One cannot help be inspired when reading the triumphal stories of history and the Biblical story of Esther in the intertestamental period is no exception.
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Esther, the book, is distinctly Jewish. Most Christians pass over the book in favour of more popular history such as the stories of David and Goliath, the prophets, wisdom books, or the Torah (or Pentateuch). They, however, miss the golden kernels of truth that faithfulness and trust are eternal keys to success in life in any age.
Esther, the book, is distinctly Jewish. Most Christians pass over the book in favour of more popular history such as the stories of David and Goliath, the prophets, wisdom books, or the Torah (or Pentateuch). They, however, miss the golden kernels of truth that faithfulness and trust are eternal keys to success in life in any age.
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Life for the Jews in this post-exilic period was anything but easy. They would identify with the oppression suffered even in this age by various groups, for instance, the minority groups in Zimbabwe. King Xerxes (Hebrew name Ahasuerus) was a bit of a madman; treating his own family with cruelty, let alone the Hebrews, who he simply wanted to wipe out (see Esther 3:9-11).[1] But, God’s purposes prevailed as the story reveals.
Life for the Jews in this post-exilic period was anything but easy. They would identify with the oppression suffered even in this age by various groups, for instance, the minority groups in Zimbabwe. King Xerxes (Hebrew name Ahasuerus) was a bit of a madman; treating his own family with cruelty, let alone the Hebrews, who he simply wanted to wipe out (see Esther 3:9-11).[1] But, God’s purposes prevailed as the story reveals.
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One of the theological messages of Esther is the juxtaposition of fate and faith. One people, the majority, believed in fate, whilst the Jews chose faith. The ridiculous thing about this comparison is God laughs with scorn at one (fate) yet anoints the other (faith). Faith is a combination of “divine providence together with human watchfulness [i.e. prudence] and timely action [i.e. diligence].”[2] Fate is wishing alone -- it has no substance and is backed by inaction.
One of the theological messages of Esther is the juxtaposition of fate and faith. One people, the majority, believed in fate, whilst the Jews chose faith. The ridiculous thing about this comparison is God laughs with scorn at one (fate) yet anoints the other (faith). Faith is a combination of “divine providence together with human watchfulness [i.e. prudence] and timely action [i.e. diligence].”[2] Fate is wishing alone -- it has no substance and is backed by inaction.
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The author of Esther proves to us that all three qualities of faith (providence, watchfulness, and action) are represented in the story, as neither Esther nor Mordecai could foresee what would be required of them beforehand, until it was time to act.
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Back flips appear to be God’s domain as Ahasuerus’ right-hand man Haman is hanged and the man he tried to exterminate (with his draft decree), Mordecai gets his job having won the king’s favour. No one could have foretold this. This turn of events is an example of divine providence backed by faithful waiting and action. Esther 8:17 and 9:3 are examples of the common attribution of God as sovereign in the land and Mordecai’s widespread influence.[3] Many became Jews acknowledging the one true God.
Back flips appear to be God’s domain as Ahasuerus’ right-hand man Haman is hanged and the man he tried to exterminate (with his draft decree), Mordecai gets his job having won the king’s favour. No one could have foretold this. This turn of events is an example of divine providence backed by faithful waiting and action. Esther 8:17 and 9:3 are examples of the common attribution of God as sovereign in the land and Mordecai’s widespread influence.[3] Many became Jews acknowledging the one true God.
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Amazingly there are many people still today that refuse the truth of God’s providential hand in ordering the world, and instead believe in fate i.e. horoscopes, tarot cards, and clairvoyants. It is God’s eternal purposes that win out each time. When people choose to believe falsely in ridiculous, baseless notions and do not act to help their cause, they stand to fail consistently and demoralisingly.
Amazingly there are many people still today that refuse the truth of God’s providential hand in ordering the world, and instead believe in fate i.e. horoscopes, tarot cards, and clairvoyants. It is God’s eternal purposes that win out each time. When people choose to believe falsely in ridiculous, baseless notions and do not act to help their cause, they stand to fail consistently and demoralisingly.
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And what about the application of these lessons to ourselves, personally? The book contrasts the grossness of Ahasuerus’ feasts, which brought about “dire consequences,” and the opposite, diligent action of fasting (and praying) that “worked for good.”[4] This latter example of faith trusts in God to provide opportunities for us to cooperate with his divine purposes. We must hope (via prayer and fasting) and then be ever watchful to act when called to act, expressing the courage required. We should see that everyone, without exception, has a part to play in the purposes of God in the world, regardless how small and seemingly insignificant. Let us muse on these specific examples:
And what about the application of these lessons to ourselves, personally? The book contrasts the grossness of Ahasuerus’ feasts, which brought about “dire consequences,” and the opposite, diligent action of fasting (and praying) that “worked for good.”[4] This latter example of faith trusts in God to provide opportunities for us to cooperate with his divine purposes. We must hope (via prayer and fasting) and then be ever watchful to act when called to act, expressing the courage required. We should see that everyone, without exception, has a part to play in the purposes of God in the world, regardless how small and seemingly insignificant. Let us muse on these specific examples:
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The true hero in this story is Mordecai because of the steadfastness of his faith in nudging Queen Esther to act despite the very real risks to her own life in the bid to cooperate with God in the deliverance of the Jews. But the right end also needed heroic action from the Queen; she obeyed Mordecai’s direction commanding a whole-of-nation fast and committing to ‘go to the king’ at the end of it, though it was against the law, and she could’ve been executed for it. This is true courage. She could have become comfortable on the throne yet she did not break faith.
The true hero in this story is Mordecai because of the steadfastness of his faith in nudging Queen Esther to act despite the very real risks to her own life in the bid to cooperate with God in the deliverance of the Jews. But the right end also needed heroic action from the Queen; she obeyed Mordecai’s direction commanding a whole-of-nation fast and committing to ‘go to the king’ at the end of it, though it was against the law, and she could’ve been executed for it. This is true courage. She could have become comfortable on the throne yet she did not break faith.
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Haman’s arrogance should also be an example to us. His pride was his downfall as he could not bear to consider anyone (with the exception of the king) an equal to him. “God has an amazing record for making evil plans backfire on the planners.”[5] Those who dig pits for others will fall into their own pit (Proverbs 26:27). The great lesson is this: schemers in our lives will get their just desserts, but only if we leave the retribution action to God. Not only this. We too are not to be schemers or we will succumb to judgment. God is no respecter of persons. He judges equally and without favouritism. Leave justice to the true king. Trust him and he will do this, his way, and in his time.
Haman’s arrogance should also be an example to us. His pride was his downfall as he could not bear to consider anyone (with the exception of the king) an equal to him. “God has an amazing record for making evil plans backfire on the planners.”[5] Those who dig pits for others will fall into their own pit (Proverbs 26:27). The great lesson is this: schemers in our lives will get their just desserts, but only if we leave the retribution action to God. Not only this. We too are not to be schemers or we will succumb to judgment. God is no respecter of persons. He judges equally and without favouritism. Leave justice to the true king. Trust him and he will do this, his way, and in his time.
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Mordecai’s humility is also a bright shining light of example to us. He foiled the assassination attempt on the king’s life (6:2), but never sought reward for it. He must have trusted God. He didn’t need to broadcast his act or be glorified for it. God’s purposes were that the king would eventually find out and then seek to reward his faithful servant. Justice comes. How often do we wait as patiently as this or leave the kudos alone -- this is a big challenge to all of us to not seek rewards for our good deeds.
Mordecai’s humility is also a bright shining light of example to us. He foiled the assassination attempt on the king’s life (6:2), but never sought reward for it. He must have trusted God. He didn’t need to broadcast his act or be glorified for it. God’s purposes were that the king would eventually find out and then seek to reward his faithful servant. Justice comes. How often do we wait as patiently as this or leave the kudos alone -- this is a big challenge to all of us to not seek rewards for our good deeds.
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Esther’s patience of faith in not acting before time is also significant. The king was granting her ‘up to half the kingdom,’ yet she had the poise to invite the king and Haman to another banquet honouring the king. There was nothing devious about the plan, she just chose to bless the king and please him even more. That is obedient faith; to not act on self-will alone, but to wait. To voluntarily love someone without condition.
Esther’s patience of faith in not acting before time is also significant. The king was granting her ‘up to half the kingdom,’ yet she had the poise to invite the king and Haman to another banquet honouring the king. There was nothing devious about the plan, she just chose to bless the king and please him even more. That is obedient faith; to not act on self-will alone, but to wait. To voluntarily love someone without condition.
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While we wait for our justice, God’s justice, we must be prepared to act as called. For we were born for such a time as this! Be of good courage when the time comes, for it will come. The future always does.
While we wait for our justice, God’s justice, we must be prepared to act as called. For we were born for such a time as this! Be of good courage when the time comes, for it will come. The future always does.
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Faith is infinitely better than fate. We cannot afford to ignore such truth and we have nothing to lose in trying. We can only gain credibility in exercising faith. Sometimes this is about waiting patiently and sometimes it’s about acting. Faithfulness and trust tell us when each act is appropriate.
Faith is infinitely better than fate. We cannot afford to ignore such truth and we have nothing to lose in trying. We can only gain credibility in exercising faith. Sometimes this is about waiting patiently and sometimes it’s about acting. Faithfulness and trust tell us when each act is appropriate.
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Copyright © 2008, Steven John Wickham. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
Copyright © 2008, Steven John Wickham. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
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[1] Joyce Baldwin, Esther in New Bible Commentary (Leicester, England & Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1994, 2004), p. 443.
[2] Baldwin, Ibid, p. 443.
[3] Esther 9:3 tells us that “all the nobles of the provinces, the satraps, the governors and the king’s administrators helped the Jews, because fear of Mordecai has seized them.”
[4] Baldwin, Ibid, p. 444.
[5] New International Version Life Application Bible, (Wheaton, Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. & Zondervan Publishing House, 1991), p. 833.
[1] Joyce Baldwin, Esther in New Bible Commentary (Leicester, England & Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1994, 2004), p. 443.
[2] Baldwin, Ibid, p. 443.
[3] Esther 9:3 tells us that “all the nobles of the provinces, the satraps, the governors and the king’s administrators helped the Jews, because fear of Mordecai has seized them.”
[4] Baldwin, Ibid, p. 444.
[5] New International Version Life Application Bible, (Wheaton, Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. & Zondervan Publishing House, 1991), p. 833.
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