God at Work
30 Days in Ruth and Esther - day 19
The last scene of Esther chapter two adds an event into the story that will become key and critical later on in the book. Mordecai overhears two of the king’s eunuchs plotting to assassinate Ahasuerus. They were “furious” about something, although we aren’t told what. Maybe their anger was justified, but their way of expressing it certainly wasn’t.
Mordecai tells Esther. Esther tells the king. An investigation is commenced. What Mordecai reported proves to be true. Bigthan and Teresh are executed by hanging on the gallows.
The story moves forward.
We aren’t told the motivation behind Mordecai’s actions here. Throughout the book, he is portrayed as a good man. He takes in his young cousin, assuming responsibility for her upbringing. He looks after her welfare even after she becomes an adult—and even after she becomes queen. He has the moral courage and backbone to stand on what he believes. He does what is right and good, even when it is costly.
Mordecai is a good man.
While it isn’t explicitly stated, it seems likely that Mordecai was motivated by concern for Esther when he reported the plot. If Ahasuerus had been killed, Esther’s position—and possibly her life—would have been endangered as well. So it is likely he wasn’t merely protecting the king; he was protecting his adopted daughter.
But we also see something else here. Often, doing the right thing—whatever the motivation—has effects far beyond the immediate situation. This event will have important implications for everything that follows.
Mordecai didn’t plan that. He couldn’t have known how one thing would lead to another. He wasn’t thinking, “If I save the king’s life now, he will owe me later.”
We are not meant to marvel at Mordecai’s foresight. We are meant to see that God works through people who are faithful in the moment—people who simply do the right thing at the right time.
We shouldn’t live our lives calculating and scheming, trying to position ourselves for future outcomes. That is a fool’s errand.
Instead, by God’s grace, we should seek to do what is right in front of us—and trust Him with everything that comes after.
Take heart today...God is already at work in ways we cannot see and your faithfulness is not in vain.
