For Such A Time As This

1. Because of their rebellion and disobedience, the LORD had the Jews taken captive by the Babylonians and exiled to Babylon.

2. Persian Empire eventually overthrew the Babylonian Empire; some Jews returned to Judah but many of them remained in exile.

3. Mordecai’s family had been in exile for at least four generations.

(Esther 2:5–7, ESV) Now there was a Jew in Susa the citadel whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, son of Shimei, son of Kish, a Benjaminite, 6 who had been carried away from Jerusalem among the captives carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had carried away. 7 He was bringing up Hadassah, that is Esther, the daughter of his uncle, for she had neither father nor mother. The young woman had a beautiful figure and was lovely to look at, and when her father and her mother died, Mordecai took her as his own daughter.

I. The Book Of Esther Gives Us Tremendous Insight Into The Life Of Mordecai

A. Devout (Therefore Mordecai was blessed by the LORD!)

B. Man of Integrity (A hard worker and uncompromising to his convictions)

C. Wise (In his dealings with those in authority over him; in raising Hadassah)

D. Loving (He loved the LORD! / He loved God’s people. / He loved his family.)

1. (Esther 2:7, ESV) He was bringing up Hadassah, that is Esther, the daughter of his uncle, for she had neither father nor mother. ... when her father and her mother died, Mordecai took her as his own daughter.

2. (Esther 2:11, ESV) And every day Mordecai walked in front of the court of the harem to learn how Esther was and what was happening to her.

II. Mordecai Was A Father Figure To Hadassah (Esther)

A. The LORD Used Mordecai To Help Prepare Esther To Fulfill Her Destiny!

1. Mordecai didn’t always tell Esther what she wanted to hear, but he always gave her godly council!

2. (Esther 4:13–14, ESV) Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not think to yourself that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. 14 For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

B. Esther Continued To Listen To And Obeyed The Godly Council Of Mordecai Even When She Was An Adult!

1. (Esther 2:20, ESV) ... Esther obeyed Mordecai just as when she was brought up by him.

III. From Esther’s Actions You Can See That Mordecai Had A Tremendous Effect On Her

A. Teachable

1. (Esther 2:15, ESV) When the turn came for Esther ... to go in to the king, she asked for nothing except what Hegai the king’s eunuch, who had charge of the women, advised. ...

B. Humble

1. Although Esther was beautiful there is no indication that she was haughty and proud!

C. Bold (Esther was willing to put her own life at risk to help others!)

1. (Esther 4:16, ESV) ... I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.”

D. Esther understood the power and need for prayer!

1. (Esther 4:16, ESV) “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.”

E. Wise & Patient

1. (Esther 5:3–4, ESV) And the king said to her, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given you, even to the half of my kingdom.” 4 And Esther said, “If it please the king, let the king and Haman come today to a feast that I have prepared for the king.”.

Conclusion: Esther fulfilled her destiny because she had a Mordecai (Father-figure) in her life!