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.
Esther 2:20 NIV
We often find it easier to appear humble when we own little or seem insignificant to others. But elevation reveals the true test of our character, not lowliness. This is where the story of Esther offers us a beautiful and sobering lesson on true humility and submission.
Esther, a young orphan, grew up under the care of her uncle Mordecai. As the only father figure in her life, he earned her obedience—likely rooted in both necessity and honour. She knew that disobedience could leave her without the one person who cared for her. Her life, in many ways, depended on it. And so, we can assume that she was careful to be on her best behaviour.
But it is in Esther 2:20 that we see the true measure of her heart. By this point in her life, Esther had become queen. She held a powerful and exalted position—yet her status did not corrupt her spirit. Instead, she remained obedient to Mordecai. She continued to honour his voice and follow his counsel, just as she did when she was a young girl under his roof.
This tells us something profound: her humility and submission were not circumstantial. They were not dependent on her position. They were part of who she was.
True humility is not performative. It is not something we wear when we are lowly, only to cast it aside once we are celebrated. Esther reminds us that genuine humility is consistent. It is rooted in character, not condition.
We live in a time where it is easy to honour those who shape us when we are in need. But what happens when we no longer need them? Do we begin to snub the very hands that fed us? Do we ignore the voices that once shaped us simply because our platform has become bigger than theirs?
Esther didn’t do that. She became queen, yet Mordecai’s place in her heart did not change. His role as a guardian, mentor, and spiritual guide remained intact. Her elevation did not birth rebellion.
Let us learn from her example. Let us walk in humility that transcends seasons. Whether we are in the palace or obscurity, may we remain teachable, bendable, and honourable.
True greatness is not just seen in what we become but in how we treat those who helped us become it. May our elevation never cause us to forget our foundation.