[Chapter 2]

King Xerxes gave a command for Queen Vashti to be brought in order to display her beauty to the people and nobles. When she refused to come, the king decided to give her royal position to someone else. Esther (the girl Mordecai had adopted, the daughter of his uncle Abihail ) was chosen to become the Queen. We see that Esther was successful.

1. Obedience and Loyalty

Esther 2:10
Esther had not revealed her nationality and family background, because Mordecai had forbidden her to do so.

Esther 2:20
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.

Shows Esther's obedience towards Mordecai's instructions. She had been loyal since the time he was bringing her up. She respected him like she would her own father. She was grateful for what Mordecai had done for her. Are you respectful and grateful towards your parents? Are you loyal towards your leader in the church? Are you grateful for the counseling and advice you get? Are you grateful for the marriage and partner you have in your life?

2. Being Patient When it's Painful

Esther 2:12
Before a girl's turn came to go in to King Xerxes, she had to complete twelve months of beauty treatments prescribed for the women, six months with oil of myrrh and six with perfumes and cosmetics.

Esther had to undergo 12 months of beauty treatment. Six months with oil of myrrh and six months with perfumes and cosmetics. She was willing to take all the pains to make herself presentable to the king. She was patient during all those hours of waiting. As disciples are you patient when someone is teaching you from the Bible or do you get distracted. Do you take deep interest and take down notes during messages? Are you willing to go through all the training in order to be the best disciple?

3. Taking Advice and Humility

Esther could have taken advantage and taken anything she wanted form the Harem. But she was humble, she took advice and took nothing other than what Haggai, the king's Eunuch suggested. Are you taking advice or are you taking advantage in your Christian life? Do you take advice about your job, marriage, about going out of town?

4. Being Righteous in Everything

Esther 2:21-22
21 During the time Mordecai was sitting at the king's gate, Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's officers who guarded the doorway, became angry and conspired to assassinate King Xerxes.
22 But Mordecai found out about the plot and told Queen Esther, who in turn reported it to the king, giving credit to Mordecai.

Esther got to know through Mordecai, that two of the king's officials had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. She could have taken the credit of saving the King's life for herself, but she was righteous and gave Mordecai the credit. Are you taking the credit of visitors, studies … for yourself? Are you being righteous and giving the credit to the right person and to God.

As disciples we need to believe that God can use us in a powerful way and even raise us up just as Esther was raised to become the queen. God wants to use us no matter what background we have come from, let us make ourselves available for God at all times.