While God’s name is absent from the Book of Esther, His influence within it is undeniable. This incredible story of Esther emphasizes the significance of “favor” – the grace, kindness, and blessing bestowed upon us, much like the blessings Jesus received as He grew in grace (Luke 2:52). In 2 Peter 3:18, Peter also encouraged us to “grow in the grace” of God, while James 4:6 further explains that God is able to give a greater (more) grace. So how do we multiply God’s favor in our lives instead of wasting this undeserved grace?

Set in Susa, the capital of the Medo-Persian Empire, Esther’s story begins with King Xerxes throwing an extravagant 180-day banquet to display his power. When Queen Vashti defies him, she is banished, sparking a search for a new queen. Enter Esther, an orphan raised by her cousin, Mordecai, who found favor with those overseeing the selection process (Esther 2:9). To multiply God’s favor, we can follow Esther’s example through three key principles:

Obedience

Esther found favor and kindness in everything she did because she obeyed Mordecai’s instruction to keep her Jewish descent a secret for the meantime (Esther 2:10,15,17). Mordecai also played a crucial role in Esther’s story, obeying God and foiling a plot to assassinate the king (Esther 2:21-23). Obedience is powerful and it brings blessings into our lives. It reflects humility, honor, respect, and trust in our relationships. Children are called to obey their parents (Ephesians 6:1-3), wives to submit to their husbands (1 Peter 3:1-2), and workers to submit to their leaders – even unfair ones - because this finds favor with God (1 Peter 2:18-19). No matter how hard, obedience invites God’s grace and favor into our lives.

Faith

Faith is vital because without it it’s impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). It requires trust in His goodness and belief in the assurance that He rewards those who seek Him. Despite the dangers, when Mordecai urged Esther to act against the decree to destroy the Jews, she chose faith over fear (Esther 4:14). With courage, she called for prayer and boldly approached the king, and the king graciously listened to her (Esther 5). We must remember that faith is not the absence of fear, it’s doing what you know is right and leaving the outcome to God. Because the object of our faith is God and His word, we can depend on God and wait expectantly on Him even when our faith is tested.

Wisdom

Wisdom is a gift from God that He gives abundantly to those who ask for it (James 1:5). Esther demonstrated wisdom by timing her requests perfectly, leading to the king’s unexpected recognition of Mordecai’s heroism (Esther 6). Ultimately, Esther revealed Haman’s plot, saving her people and resulting in a celebration of their deliverance through the festival of Purim.

God offers us favor not only for our benefit but to bless others. The path of obedience may carry a heavy cost, but it will always be more costly not to follow the Lord. Let’s follow Esther’s example and embrace divine opportunities to make an impact through obedience to God, faith in God, and wisdom given by God.