Unaware

Then Esther summoned Hathak, one of the king’s eunuchs assigned to attend her, and ordered him to find out what was troubling Mordecai and why.

Esther 4:5

If you are familiar with the story of Esther, then you know that wicked Haman went to King Xerxes and put a plan in motion to produce an edict that declared that all the Jews in Persia—young and old, women and children were to be destroyed, killed and annihilated and their goods were to be plundered. (Esther 3:13) A literal genocide had been planned against the Jews in Persia.

But apparently, as queen, Esther was insulated from a lot that went on in the kingdom because it does not appear that she knew about this edict. Mordecai had to tell her. Think about that! Esther’s people are in grave danger. They are about to be wiped out… and Esther is completely unaware. She is so insulated that she isn’t aware of the suffering of her own people.

Is that true of you? I would argue that American Christians are pretty insulated from the persecution and danger that Christians face in other parts of the world. It would be pretty easy for us to be unaware of that or even to ignore it. Do you?

When was the last time you prayed for your brothers and sisters in Christ who are persecuted for their faith… who are in danger of being martyred for their faith? How often do you think about the plight of Christians in Iran, in North Korea, in China, or in Nigeria?

Honestly, I don’t think about them nearly enough. I doubt you do either. So, I want to encourage you to make a point to pray for persecuted believers this week. Pray for the Christians who live in these hostile places to be bold in their witness and wise in how they conduct themselves. Pray for the orphans and widows of Christian martyrs. And consider giving to an organization like Voice of the Martyrs that ministers to persecuted believers and their families. Let’s not be unaware.

Submit When You Don't Have To

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.

Esther 2:20

Esther is now the queen of Persia! She has wealth and power at her disposal. As Esther's adoptive father, Mordecai has no authority over her anymore! But Esther didn’t allow the power and the money and the position to harden her heart or turn her rebellious. Instead, she remembered the man who took her in as his own daughter when she was orphaned. And Esther chose to continue to honor her adoptive father and submit to his advice… even when she didn’t have to anymore.

In this way, Esther sets an example for us to follow. Many of us chafe under authority. I mean who likes having someone tell you what to do? No one! And oftentimes we are far too eager to break free from and get out from under the godly, loving authorities that God has placed in our lives... like our parents.

Let Esther be a reminder to you that even as adults we can honor our parents and submit to their instruction. If you are blessed enough to have godly people like that in your life, then avoid the temptation to be proud and rebellious. Choose to submit yourself to the advice of the godly even when you don't have to. Often, that's the wisest course. Because often… they actually know what they are talking about.

Salvation Day

In the midst of an entire chapter dedicated to the Final Judgment, the prophet Joel makes an important distinction between the wicked and the righteous. Just a few short verses after he has prophesied that the wicked will be trampled in the winepress of God's wrath, Joel says this: 

But the Lord will be a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the people of Israel. (Joel 3:16)

This is an important clarification that should affect how Christians feel about the coming judgment. Make no mistake about it, the Day of the Lord will be great and terrible, but the people of God will have a refuge. God’s judgment is for the wicked. It's for the unbeliever… not for Christians. I like the way the CSB Study Bible puts it. It says, “it is judgment day for Israel’s enemies but salvation day for the people of Yahweh.”* 

In other words, the Day of the Lord means something different for the people of God than it does for unbelievers. On that day, the wicked will be crushed but the righteous will prosper. Judgment Day means salvation for us… but it means condemnation for them.

If you are a believer, then that should affect how you think about the Judgment. The wicked ought to fear Judgment Day. But as Christians, we look forward to it! Because we know that even as God pours out His wrath on the sins of man… He will be a refuge for His people. That is what enables us to agree with the prayer that is presented in the next to last verse in all of Scripture. "Come, Lord Jesus." (Revelation 22:20) Amen! Come, Lord Jesus, come and rescue us from this wicked world!

*Madden, Shawn C. “Joel.” In CSB Study Bible: Notes, edited by Edwin A. Blum and Trevin Wax, 1367–75. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017.