Esther was taken to King Xerxes at the royal palace in early winter of the seventh year of his reign. And the king loved Esther more than any of the other young women. He was so delighted with her that he set the royal crown on her head and declared her queen instead of Vashti. – Esther 2:16-17 (NLT)
I find Esther’s story truly remarkable. And it’s a testament to God’s providence and the way He orchestrates events for His divine purposes.
In Esther 2:16-17, we see a young Jewish woman named Esther, an orphan who was raised by her cousin Mordecai, being brought before King Xerxes. Despite the odds, Esther manages to win the king’s favor and is crowned queen.
This isn’t a mere coincidence. It’s part of God’s larger plan that will ultimately save His people.
Esther didn’t reveal her Jewish identity when she was brought into the king’s harem. This decision, which was influenced by her cousin Mordecai’s advice, was vitally important. Had Esther revealed her heritage, she never would’ve ascended to the position of such influence and authority within the Persian Empire. But because she took her cousin’s advice to heart, her appointment as queen would enable her to intervene later on when the evil Haman, one of King Xerxes’ top advisors, plotted to have every last Jew in the kingdom murdered.
Although His name isn’t explicitly mentioned once throughout the 10 chapters of Esther, God’s unseen hand is evident all throughout the story. His hand is seen in the timing of events, the favor Esther finds with the king, and the wisdom given to her and Mordecai.
They may seem like ordinary circumstances, but they are divinely directed and perfectly align to God’s extraordinary purposes.
So when we find ourselves doubting that God is at work in our lives, Esther’s story reminds us to take heart and trust that God is in every little detail.
Trust in God’s Timing: God knew of Haman’s evil plot to annihilate the Jews long before it was proposed to King Xerxes. Esther’s rise to becoming the queen came at the perfect time, prior to Haman making his plans known. For us: When we find ourselves frustrated because of God’s timing in our lives, remember that God is never too early or too late. He is always right on time.
Be Courageous and Faithful: It took courage for Esther to step into her role and then speak up for her people later on, but she knew that God had her back. For us: God calls us to be faithful in all our circumstances, knowing that He can use our position, however humble or significant, for His purposes.
God’s Sovereignty: The Book of Esther reminds us that God is sovereign over all events. Nothing happens outside of His control. For us: When we face challenges and uncertainties, we can rest in the assurance that God is orchestrating everything precisely the way He wants it to work out, for His purpose and His glory.
How does Esther point us to Jesus? Esther was willing to risk her life if it came to that. It was only through her intercession that her people were saved. Not only that, Esther’s courage and willingness to take a stand for her people ultimately ended up preserving the Jewish line from which Jesus, the Messiah, would come. And Jesus not only was willing to risk His life – but literally gave His life – so that all people might be saved.
God’s unseen hand was all over Esther’s life. It’s all over your’s and mine, too.
Former Blackout Artist 