Pastor's Corner

One of the distinguishing characteristics of the book of Esther is the fact that “God” is not mentioned in this book of the Bible. However, the providence of God is clearly displayed in this book. We can see the Hand of God working behind the scenes, even though His name is never mentioned in it. This book demonstrates how the Jewish people were protected and preserved by the providence of God. The English word comes from the Latin, "providere" which is made up of two words, "pro" (before) and "videre" (to see), thus "to see before." Providence is the foreseeing care and guidance of the omniscience of (all-knowing) God over the universe and in the affairs of humans.

We often do not know why God does what He does. Sometimes we may not see the Hand of God at work. Most of the time, we do not foresee the outcome of a situation. This is why we are given this book of the Bible to teach us that God is a God of providence. God is always in control. He is sovereign. He is forever at work in the world and in our lives.

Esther begins by describing Ahasuerus’ Kingdom. His palace was in Shushan and he reigned over 127 provinces. In the third year of his reign, he made a lavish feast for all the princes and nobles of his kingdom. On the last day of the feast, the king calls for his wife, Queen Vashti. When she refuses to appear, Ahasuerus becomes angry. The king removes her and seeks another one. Esther, a young Jewish girl, is taken from her home and finds favor in the eyes of Ahasuerus and becomes the Queen of Persia.

One day, while Mordecai, Esther’s uncle, sat in the king’s gate he finds out that two of the king’s chamberlains plotted to assassinate the king. He tells this to Esther and his deed is recorded. Meanwhile, Haman becomes captain of the princes. All the king’s servants were supposed to bow down and reverence him but Mordecai refuses to do so. When Haman learns that Mordecai is Jewish, he plots to eradicate all Jews. He convinces King Ahasuerus to issue a decree that all Jews in the empire will be killed in a single day eleven months later.

Mordecai asks Esther to appeal to the king to spare the Jews. Mordecai convinces her that she has been called to her high position for this reason. After fasting, Esther appears before the king and invites him to a banquet, along with Haman. At the banquet, she requests that they attend a second one. Haman is flattered but later infuriated when he sees Mordecai. He builds large gallows to hang Mordecai. At the second banquet, Esther makes her petition for her people and accuses Haman of his treachery. The enraged king has Haman hanged on the same gallows that Haman prepared for Mordecai. Mordecai is also exalted and set over the house of Haman.

God providentially placed a young Jewish girl in the palace to save His people from destruction. I am sure when she was taken from her home and forced to marry the King, that she had no idea that she would be in a position to save all of the Jews from annihilation.

We often do not understand why we are placed where we are in life. But we might have the opportunity to influence someone for Christ that no one else could reach. God does everything for a reason and our job is to trust and obey whatever we are called upon to do or wherever we are told to go.

There is no such thing as chance. God is either directly or indirectly involved in everything that happens to us. He can be trusted and obeyed in any circumstance. The reason is that even the smallest details are under His control. God is behind the scenes and controls the scenes He is behind.

Tim Wall, pastor

Macedonia Baptist Church