Skip to main content

Obedience Observed

My favorite book of the Bible is Esther. Interestingly, the name of God is not mentioned in the entire book, but I love the bravery of the young Jewish girl who won the heart of the king. I guess it appeals to my girlish notions of the ultimate love story. 

However, I want to explore further than just the surface of the story right now. At the very heart of Esther, the Queen and the Book, was obedience. She was orphaned early in life and adopted by her cousin Mordecai. When she was ordered, probably against her will, along with the other girls in the region to be presented to the king as a potential wife, she obeyed her cousin’s order not to reveal her true identity. She kept secret that she was Jewish. 

She found favor in the king’s eunuch in charge of the beauty treatments required for the girls, and as a result, obeyed his instructions on selecting only what he suggested in order to win the king’s affection. It worked. Still, she honored Mordecai’s instructions and never reveal her nationality. The king fell in love with her and made her queen. Still she obeyed…

“Esther continued to keep her family background and nationality a secret. She was still following Mordecai’s directions, just as she did when she lived in his home. Esther 2:20 NLT

Well, as the story rocks on, an evil man named Haman decides that he hates Mordecai, and, filled with rage, convinces the king to annihilate the Jewish people. It is at this moment that Mordecai appeals to Esther for help. But there’s a catch: if she visits the king uninvited, she would possibly lose her life. She asks her family and friends to fast and pray for three days and prepares herself to meet with the king.

Esther is pleasing to the king and he offers his scepter as a sign that she is welcome in his presence. She requests an audience with her husband, the king, and Haman. During the dinner that she has had prepared, she obeys Mordecai once more and finally reveals her nationality to the horror of both the king and Haman, who begs Esther for his life. The king, enraged by Haman’s trickery has him killed, and the Jewish people are saved. Because one woman obeyed.

Submission to authority is not always easy. When Esther married and became queen, she certainly was no longer bound to honor the request of her cousin. But she did anyway. Many young people (myself included… a while back) get a small taste of freedom and feel they are no longer bound to authority figures like parents, older siblings, teachers, etc. How I wish I had been more submissive to authority in my late teens and early twenties!

The fact is, God has placed people in positions of authority for His glory and purpose. Esther wasn’t looking to be queen, and was likely forced into a situation that was frightening and foreign to her. Yet, she obeyed.

How do you handle obedience? If you can’t submit to authority that God has placed in your life, how can you truly submit to God? Ask Him to soften your heart to accept and work under those placed above you with a servant heart. And remember that those who are faithful in the little things will become ruler of many.




© Jill Cook and Unbroken & Undone Ministries. All rights reserved.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Feelings and Faith

Vulnerable moment: it’s been a crazy week. If I’m being honest, the last six months or more have been wrought with uncertainty and so many questions within myself about my purpose.  I’ve been in a season of transition in our family with adapting to having an independent adult child and an independent teenage son-both of whom are thriving. So my purpose as a mom has shifted into steadfast support and guidance from a distance rather than rushing to the rescue, which I know is where we should be with them. This shift has adjusted our marriage. Lyndon and I are both learning how to navigate this new territory, and I’m so grateful we have each other.  My Daddy died suddenly last year, and I am still grieving the unexpected loss and what could have been. Grief is a strange journey and differs for everyone. What I know is Christ gives me the most profound peace when I feel my turbulent heart trying to sway me. But it certainly is a sadness that is layered. Because of these major life...
Post a Comment
Read more

He’s Already Heard My Prayer

This is one of the most difficult pieces to write. My dad, Steve, passed away this morning unexpectedly. He was the “Music Man” in my world who made life a song.  Daddy was responsible for putting me on the stage. At two years old, he stood me on the altar at church so everyone could watch me sing “Victory in Jesus.”   At twelve, he was teaching me how to set up equipment and mix sound. As a teenager, we wrote songs together. His love of music is so deeply ingrained in me that I feel a piece of that is somehow missing now. Things were not always great between me and Daddy. In fact, we went for a long time without having contact with one another. I’m so grateful that God restored our relationship in his final years. Neither one of us were perfect in our relationship, but I always loved him deeply. So today, I’m heartbroken. Memories are flooding my mind, and there are so many things I still wanted us to share. I know the coming days will be filled with waves of grief and the st...
Post a Comment
Read more

Five Favorite Things

  With Valentine's Day coming up, I've been thinking about the "stuff" that I really like. Flowers are great, and jewelry is nice. But if you want a friend gift or something a little more unique, here are a few ideas. Perhaps this post will help you shop for the perfect gift that will become a "favorite thing." For the Music Lover If you are purchasing for a musician or vocalist, you have a ton of options including a guitar pick necklace or keyring to tickets for a concert. Even vintage gifts like records have made a strong comeback in the music community. Things to consider when purchasing for your musical genius: what is their favorite genre? Who is their favorite artist? Before buying that album, make sure they don't already have it. For the Teacher I can tell you most assuredly what many teachers DON'T need: another mug. Even though this seems like a simple, cute gift, as a teacher, I have difficulty parting with any gift from students. I have ...
Post a Comment
Read more