Most know that a child should obey their parents. It is a commandment of God.
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.” Eph. 6:1
“Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.” Ex. 20:12
However, those being raised by those that are not their natural born parents often buck that authority and are not obedient to those raising them. Too often the excuse is “They are not my real parents. They’re my step parents.”
In many cases, the current “parent” or “parents” stepped in through a second marriage or as a grandparent and took the responsibility of parenting when the birth parents stepped out or could not fulfill their duty for other reasons. In many cases, it was not God’s first choice who should raise you, but it may be those that God is using to meet the child’s needs amidst abnormal circumstances.
Esther, in the Bible, was in a similar situation. Her parents died (Esther 2:7), and she was raised by Mordecai, who adopted his orphaned cousin. Her relative raised her as his child.
Even though Esther was not reared by her natural parents, she was respectful and obedient to the one who stepped in and raised her. In several places in the book of Esther we are shown that she heeded his guidance (Esther 2:10, 20, 22) rather than develop a rebellious attitude against her guardian, as many young people in that position do today.
Most likely because of her obedience to the one who had authority over her, the chapters of Esther reveal how God blessed her obedience to Mordecai. Instead of being miserable and making those who were trying to help her suffer like she was, she had a sweet spirit and because of it was exalted to be a queen. From that lofty position, she was able to preserve the Jewish people.
It is unfortunate that so many young people find themselves being raised by others rather than their natural parents. However, bitterness about their situation will not change one thing. The wrong disposition most often makes matters worse.
Have you found yourself in a similar position that Esther was in and are angry or unhappy about your situation? If you are a child of God by being saved, God knows quite well about your circumstance. God may have allowed you to be raised by those who can help you rather than being in another situation that would be worse for you. It may also be possible that He has allowed you to be in the position you are in so that in the future you can be used to bless and help others, as did Esther. Who knows but the Lord that you may find yourself in Esther’s situation realizing that all that has happened in your life could be for the best.
“… and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14
“O fathers and mothers, the ruin of your children or their salvation will, under God, very much depend on you.” — C. H. Spurgeon
