Journey Through Esther
The name of God is not found in this book, but His hand is unmistakable! In one of the most difficult situations, we learn how to rest in the providence of God and do our part. Join us as we journey through Esther.
Listen to an Overview of Esther:
A Post-Exile Perspective
Esther is the second book in the Bible that bears a woman’s name—the first being Ruth. Esther is the third book dealing with the period after the exile. It follows Ezra and Nehemiah. These three books, at the end of the historical section, provide an overview of what God did after the captivity. Ezra and Nehemiah deal with the Jews who returned (about 50,000 of them). But Esther deals with the Jews who remained.
You see, not all of them went back. The majority of Jews stayed where they were. They were not returning Jews; they were remaining Jews. And I love this: even in a foreign country, God preserved the godly line. Even far from home, God was working to keep His promise and to protect His people. He did it through a young woman by the name of Esther.
The Message of God’s Hidden Hand
Yes, the name of God is not found in the Book of Esther. How could that be? Within that little truth—within that piece of Bible trivia—is the great message of the book: God’s hand is present when His name is not.
This book is about the divine providence of God. It is about God being present and at work, even behind the scenes—protecting and providing even when people do not recognize it. The Book of Esther contains the wicked plot of an evil man named Haman to kill off all the Jews.
The Book Of Esther Unfolds Around Haman’s Plot:
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Chapters 1-3: The Plot Formed
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Chapters 4-5: The Plot Fought
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Chapters 6-10: The Plot Foiled
That is a helpful outline, but the book is not really about the plot. It is not even primarily about the plan of Satan to destroy the godly line – although that is evident. The Book of Esther is about the God who rules the good and overrules the evil. It is about a providence that is greater than any Satanic plot.
God’s Providence at Work
May I remind you today that our God is greater? Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world (see 1 John 4:4). Even when you cannot see Him, even when you cannot hear Him, even when you do not understand all that He is doing—God is at work in your life, my friend.
- It was providence that brought Esther to the throne and made her queen.
- It was divine providence that caused the maids to inform Esther of Haman’s plot to kill all the Jews.
- It was providence that gave Esther favor to come before the king.
- It was providence that would not allow the king to sleep in the middle of the night.
- It was providence that led the king to read a book.
- It was providence that the very book being read was the Book of Chronicles.
- It was providence that the portion read was about Mordecai’s faithfulness to the king.
- It was providence that had Haman pronounce the promotion of Mordecai—the one man he hated the most.
- It was providence that motivated Haman to build the very gallows on which he would be hanged.
- It was providence that turned the table for the Jews.
- It was providence that rescued the entire nation of Israel.
It was not Esther making it happen, my friend—it was God. Grave danger turned to great deliverance through the providence of God.
The Romans 8:28 of the Old Testament
The Book of Esther is often called the Romans 8:28 of the Old Testament: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.”
The illustration of that verse is found beautifully in this little book of Esther.
The Key Verse
The key verse is found in Esther 4:14. Read it carefully. Mordecai speaks to Esther, saying:
“For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
Meditate on that phrase. “For such a time as this.” Do you believe that He is a God of perfect timing? God allowed you to live at this exact time. He is allowing you to face what you must deal with today. Do not be discouraged! His way is perfect. His time is perfect. That is our God.
Resting in Providence and Doing Your Part
What is the message of Esther 4:14? What is the message of the whole book? Very simple: Rest in God’s providence and do your part.
God is ruling. God will accomplish His work. He will fulfill His plan and eternal purpose. Not even the devil can stop that—thank God for that. Yet, while you rest in the providence of God, the Lord gives you a responsibility. He gives you a role to play. We choose whether or not we will engage in what God is doing. I do not want to miss my part. What about you?
There is a promise in this book for us to claim and there is a principle for us to apply. The promise to claim today is this: our God is ruling in the affairs of men. He is ruling in your affairs today, my friend.
God’s providential hand is moving and working. “His ways are higher than your ways; His thoughts are higher than your thoughts” (see Isaiah 55:8–9). You may not understand it all. There may be many question marks. But rest in this: God knows what He is doing, and He is going to make it all right in the end.
God Is Working Even When You Cannot See It
And while you are resting—work. While you rest by faith in His promise and providence, realize that God has given you a work to do today.
Who knows how God could use your life? Who knows what He wants to accomplish through you today?
- Some soul to win.
- Some person to encourage.
- Some burden to lift.
- Some churches to help.
- Some need to meet.
Determine, by God’s grace, to fulfill God’s purpose for you today.
God Wants to Use You.
God used a man named Mordecai. The Lord used a woman named Esther. God wants to use every man and every woman who will put their life in His hands.
Do you think Esther imagined that, thousands of years later, we would be reading a book bearing her name? She did not know that her one act of courage would be spoken of for the rest of time—and into eternity! No. But she did her part, in her moment.
The same is true for you — God has given us this moment in history. God has given us this time. The devil is fighting, but God is at work. And we must find our place in His plan.
Resting in God’s providence—and then, by faith, obediently doing your part.
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