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This week’s reading: The Book of Esther (Esther 1-10)

The book of Esther is like a song that echoes a chorus we’ve heard throughout the Scriptures. We hear and see again that God puts His people in places of power for His eternal Kingdom purposes. And yet, not once is the name of God mentioned in this book. Although we don’t see Him, we take note of His familiar hand, which is doing what it’s done before: putting people in the most unexpected places for the most glorious of purposes (His own). Esther stands in history with Daniel, Joseph, and many others as a believer who remains faithful in a faithless society. Let’s take a look.

— Read Esther 1-4 —

Esther, Part 1

Esther is a Jewish exile living in the capital city of the Persian empire, Susa. She’s here living among a community of Jews, including her uncle (and caretaker), Modercai. The reigning king in Persia at the time was King Ahasuerus, a man we find in Chapter 1 to be driven by impulses, indulgence, and anger. In a turn of events, Esther is gathered among many young women in the city to be presented to the king as he looks for a new queen. After months of beautifying rituals, these women are presented to the king and the king is wholeheartedly taken with Esther. Yet little does he know; he’s just placed a Jewish girl in his courts and crowned her a Persian Queen. And here, we begin to see the plan of God unfold as He moves Esther inside a palace of power. 

Esther’s placement as queen is quickly followed by a fortunate discovery. Mordecai discovers a plot against the King. He shares this information with Esther, who tells the king. This not only protects the king’s life, but it gives Esther trust and favor in the sight of the king. This will prove critical for her Kingdom assignment.

Yet another storyline begins to unfold that threatens to disrupt Esther’s influence. Haman, a Persian official, advises the king to rid the land of all Jews because of the “threat” they pose to his kingdom. Seduced by his speech, the king authorizes Haman to create a decree to accomplish this.

Mordecai and Esther learn of this decree and become devastated. Yet, Mordecai sees an opportunity to leverage Esther’s influence as queen. Amidst her own fear, he pleads with her to consider that it is for this purpose and for this time that she has been set in the king’s court. It’s time for her to understand the greater plan of God at play. 

See the Similarities: Esther & Daniel

• Unlikely favor in high places: The circumstances of Esther are mysteriously providential. Her delivery into this city, under the care of her uncle, and into the king’s court put her in a place of great influence quickly. Just like Daniel, who God gave “favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs” and the king (Daniel 1:9-19), we see that “[t]he king loved Esther more than all the women, and she won grace and favor in his sight” (Esther 2:17). This was no accident or chance encounter or fairy tale. As we continue to read, we see that this placement was profoundly and intentionally purposeful – not just for Esther’s family but for a whole nation. 

• Pressure reveals commitment to God*: When Mordecai refuses to bow to Haman, we should recall the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and their refusal to bow to King Nebuchadnezzar’s golden statue (Daniel 3:8-12). In both Esther and Daniel, we see the community surrounding our main “characters” remain steadfast in their faith under trial. Although bowing to Haman has less to do with worship and more to do with respect, Mordecai’s defiance was a declaration: I am committed to the LORD. Esther and Daniel do not stand as lone rangers when they appear before King Ahasuerus and King Nebuchadnezzar; they stand boldly with the knowledge that they share a community who are behind them and beside them with tested dedication to the same God.
  
  *Yet we see in both instances that the faithful decisions of God’s people are not celebrated, but reviled against (Esther 3:6, 8 and Daniel 3:12). 

• (K)ingdom placement for Kingdom purposes: Daniel and Esther are both placed inside a kingdom’s walls for heavenly Kingdom purposes. We see Daniel set exactly in the place to interpret King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and proclaim, “There is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries” (Daniel 2:27), and we see Esther set exactly in the place to save the Jews. This is not merely an opportunity for them, this is a Kingdom mission (Esther 3:14). 

Meditation

I will never be able to see God’s full plan. Can I trust Him even when I can’t see Him? Consider Esther. 

What is her story? She’s a woman and an orphan being raised by her uncle in a community of people who have been displaced to a kingdom hostile to their beliefs. Where could God be in this? 

He’s there. Working ever so wisely, carefully, and powerfully to weave Esther’s story into His redemptive narrative that He’s been writing for all time. She’s chosen as queen in this hostile kingdom. She’s given access and leverage in a powerful place. She’s right there as a plot against her own people unfolds. Although God may seem hidden, He’s not absent. 

Prayer

God, 

you are the LORD of my story. 

Help me recognize You, 

even when I can’t feel You.

Amen

— Read Esther 5-10 —

Esther, Part 2

Knowing what is at stake in the kingdom, Esther enacts a plan. She hosts two separate banquets for King Ahasuerus and for Haman. At the first banquet, she requests a second banquet so that she may bring another special request to their attention. (Note: Requesting a request is indeed necessary here as her presence before the king rests solely on his favor toward her; she has no right to be before him unless he’s pleased with her. Let this be a loud reminder to you that this is not how our relationship with our Father God is.)

The night between banquets, the king cannot sleep and he commands to have the book of memorable deeds read to him. During this reading, he hears of Mordecai’s heroic interruption to the plot against him from chapter 2. In such a sovereign moment, Haman comes in to tell the king that he has prepared gallows for Mordecai the Jew. The king demands that Mordecai must be given the highest honor and led through the town square by Haman in order that he may be praised for his deeds. 

The story of Esther now reaches its crescendo. During her second banquet, Esther reveals her Jewish identity to the king and Haman’s plot to destroy the Jews. Now, the king realizes he can no longer be apathetic about this issue; this is a plot that directly affects his queen. Because of this, the king has Haman hanged on the very gallows he prepared for Mordecai. 

Yet, the issue is not solved. The order against the Jews was a decree signed by the king, and therefore, it could not be retracted. After a conference with Mordecai and Esther, the king gives them permission to write another decree that might supersede what has already been written. An edict was written that the Jews could defend their lives, no matter the cost. This decree was swiftly spread, and yet again, we see a sovereign reversal: “In the very day when the enemies of the Jews hoped to gain mastery over them, the reverse occurred: the Jews gained mastery over those who hated them” (Esther 9:1). Esther and Mordecai then declare a two-day feast shall be observed, days of gladness among them and generosity to the poor, in order to commemorate the Jews delivery from destruction.

See the Similarities: Esther & Daniel

• More sovereign sleeplessness: Both King Ahasuerus and King Nebuchadnezzar’s sleepless nights are critical turning points for the stories of Esther and Daniel. For Esther, we see that the king’s sleepless night brings news of what could have been his death, yet Mordecai saved him. For Daniel, King Nebuchadnezzar’s terrifying dream of the destruction of kingdoms brings a radical warning, yet Daniel tells him what is true and what he must do. In these leaders’ vulnerability (both realize they are not as invincible as they might think), we see them honor the believer.

• Radical wisdom and boldness: Both Esther and Daniel face profound fear as they walk inside these foreign, threatening kingdoms. Yet, they choose to wait, calculate, speak, and act in such a way that is radically supernatural in the face of their circumstances (see Esther 4:15-5:4, 7:1-6, 8:3-8 and Daniel 2, 4). Although the places they are in do not favor them, God, in His kindness, sovereignty, and power, is able to lead them through the most gruesome places for His most glorious purposes. 

Meditation

Was the book of Esther just a book full of coincidences? No. Let’s review some of the sovereign moments and ironic reversals: 

• Esther, the Jew, was chosen as the Persian queen.
• Mordecai the Jew overhears and disrupts a plan to kill the Persian king. 
• The king, in a sleepless fit, hears of Mordecai’s heroic act because he commands him to read a book of memorable deeds.
• Mordecai the Jew was raised up in honor by the king in the sight of his enemy, Haman, who was seeking his death. 
• Haman was killed in the very place he prepared for Mordecai’s death. 
• Esther is welcomed into the king’s presence. She speaks boldly and undermines Haman’s plot as she reveals her true identity. 
• The Jews, who were decreed to be killed, celebrated in the end with a feast. 

God is at work here. 

Can you see His hand? The LORD is leading the story. God is kind to move and use His people in a powerful way whether they realize it or not. He does that even now in our own story. And He invites us to participate with Him. Just like Daniel and Joseph, the LORD put Esther in a place for “such a time as this” (Esther 4:14) to be an instrument and example of His glorious sovereignty, majesty, and redemption. Where has He put you for such a time as this? 

Prayer

LORD,  

Thank You for Esther’s story, 

which shows us that You have a plan 

beyond what we can anticipate.  

May I be so bold as to follow You and be faithful to You, 

even in places I can’t quite see you.
Help me trust Your heart, 

even when I cannot see Your hand.  

Amen.