How does Esther 6:3 highlight God's providence in rewarding righteousness? The Scene in the Palace • A sleepless king rereads the royal chronicles. • He discovers Mordecai’s unacknowledged act of loyalty (2:21-23). • Esther 6:3 records the immediate question that erupts from the king’s lips. Key Verse under the Microscope Esther 6:3: “What honor and dignity have been bestowed on Mordecai for this?” asked the king. “Nothing has been done for him,” replied the king’s attendants. • The verse hinges on two words: “honor” and “dignity.” • The king’s question exposes an overdue reward; the attendants’ answer exposes a startling omission. What We Learn about God’s Providence • God orchestrates even a monarch’s insomnia—He controls the subtle details (cf. Proverbs 21:1). • Righteous deeds may be forgotten by people, but never by God; He brings them back to light at the perfect moment. • The delay heightens the impact: Mordecai’s recognition will arrive precisely when Haman plots his downfall, turning the enemy’s scheme into Mordecai’s exaltation. • Divine timing showcases the principle that “in due season we will reap” (Galatians 6:9). • The king’s sudden awareness springs from God’s unseen hand, not mere coincidence. Connecting the Dots with Other Scriptures • Hebrews 6:10: “For God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name as you have served the saints and continue to serve them.” • Psalm 37:5-6: “Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will do it. He will bring forth your righteousness like the dawn, your justice like the noonday.” • 1 Samuel 2:30: “Those who honor Me I will honor, but those who despise Me will be disdained.” • These passages echo the divine pattern: service done unto God is never lost; reward is certain, though sometimes delayed. Take-Home Applications • Steadfast faithfulness counts—even when no one notices at first. • God sees, records, and ultimately rewards righteous acts; therefore, serve Him with confidence, not for immediate applause. • Delays in recognition test motives but also set the stage for greater glory to God when reward finally arrives. • Trust the Lord’s timing; His providence weaves unseen threads that will one day display His justice and kindness as clearly as Mordecai’s sudden honor. |
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