the courtyard of the harem to find out how Esther was and what was happening to her’ (v. 11). He was not a man who had adopted his younger cousin out of a begrudging sense of duty, eager to be shot of his responsibility as soon as possible. Mordecai showed a continuing commitment to Esther and a deep concern for her well-being, even after she left his home for the palace. Mordecai’s love for Esther contrasts starkly with Xerxes’ self-love. 

We’re also introduced in verses 5–7 to Esther, the orphan being raised by her older cousin, Mordecai. However loved and cared for she was by Mordecai and however much she loved him, Esther knew the devastation and crushing pain of losing not just one but both of her parents at a young age. She had experienced tragedy, but God was working so that years later Esther would be instrumental in saving the Jews. 

The only other detail we read about Esther at this point is that she was very beautiful; verse 7 says she ‘had a lovely figure and was beautiful.' She was an insignificant Jew and had no connection with powerful King Xerxes. But God, in His sovereignty, was weaving their lives together to accomplish His purposes for His people. 

There are many examples in the Bible of people whose circumstances were sometimes tragic from a human perspective, but in God’s sovereignty led to triumph. Consider Job, Joseph, Ruth, Daniel, and Paul. The greatest example by far though is that of Jesus, whose rejection and suffering on the cross won forgiveness of sins and peace with God for all who trust in Him

Reflection

Are you able to trust God’s sovereignty in disappointment or disaster? Do you look for His hand in every situation?