Be Prepared

Scripture Reading – Esther 2:8-16

Be Prepared

We begin our study of the book of Esther this morning. The story of Esther is about how the world tried to destroy the Jewish race. But God preserved His people. He kept His covenant with Abraham.

It is interesting to note that God’s name is never mentioned in the book of Esther, but you can see His hand at work throughout the lives of Esther and Mordecai.

Chapter One of Esther gives us a brief background about what is happening. The King of Persia, King Ahasuerus or King Xerxes as he was also known, is giving a party, a banquet for some important people in His kingdom. The princess, attendants, army officers, nobles and so on were all there.

After several days of this party, the King tells his servants to go get his wife, the queen. Dress her up nicely and bring her to the party so he can show off her beauty to everyone there.

The queen refuses the request. The King’s advisors tell him to make an edict and declare that the queen is no longer allowed in the King presence because of her disobedience.

Now they weren’t really concerned about the alleged disrespect the Queen showed the King, they were really more concerned about an uprising in their households, having their wives disobey them. Remember, at this point in time, women were treated like possessions.

So, the King listens to his advisors and the Queen is no longer allowed around Him and his edict informs everyone that the men are to be the masters of their household.

At the beginning of chapter 2 we find the King is now a little lonely without his wife, so he asks his advisors what he should do. The brilliant advisors tell him to round up all the beautiful young women, give them beauty treatments for a year and then see which is best.

Of course, the king likes this idea, so he orders it to be done. During the round up, a young women, named Esther, was taken. Esther is described as a beautiful women, having a perfect face and perfect figure. And this is before the year long beauty treatment.

Esther’s parents were killed during a raid some years ago, so she lived with her older cousin Mordecai who took care of her and treated her as a daughter. Mordecai was very well aware of the hatred for Jews, so he told Esther not to make it know that she was a Jew.

As I mentioned Esther was very pretty physically, but she was also a charming young lady with her personality. She trusted others in her life, but most importantly she trusted God.

Esther finds favor with the chief servant, Hegai, who was overseeing this project of the Kings. Hegai treats Esther nicer than the others, he provides better beauty treatment and personal advice to help Esther.

When Esther’s turn came to meet the King, the King also found favor with her and married her.

What an interesting story so far. It sounds like a nice love story or something, but how is it religious? What does it mean to us today?

Looking at Esther’s life, we see that she lost her parents. She had to rely on someone else to provide for her. She saw God’s hand protecting her through Mordecai. When she was taken from Mordecai, she listen to him and she trusted God with her life.

She was nice to her “captives” so to speak and the head servant found favor with her and helped her out. See God prepares us for our future through our current experiences. We don’t always know why things are happening the way that they are, but we can simply trust in God’s plan.

God especially uses our consciences to work in our lives. He uses it to convict us of our sin. It enables us to rely on him for strength and guidance. We don’t know what is coming next in our life.

We simply need to take it as it comes and trust that God indeed does have a plan for us. He is in control and He knows what He is doing.

Looking back at my life, and I know the world doesn’t revolve around me, but looking back just a few years ago. My wife and I were attending a church, that eventually closed. After that we rearranged our schedules and starting attending the Strongstown church were I had attended before my father entered the ministry.

From Strongstown I attended some lay speaking courses and before long I was filling in for my Dad while he was sick. Next thing I know I am preaching regularly to a couple of churches.

This all started because a Church closed and we went to another church. Had that original church not closed, I am not sure if I would have had the opportunities to do what I do today. Don’t get me wrong it was sad that the church closed, but it worked out according to God’s plan for me.

From what I understand the people who attended the church that closed have gone to another church and are actively involved in it as well.

And that is the point of our scripture this morning. Be prepared. God has a plan for you. Read His Word, look at examples of faithful people, Moses, Abraham, Mary, and so on.

Ask God to open your eyes to His plan for your life. Don’t get discouraged when things don’t appear to be going according to your plan. Instead look at God’s plan. Pray that He will open your eyes to see what He sees and for the wisdom and knowledge and trust to accept the things that have been placed into your life.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank you that you play a part, a big part, in each and every one of our lives. We know that you have a plan for us. Help us to be available and prepared for you to use us to accomplish your plan.

Help us to prepare for your plan by studying your word and listening for your call in our lives. We don’t know what is in store for us, but we can trust in you. In Jesus Name we pray and give thanks. AMEN.