Esther 2:10

Mordecai brought up his cousin Esther in his home as though she were his own daughter, and between them there was a very close and loving relationship. Esther was marked above all else by her obedience to Mordecai's orders, whether or not she understood what they were for. He had forbidden her to declare her people or her birth, and Esther obeyed. She did what Mordecai told her, just as she had when she was brought up in his house (v. 20). The time had not yet come to declare her origin.

On Mordecai's advice, Esther had not revealed her nationality (v. 10). Some have thought this was deception. Without taking sides in the matter, we know that God used the whole situation to bring great blessing to the Jews, even though He would not let His name be tied to all that was done. In fact, we may well ask whether a Jewish woman should think of marrying a Persian, king or not, and whether Mordecai should encourage such a match.

Whatever we may think of Mordecai or of Esther in this matter, Scripture is silent here. It neither accuses nor excuses. And we do not wait long before the vital question is raised. The Jews must either perish or be delivered beyond all outward hope — yet with no sign, no wonder, no miracle.

Mordecai was not content that the Jews should be despised in this foreign land. He had ambitions for his adopted daughter, who might be a means by which the Jews would receive more honor. We cannot say that God ordered Mordecai into this project, for Mordecai's object was not the honor of God, but the blessing of the Jews.

This has been called deception, unusual cleverness, and cowardice. It was none of these. God's providence ordered it. Esther's parents were dead, so hiding her nationality was not hard. Had her parents lived, it would have been next to impossible. If people had known she belonged to a foreign race, plots to destroy her would soon have started. Haman's wicked plan may even then have been taking shape.

If Esther had revealed the connection, and it had become known that Mordecai at the gate was her uncle and she his adopted daughter, he would not have stayed in that unnoticed place at the gate. The plotters would then have been careful. They would not have spoken where someone so closely tied to the queen could hear. Mordecai learned of the planned attempt on the King's life because nobody knew who he was, and so nobody took any notice of him.

Esther's name means "I will be hidden." Her identity stayed hidden even after she became the wife of Ahasuerus. God too is hidden from view in the book of Esther.

Although she is acknowledged as queen, what she really is has not yet been shown. Mordecai, who in fact had all authority over her, had commanded her not to make known her birth. It will be the same at the time of the end. Before the Lord openly acknowledges the origin of His Jewish wife, He will have His wife in the form of a despised and persecuted remnant. She will not yet be shown to the world, yet she will still find grace in the eyes of many. Her beauty will be known to her Husband before He can present her to the world.