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The Plot Thickens

Words of Faith Final

The Plot Thickens

Words of Faith 6-3-2021

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2008, 2021

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL

www.faithfellowshipweb.com

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Esther 2

     [19] When the virgins were assembled a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king's gate. [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.

    [21] During the time Mordecai was sitting at the king's gate, Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's officers who guarded the doorway, became angry and conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. [22] But Mordecai found out about the plot and told Queen Esther, who in turn reported it to the king, giving credit to Mordecai. [23] And when the report was investigated and found to be true, the two officials were hanged on a gallows. All this was recorded in the book of the annals in the presence of the king.

 

       The plot thickens.  There was a conspiracy.  Subterfuge was discovered and secrets were told.  Where was God in all this?

       Esther was the queen but her relationship with Mordecai remained a secret as did her identity as a Jewess.  And though she was a powerful ruler, Esther remained loyal to the instruction of her shrewd cousin Mordecai.

        Mordecai carefully placed himself at the city gate where he could stay on top of all things whispered and clandestine.   This allowed him to hear of a plot against the King.  Such knowledge was a valuable thing!  The greatest threat to a Persian King was from those closest to him.  History tells us that Xerxes eventually died as a result of just such an assassination.    Mordecai was credited with the information that saved the King.  He should have been well-positioned for future influence but for some reason, he was not immediately rewarded. 

        All these things would eventually work toward saving the Jewish people of the area but we have to ask once again-- "Why did Mordecai do this?"   There was no known threat to the Jewish people.  Was it blind ambition for power?   By revealing the conspiracy against the King, Mordecai clearly preserved the current kingdom and Esther's place of influence. Frankly, Queen Esther may not have survived the coup.  We do not know much about those plotting against Xerxes but we can be sure that there were many unknowns in a new regime.  Mordecai's loyalty to the King may not have been based upon anything nobler than the preservation of himself and his influence.  Nevertheless, God was at work placing Esther in the right place for the right time.

         A harsh reality is that many people will preserve the status quo simply because it is the system they know and can influence.  It may not be a good system, but it is a familiar system. Such real-world situations can be disturbing to us.  We may ask-- How can people tacitly support an ungodly government?  How can people refuse to change clearly oppressive systems?  How can people even betray the agents of change?  The answer may be as mundane as self-interested familiarity.  But here is the good news; God is still at work.

         God is still at work, even when people do the right things for the wrong reasons or the wrong things for the right reasons, or nothing for unclear reasons.  God is not thwarted.  At the time of Esther, God was preserving His people for the coming of Messiah.  He is sovereign.  He is still in control. 

          Is there something in your life that you have feared was out of the control of God?  Some political movement or social swell?  Is there some situation or conflict where self-interest seems to be winning out?  God is still at work.  God is still at work.  God is still at work.  You can bet on it.

     

        Lord, it is easy to trust You in the things where Your hand is so clearly evident.  Give me the grace to trust to You those situations where self-interest seems to win out and the status quo is easily preserved.  Give me the grace to trust that You are still at work all around me.  In the name of Jesus'.  Amen.

 

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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.