Esther 4:12-17
Esther
God orchestrates events in our lives for his purposes, though his name may go unmentioned; our choices matter in fulfilling his will, and we must courageously align ourselves with his plan.
Introduction
The Old Testament book of Esther has been hotly debated over the centuries. It presents some interesting challenges. It is the only book in the entire Bible which doesn’t include the word “God.” It is not quoted in the New Testament as many of the Old Testament books are. Some throughout the centuries have thought that the book should not be included in the Bible. But careful reading of the text extols the working of God although his name is never mentioned.
The story of Esther is interesting. Around 480 B.C., the king of Persia, Xerxes has a huge party. This was a common way for kings to demonstrate their wealth and power. At the end of that party, Xerxes wants his wife, Vashti, to put on a beauty contest with Vashti as the only participant. Vashti refuses and for her refusal she is deposed as Queen of Persia. The king needs another queen and virgins from all over the kingdom are brought in for a year of preparation. Of all the women, Esther, a Jew, who kept her heritage a secret, is chosen to be Xerxes new queen.
Esther has a cousin, Mordecai. He is a government official. During his tenure he uncovers an assassination plot against the king. His heroism is duly recorded but goes unrewarded. Xerxes honors a man named Haman as his second in command. Haman is power hungry. He commands that just like the king, when he enters an area all are to bow. Mordecai refuses. Haman is furious and is determined not to just kill Mordecai but to destroy all the Jews in the Persian Empire. In fact, Xerxes agrees to let Haman do whatever he would like to do and so the decree is sent out throughout the area of the intent to kill all Jews.
Mordecai hears of this plot and informs Esther. Esther decides to risk her life to save her people. Esther invites Xerxes and Haman to be her guests at a banquet. During the feast, the king asks Esther what it is that she really wants. She simply asks for the king and Haman to return a second day. That night, the king was unable to sleep. While having the history of his reign read to him, Mordecai’s heroics are read. Surprised to learn that Mordecai has never been properly thanked as a hero, Xerxes calls in Haman to ask what is the best way to honor someone. Haman prescribes a royal robe given as the man rides a royal stallion while someone proclaims that the man is being honored.
To Haman’s shock and dismay, Xerxes has Haman so honor Mordecai in this way. During the second banquet, Esther reveals that she and her people are to be killed according to royal edict. Esther points the finger at Haman as being the one who has so designed the day of killing. Xerxes is furious and has Haman hanged on the gallows which were built for Mordecai. New edicts were sent throughout the kingdom allowing the Jews to defend themselves and thus they were saved.
Lessons from Esther
First, God is at work in the lives of his people. Do things just happen or do they happen for a reason? There is a certain amount of randomness in this world. When we think of things happening in this world sometimes things just seem to come about without anyone’s help. But too often we attribute things to acts of randomness, when the hand of God is involved. Although the name of God is not mentioned in Esther there are no less than thirteen times that things “just happen” to work out.
Queen Vashti is deposed and Xerxes wants a replacement. Esther is attractive to the king and becomes queen. These first two events bring two close relatives into the king’s court. Mordecai happens to discover the assassination plot. The time between the first edict going out and the day of slaughter is separated sufficiently to allow the plot to be discovered. Esther gains entrance to the king when she could have lost her life. The king can’t sleep and just happens to read about Mordecai. Haman just happens to enter the scene when the king is deciding what to do to reward Mordecai. Haman’s wife gains prophetic powers and predicts her husband’s death. Esther’s accusation against Haman is accepted. Haman is executed and Mordecai is promoted. Esther and Mordecai secure the second edict. The Jews are delivered.
Coincidental? Can we honestly look at these things and determine them to be random acts? If we saw only two or possibly three of these events then we might think them to be coincidental. But in their totality, we cannot deny that these events weave into a consistent picture of God’s work. Mordecai believed that Esther was brought to royalty to save her people. He also believed that if Esther didn’t do something then someone else would. The question is does God still work in people’s lives this way? Or more specifically does God work in my life this way?
Look back at your life. Rehearse the events of life that has brought you to this point. Can you see a thread of continuity? Can you see the hand of God? Things don’t just happen. God is busy working to bring about his will in your life. God is the master planner. In Ephesians 1:4, before time even began, he planned for us to be a part of his family. In 1:11, Paul says God’s plans always come out right. And we are part of those plans. Our God works for us. He is even now carefully planning your life.
This opens the door for God to be criticized when things don’t go well. I suppose that Esther and Mordecai could have thought that God was abandoning them when the first edict went out. But God wasn’t through with his plan. Haman’s plan was nullified by a better planner. Our God makes his plans work.
Second, Esther teaches us that our decisions matter. Some believe that we are mere pawns in the scheme of things and that God will get his way with us or without us. There is a lot of truth in the idea that God will get his way, but such a conclusion fails to take into account the difference humans make in the way things take place. Because we are free to make choices, then our choices make a difference in how things proceed in this world. God will ultimately get his way, but his desire is that we bring goodness to this life. Poor choices results in life being more difficult than it has to be. Human choices matter. We are not pawns. We have a responsibility to make good choices.
When we make poor choices, God doesn’t quit planning. He devises new plans to bring about his will. But our poor choice has kept us from taking full advantage of God’s planning. What if Esther had decided not to go to the king seeking a reprieve? Mordecai believed God would do something else, but that didn’t necessarily mean raising up another queen. God could have devised a plan whereby a portion of Jews were protected. The point is that we make choices and those choices matter. Esther submitted to God and becomes a part of God’s working in this world.
We are no different. We can submit to God and bring about his will or we can make poor choices and leave God’s will behind. If we are merely pawns, then choice is meaningless. Ask Jonah if his choices were meaningless? Ask Paul if choices were meaningless? Ask Jesus if his choice to go to the cross was meaningless? Was Jesus a mere pawn? No. He exercised free will in choosing the path of obedience and following God’s plan. With his choice he brought the opportunity for all to be free from sin, the guilt of sin, and the punishment of sin. Let’s celebrate God’s work through Jesus in taking the Lord’s Supper.
It takes courage to do the right thing when not doing the right thing may be easier. God planned for Jesus to enter this world at just the right moment. Jesus chose to work within God’s will. Which will you choose?
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