Esther’s husband Xerxes was succeeded by his son (from another wife) Artaxerxes as king of Persia. Artaxerxes continued his father’s favourable policy towards the Jewish people and sent Ezra back loaded up with silver and gold from the royal treasuries. He even commanded the Samaritan antagonists to give Ezra anything he needed from their treasuries which would have exasperated them no end. It is interesting to speculate on the reason for this extravagant favour and one can’t help but feel that the events recorded in Esther had something to do with this. Mordecai, remember, was second to King Xerxes. Whatever the reason though, God was behind this. God had engineered things so that his people would find the favour that they needed to open the way for what God wanted them to do. Christians seeking to do God’s work in the community have invariably experienced two contrasting responses from people: excessive opposition and extravagant favour. One person will oppose them with irrational hostility while another will go to great lengths to help them. Some doors will slam shut but others will open wider than would ever have been expected. It happens now as it happened then in the time of Ezra. You will encounter opposition, but you will also encounter great favour. The key is to focus on the favour not the opposition. God will open doors for you even though many others will slam shut. There will be favour for you as you serve God. It will come from somewhere, so don’t let opposition discourage you.
Ask God to make a way forward for you.
Read Ezra 7:11-28
