What can Esther teach us about favor with God and man? Let’s find out!
Before Esther became a queen, nobody knew much about her. They probably just saw her as the Jewish little girl the Mordecai had adopted following the death of her parents. She lived her life the best way she knew how, until one day when Mordecai whisked her off to the palace to ‘try out’ for the queen’s position. Esther had all the physical features necessary for the job, but there were several other young women hoping to be chosen as Queen. She still made it through, though, and gained the favor of all the people around her. How did she do it?
Favor with the King and his people
The decision to find a new queen was made and the edict declared all over. When Mordecai heard about it, he quickly sent Esther in, even though she had no idea what she was supposed to do while inside the palace. She, however, followed all the instructions given to the young virgins and did exactly what was expected of her. Her actions won the favor of Hegai, the man in charge of the harem, and she was able to get special treatment that increased her chances of becoming Queen.
Esther 2:8-9 “When the king’s order and edict had been proclaimed, many young women were brought to the citadel of Susa and put under the care of Hegai. Esther also was taken to the king’s palace and entrusted to Hegai, who had charge of the harem. She pleased him and won his favor. Immediately he provided her with her beauty treatments and special food. He assigned to her seven female attendants selected from the king’s palace and moved her and her attendants into the best place in the harem.” (NIV)
Following instructions sounds easy enough, doesn’t it? Now imagine having to join a group of noisy young women in a place you know nothing about, trying your best to hear and do everything that you are told, bearing in mind that the people giving you instructions are the same people who carried you into captivity. This was a tough call for Esther, but she did the right thing, and it gained her favor.
Finally, after a long period of beauty preparation, it was time to go to the king, and Esther was all set. Once again, she listened carefully to Hegai’s words…
Esther 2:15 “When the turn came for Esther (the young woman Mordecai had adopted, the daughter of his uncle Abihail) to go to the king, she asked for nothing other than what Hegai, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the harem, suggested. And Esther won the favor of everyone who saw her.” (NIV)
Esther won the favor of everyone around. More importantly, she caught the eye of the King.
Esther 2:17 “Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.” (NIV)
Esther knew she was a Jew. She knew that she deserved better than a life in exile. She also knew, however, that Mordecai would not send her into the palace for no reason, even though she had no idea what the reason was. Esther may have had doubts and misgivings about the whole scenario, but she still went on to do everything she was told, out of reverence to God and respect for Mordecai. These actions earned her the title that every woman in the kingdom desired, the title of Queen.
Earning favor is usually one of the last things I think about when I am in a difficult environment. When I am challenged from every side, my first instinct is usually to protect my own interests. Esther could have done the same thing -rebelled against the people in the harem, against her uncle, and against the King – but she didn’t. She made the best of her situation and trusted that the God who sent her into the palace would take care of her.
Favor with Mordecai
Mordecai must have known hundreds of young ladies or relatives who he could have sent into the palace, but he chose Esther. Was it her good looks that made him think she would settle in well? Was it the fact that they were related? Did he hope to benefit from her position if she was made queen? I tend to think that Mordecai knew that Esther was created for something great, but he didn’t know exactly what it was. He just followed God’s leading, sending his beloved girl into the palace, trusting that God would be with her.
And… Esther followed his instructions without a single complaint. She obeyed Mordecai just as she had done since her childhood.
Esther 2:20 “But Esther had kept secret her family background and nationality just as Mordecai had told her to do, for she continued to follow Mordecai’s instructions as she had done when he was bringing her up.”(NIV)
Later on, when the lives of the Jews were threatened, Mordecai pointedly told Queen Esther that she was in the palace for a reason – to save her countrymen. She could have said no, justifying her actions using the excuse that the King only spoke to her when he summoned her, or that as Queen, she was not obliged to do what Mordecai asked. But guess what – she still obeyed him.
If Esther had not won Mordecai’s favor from the beginning, he would not have sent her into the palace. He would not have trusted her with such a noble task. Because Mordecai knew what kind of person she was, however, and that she would do exactly what he requested her to do, he was certain that Esther was the right person for the job.
If God had a job for you to do, would you do it in full obedience to Him? Would you obey without asking? Does God consider you to be the right person for the job based on your past experience with Him? These are the questions I am asking myself at this point.
Favor with God
The Jews had a problem. Haman had successfully put in place a plan to have them all annihilated. When Mordecai heard about this plan, he put on sackcloth and ashes and went around the city mourning bitterly. His actions were reported to Esther, who on enquiring what was going on, was told of the imminent slaughter of the Jews. Esther was not sure how she could help, as the King was strict about who entered his presence. Mordecai, however, reminded her that she was still a Jew and that once the King found out, she would not be spared.
Esther 4:15-16 ‘Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”’ (NIV)
Esther finally understood why God allowed her to become Queen – to stand in the gap for her people. Esther also knew that without God’s favor, she would not be successful in her plea to the King.
After her fast was over, she prepared herself and went to see the King. I can imagine that as Esther walked there she was crying out the Lord for His favor. God, in His mercy, granted her the favor she requested.
Esther 5:2 “When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.” (NIV)
What a miracle! Not only was the King pleased to see her, but he granted her next request, which was to attend a banquet for him and Haman, where she would make known her initial request.
Esther 7: 1-2 ‘So the king and Haman went to Queen Esther’s banquet, and as they were drinking wine on the second day, the king again asked, “Queen Esther, what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.”’(NIV)
Another miracle – the King was so pleased with Esther that he offered her anything she wanted. And, when she finally revealed the fact that she was a Jew, he was quick to rescind his execution order, instead ordering the arrest of Haman!
Isn’t that favor?
Earning God’s favor can be both simple and hard – simple if you are ready to submit to His will, hard if you are not ready to obey Him. Many times I have not been a beneficiary of God’s favor simply because I have decided that my own way is better, or that I don’t have to obey Him to the letter. A costly mistake, if you ask me. God’s favor is one of best things that any Christian can receive from Him – so why make the process of receiving it so hard?
As Christians, God expects us to live in such a way that we receive favor from those around us. The best way to earn this favor is by pleasing God first and learning to live lives that glorify Him. Once we learn how to please Him, we will then learn how to win favor from those around us, and in the process, become effective witnesses for Christ!
Psalm 84:11 “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.” (NIV)
Hi, everyone! I hope you enjoyed reading about Esther and her encounters with favor. I also hope you have learnt that living a life submitted to God, a life in obedience to Him and a life that pleases Him will earn you His favor and as a result, the favor of those around us. What do you think about all this? Let me know in the comment box below, and don’t forget to share this article with a friend. Have a blessed week ahead!