How can Esther's obedience inspire us to respect parental guidance today? Esther’s Quiet Choice “Esther still had not revealed her lineage or her people, as Mordecai had instructed her, for she continued to follow Mordecai’s instructions as she had done when he was bringing her up.” (Esther 2:20) What We Notice in the Text • Esther is an adult queen in a foreign palace, yet she still submits to the counsel of her adoptive father. • Her obedience is not sporadic but consistent—“she continued.” • The verse connects present submission with past upbringing; the habits of childhood have become the reflexes of adulthood. Why Mordecai’s Guidance Mattered • Protection: Revealing her Jewish identity too soon could have endangered God’s larger rescue plan. • Positioning: Obedience allowed Esther to remain strategically placed for the moment she would intercede for her people (Esther 4:14). • Pattern: Mordecai models Deuteronomy 6:6-7, impressing God’s commands “upon your children.” How Esther’s Example Speaks to Us Today 1. Respect for Parents Reflects Trust in God – Ephesians 6:1-3 links honoring parents to receiving God’s promise of well-being. 2. Lifelong Influence Matters – Proverbs 1:8-9 reminds us a parent’s instruction becomes “a garland of grace.” Esther shows that garland still fits even in adulthood. 3. Obedience Positions Us for Future Purpose – Luke 16:10: faithfulness in small instructions equips us for larger responsibilities. Esther’s hidden obedience preceded national deliverance. 4. Humility Over Independence – James 4:6: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Esther’s deference opened doors grace alone could swing wide. Practical Ways to Honor Parental Guidance • Keep Communication Open: Share decisions with parents; invite their perspective. • Weigh Counsel Prayerfully: Compare advice with Scripture, seeking alignment as Esther did. • Express Gratitude: Verbalize thanks for past and present guidance. • Model Teachability: Let children, friends, and church family see a spirit willing to listen. When Counsel Seems Difficult • Remember Proverbs 12:15—“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel.” • Seek Confirmation in God’s Word; never obey advice that contradicts Scripture (Acts 5:29). • Ask God for Wisdom (James 1:5) to discern timing and application, just as Esther timed her revelation wisely. Encouragement for Parents • Do not underestimate daily instruction. Mordecai’s years of steady guidance bore fruit in a royal court. • Your investment may surface at pivotal moments you never see coming. Living it Out Esther’s obedience turns what could feel ordinary—listening to a parent—into an instrument God uses for extraordinary deliverance. By choosing humble respect for parental guidance, we align ourselves with the same faithful God who wrote Esther’s story and is still writing ours. |
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