Esther

Esther – for such a time as this – Esther 1-10

What Happened

Drama, power, romance, and intrigue are the stuff of best-selling novels. These words also describe a true story set in ancient Persia around 475BC. Esther is about an orphan Jewish girl who became Queen and bravely risked her life to save her people. Though God is never mentioned, we see Him orchestrate every human decision through His sovereignty.

As a child, Esther was orphaned and taken in by her cousin, Mordecai. The story opens when King Xerxes dethroned his queen and ordered a nationwide beauty contest to replace her. Reluctantly, Esther was forced to enter. She was chosen and became the new queen. But no one suspected she was Jewish.

The king’s right-hand man, Haman, became enraged when Mordecai would not bow to him. In revenge, he plotted to have Mordecai hanged and to trick the King into completely exterminating the Jews. Esther was warned of Haman’s evil plot and used her sudden influence with the king to expose the plot and stop the genocide against her people.

How it Happened

Esther’s journey from an orphaned girl to the queen of Persia was not an accident. Mordecai’s famous words from Esther 4:14 – “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” – are a reminder that our positions, talents, and opportunities are not random. And Esther used her unlikely position to rescue her people.

When Mordecai urged Esther to approach the king and plead for her people, she faced a life-or-death situation. In Persian law, entering the king’s presence without being summoned meant immediate execution unless he gave permission. Esther’s response in Esther 4:16 - “If I perish, I perish.” – is her declaration of faith over fear.

Before approaching the King to plead for her people, Esther called for a three-day fast among the Jews. This was a deliberate act of faith and dependence on God for all the people. The fast called on the peoples’ collective faith and strengthened Esther with God’s wisdom and direction.

The climax of Esther’s story is a stunning reversal. The very gallows prepared by Haman to hang Mordecai became the instrument of Haman’s death instead. The Jewish people who were marked for destruction gained the right to defend themselves and were delivered from certain annihilation.

Why it Happened

The Jewish People still observe the festival of Purim to celebrate the day God used Esther and Mordecai to rescue their people. But the story also offers powerful reminders for us as we live lives of faith today.

God’s Hand in Hidden Places – Esther’s story should be a reminder that, even when God feels silent in our lives, He is never absent. We can always trust Him to weave a tapestry of Godly purpose through random circumstances.

Positioned for Purpose – You and I may not wear a royal crown, but we still have influence with others. Whether in your church, neighborhood, business, or home, God has placed you there for a reason. So trust Him to use you.

Courage in the Face of Risk – Esther’s bravery was rooted in her deep faith that God’s plan was greater than her fear. Courage doesn’t mean the absence of fear; it means choosing to act by faith in the face of fear.

The Power of Prayer – Esther called for a time of fasting and prayer before her greatest challenge. When we are tempted to charge ahead on our own, Esther’s story cautions us to stop and seek God’s strength and direction first.

God’s Deliverance and Justice – God’s actions in Esther show His loving care for His people. We serve a God of both mercy and justice who turns tragedy into worship and defeat into victory.

Make it Personal - God came to Earth in the person of Jesus Christ so that we could know Him personally. If you are not sure you know Him, won’t you take a step of faith and ask Him to show Himself to you today?