An orphan raised in love
Today's focusEsther, an orphan, is raised by her cousin Mordecai and taken into the king's palace; God is at work in hidden ways through ordinary family care.
Read
5Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite; 6Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away. 7And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter. 8So it came to pass, when the king’s commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king’s house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women. 9And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king’s house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women. 10Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it.
Reflection
Life for Esther began in the shadow of loss and displacement. She was an orphan who "had neither father nor mother," living as part of a people "carried away" into captivity. Yet, in the midst of this brokenness, God provided a home through ordinary family care. Mordecai, her cousin, did not leave her to face the world alone. Instead, he "brought up Hadassah" and "took for his own daughter." This simple act of kindness created a foundation of love and belonging for Esther long before she ever reached the palace.
As Esther is brought into the king's house, we see how this foundation sustains her in a strange new environment. Even under the pressure of a royal decree, she carries the quiet strength of her upbringing. She finds "kindness" and favor in the eyes of those around her, yet she remains faithful to the guidance of the man who raised her. While the passage does not mention a grand miracle, it shows God at work through the steady, hidden devotion of a family. Like Esther, you may find that God is using the quiet care of others to prepare you for things you cannot yet see.
AI-written reflection on the passage above. Let Scripture itself be the main thing.
Reflect
Who has cared for you like Mordecai cared for Esther, and how has God worked through them?
Pray
Lord, thank you for the people who have cared for me and raised me in love. Work through my story, even the parts that feel hidden. Use my life for your purposes.