Every good story has a great plot twist. The narrative of Queen Esther has one of the biggest plot twists imaginable. Yesterday we read about Esther’s rise to the position of Queen and how Mordecai, a no name Jew living in the Capital of Persia is active in the saving the king, even though he is given no credit for it. In fact, a plot is raised against Mordecai and the Jews because of his refusal to bow to a royal officer named Haman. Mordecai urges Queen Esther to intervene on behalf of her people. She had been raised to the throne, appointed by God for such a time as this. Esther fasts and prayers and, even though it doesn’t expressly say it here, trusts God to be with her as she seeks an audience with the King, an audience that could get her killed. However, by the grace and providence of God, she doesn’t and the King offers to grant any request, one that she will eventually make during a feast for the king the next day.
Haman thinks he has everything going for him. He has the Jews on the ropes, and has a plan to see Mordecai hanged. He even thinks he is getting honored by Queen Esther at the feast he will be going to. Little does he know what is about to take place. The plot twist though, comes at a rather unexpected time: the middle of a bad night’s sleep for King Xerxes. This is really the first in a series of plot twists that sees Haman systematically brought from his prideful position to the point of being hung on the gallows he built. In these events Mordecai is raised to the powerful position, a complete reversal of what was happening. The Jews are given the authority to defend themselves against their enemies and even gain, through Mordecai, the second in command seat of the Persian Empire. This is truly an act of God once again showing God’s providence for His people, even in a land that is not their own, far from Jerusalem and the Temple.
We can learn a lot from the narrative of Esther. Clearly we can see that, though not named, God is faithfully providing for His people, continuing as He always has to uphold the covenant with them. Also evident is the faith that is had by the Jews in this narrative, and the blessings that are bestowed upon those with faith. Esther and Mordecai have both clearly set their face towards God, and God honors them because of it. Yet I think that the most prominent thing that comes out of this narrative is the encouragement for stepping out in faith. Many times I have encountered a situation that I am not comfortable with, one that I don’t necessarily think that I can do well in. Whether it is interacting with a stranger or standing up for what I believe in, I often find it difficult to feel as though I can actually do certain things.
However, I don’t believe that I have ever actually faced death in any of these situations. Indeed, I can’t imagine that an interaction with a friend in which I need to express my beliefs would result in any sort of physical harm for myself, and yet I still fear to do it. Queen Esther is willing to risk her life for her people, to stand up to the powers that be in the face of a possible death sentence made on the whim of a King in a foul mood. She is not deterred though. Esther turns to God through fasting and prayer, and then doesn’t what she has been called to do, what she has been placed there to do. She has been chosen for such a time as this to save the Jews from almost certain destruction. I wonder… is there something that you have been chosen for? Is there something that you need to do or someone that you need to talk to? Have you been placed in a position to make a difference? Do not fear! Commit your way to the Lord, trust in Him and He will act!
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- April 5 Devotional (cherokeebaptistmemphis.wordpress.com)
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- Open Heavens Daily Devotional Monday 29 April 2013 There for a Reason. (yinkalivingseed.wordpress.com)
- “But for this CAUSE came I.” (girlwiththepen1118.wordpress.com)
- Book of Esther (altruistico.wordpress.com)