Did you know that God is not once mentioned in the Old Testament Book of Esther?
If God is not in the book in an obvious way, it’s because He is in it in a way that’s not obvious.
A co-incidence takes place when two incidents coincide: apparent coincidences in Esther are in fact examples of God’s perfect timing.
An ancient battle for the survival of the Jews was fought and won in a splendid Persian palace.
DO YOU KNOW THAT GOD CAN USE LOVING BUT UNBELIEVING HUSBANDS TO BLESS BELIEVERS?
After six months of celebration, two feasts, each lasting a week, were held in the citadel at Shushan – one for the king and his male guests, the other for the queen and her female guests. On the final day of feasting, an incident took place that was to lead to a change in the very nature of the kingdom.
When her insensitive husband, the king, wanted to show her off to his male guests, Queen Vashti refused. However, in standing on her dignity, she forfeited her exalted position. The king would have crowned the feast with her beauty.
In contrast, Queen Esther used her position to influence the king for the benefit of her people, and in so doing, eliminated their most hateful and murderous enemy.
King Xerxes, a male typical of his time, desired to use his wife to enhance his own status. His nobles also regarded women as objects of beauty.
The king was not always wise in his choice of leaders, or he would not have chosen Haman, a ruthless and ambitious schemer.
It took a woman to outwit Haman, under the direction of a godly, elderly man. Where was God in it? Although seemingly absent, He was present in the actions and choices of His people, and in the “coincidences” that changed the ancient world’s greatest kingdom.
THE BOOK OF ESTHER TEACHES US THAT:
1. Foolish behaviour by a person in high authority can create an opportunity for a person humble enough for God to use.
2. A renewed relationship can add strength and purpose to an old one.
3. A concealed relationship may allow evildoers to conspire more openly than they would if they were aware of it.
4. Close proximity and watchfulness may bring information that will later work to good advantage.
5. The refusal to acknowledge a known enemy may manifest latent evil.
6. Your destiny is not determined by chance but by informed choices, and bold acts of personal integrity.
7. If any such act creates conflict, then it is God, not man, who has drawn the battle lines.
8. God has placed us where we are for the purpose of influence, not personal pleasure or security.
9. Wisdom seeks and finds strategies that ensure favourable outcomes.
10. Evil machinations or intimidating devices should not deter us from our set course.
11. The consequence of past good advice that foiled evil plans will eventually result in due recognition.
12. Such recognition will elevate the person who gave the advice, and provide the opportunity to eliminate the source of all opposition.
13. Victory must be extended to the utmost, for it to be lastingly effective.
14. God does not need to be obvious in order to be present. He is ever-present in the actions of those who serve Him – those who are prepared to risk all for the good of His people.
Where is God in all this? He’s in the choices you make and the risks you take!