“19 When the virgins were assembled a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate. 20 But Esther had kept secret her family background and nationality just as Mordecai had told her to do, for she continued to follow Mordecai’s instructions as she had done when he was bringing her up.21 During the time Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, became angry and conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. 22 But Mordecai found out about the plot and told Queen Esther, who in turn reported it to the king, giving credit to Mordecai. 23 And when the report was investigated and found to be true, the two officials were impaled on poles. All this was recorded in the book of the annals in the presence of the king.”NIV

It seems possible that Mordecai may have held an official position (19). The ‘’king’s gate’’ was the place where official business was transacted. Did Mordecai hold this role before Esther became queen, or was it a job she secured for him? We don’t know. But there he was; and while he was there, he became aware of a plot to assassinate the king. This he reported to Esther, who in turn passed it on to the king, duly crediting Mordecai for the intelligence. He, however, was not rewarded at the time, but it is a significant point to note that it was ‘’recorded in the book of the annals’’ (23). We will see why in due course.

I found in my old Bible some quotes from Warren Wiersbe which I had seen fit to write down around this passage:

‘The selection of Esther (vv1-18) and the detection of the plotters (vv19-23) may seem to be events that do not belong together, but they are both part of God’s plan to save his people.’

Noting that Esther’s coronation was public, but Mordecai’s service was private, yet God used both in His service, Wiersbe wrote: ‘All events are important if you are living in the will of God.’

He also said, ‘Do your duty today, and let God take care of the consequences.’

Again, ‘Our good works are like seeds…planted by faith…fruits don’t always appear immediately.’

The birth of Jesus was barely noticed at the time. True, there were angelic appearances, and visits from shepherds and magi; and word reached Herod’s court. But for the most part we would have to say the birth of Jesus occurred in poor circumstances and in an obscure setting. It was like the planting of ‘’a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground’’ (Mark 4:31). But it was destined to become ‘’the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade’’ (Mark 4:32).

So let’s go on quietly doing our duty, planting seeds in possibly small corners where God places us, and trust Him for the harvest which will come in His timing (Galatians 6:9,10). This is how the Kingdom of God works.