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A Special Plan

Words of Faith Final

A Special Plan

Words of Faith 5-27-2021

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2008, 2021

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL

www.faithfellowshipweb.com

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Esther 2

          [5] Now there was in the citadel of Susa a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin, named Mordecai son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, [6] who had been carried into exile from Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, among those taken captive with Jehoiachin king of Judah. [7] Mordecai had a cousin named Hadassah, whom he had brought up because she had neither father nor mother. This girl, who was also known as Esther, was lovely in form and features, and Mordecai had taken her as his own daughter when her father and mother died.

 

       In the Citadel of Susa-- the fortress of the nation and place of influence-- there just happened to be a Jew.  One of God's chosen people.  One of the children of Abraham to whom God had said: "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.  I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse, and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you" (Genesis 12:2-3).  God has a way of strategically placing His people.

        The name of this Jew was Mordecai.  He was apparently not married and had no children of his own but Mordecai had a lovely cousin named Esther who had been orphaned.  Some scholars suggest that because Mordecai had access to the courtyard of the harem (2:11), he may have even been a "eunuch"-- a celibate man who was trusted to watch over a harem.  We don't know for sure but we do know that Mordecai had taken Esther into his home and raised her as his own.  Her Hebrew name was Hadassah which means "myrtle."  These two would become the unlikely choice of God to defeat an evil and despicable plot.  We can already see the larger plan of God at work.

          A few questions are in the air even at this point.  What can God do with an orphan?  "Little Orphan Esther"?  A pretty girl from a shattered family raised by an old cousin?  What can God do through a girl raised without the nurture of her mother?  Well, perhaps God could save a nation.  God is known for making wonderful choices of unlikely people. In fact, that is His specialty.

         And why would God ever allow a child to lose both parents?   We never know all of the answers to that difficult question but we can see in this case that only a young Jewess who had no family would be in a position to become the King's wife.  God does work in all things--even the death of parents-- for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

 

          Now don't miss this. Esther had been faithful in the matter of sexual purity.  Our culture often asks: "What difference does purity really make?  Isn't virginity old-fashioned?"  In this case, purity was essential.  Anything short of purity would have disqualified Esther for the mission God had for her!  

          Does that mean impurity always disqualifies people?  Certainly not.  People who have made all sorts of mistakes respond in faith and repentance and are used by God.  Rahab the prostitute was not disqualified from being used by God (Joshua 2).  But she could never have been considered for the task God put before Esther. There are some jobs in the Kingdom from which a person is forever disqualified because of impurity or infidelity.  That does not mean God will not use that person.  Fortunately, God is in the business of cleansing and redeeming.  While a person may be disqualified from some tasks they are never disqualified from God's love or being a part of His plan.  He cleanses us and makes us new.  That is the Gospel.

           Have you ever wondered if God has put you in a unique position to serve Him?  Have you wondered why certain pain and heartache have come your way?  God has a plan.  Have you wondered if purity is really worth it?  Pursue purity in every way possible.  There are some tasks and missions for which purity is essential.  Have you lost the purity God gave you?  Do not despair.  God is a God of new beginnings.  If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Cor. 5:17)

 

           Lord, is there an Esther near me that You desire me to nurture and encourage?  Someone the world would throw away, but for whom You have a great plan?  Is there some special plan You have in mind for me?  Is there some way that You are working to use the unique circumstances of my life?  Lord, cleanse me and keep me pure for whatever plan You have.  In Jesus' name.

 

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2008, 2021

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)       

2820 Business Center Blvd.

Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail, excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2010 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.