In what ways does Esther 2:20 connect to honoring parents in Exodus 20:12? Key Scriptures • Esther 2:20: “Esther still had not revealed her lineage or her people, just as Mordecai had instructed her. She obeyed Mordecai’s command, as she had done under his care.” • Exodus 20:12: “Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.” What Happens in Esther 2:20 • Esther has been taken into the Persian palace and elevated to queenship. • She keeps silent about her Jewish identity because Mordecai—her older cousin who raised her as a daughter—told her to do so. • The text highlights her ongoing obedience: she “still” follows Mordecai just as faithfully as she did while living under his roof. How Esther Models the Fifth Commandment • Practical obedience – Exodus 20:12 calls for tangible honor; Esther’s respectful silence is an act, not merely a feeling. • Continuing honor into adulthood – The commandment never sets an age limit. Esther’s submission as a grown woman mirrors this lifelong responsibility. • Trust in parental wisdom – By accepting Mordecai’s counsel, Esther affirms that God often channels protection through parental guidance (compare Proverbs 1:8–9; 6:20–22). • Promise of blessing – The fifth commandment links honor to prolonged life in the land. Esther’s obedience becomes a means God uses to preserve the very life of her people (Esther 4:14; 9:20-22). Supporting Threads across Scripture • Ephesians 6:1-3 echoes Exodus 20:12 and underlines that honoring parents “is the first commandment with a promise.” • Luke 2:51 shows Jesus “subject” to Joseph and Mary, reinforcing the pattern of righteous obedience. • Proverbs 23:22, 25 ties parental honor to joy and blessing within the household. • Colossians 3:20 commands children to obey “in everything,” declaring this “pleasing in the Lord.” Why the Connection Matters Today • It reminds adult believers that honoring parents is never outgrown; circumstances change, the principle remains. • It showcases how God weaves individual obedience into corporate deliverance—Esther’s private respect had public, national impact. • It encourages trust that parental counsel, when aligned with God’s word, can shield us from unseen dangers. • It invites us to examine whether our own attitudes and actions toward parents demonstrate the same steadfast loyalty God commends in Esther. |
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