Even though God's name is not recorded in the Book of Esther, and even though there is speculation by scholars as to how strong Mordecai and Esther's spiritual lives really were (there's no doubt the Jews of the times were in a backslidden state as a whole) - of one thing there is no doubt - God's fingerprints are all over this book!
I can think of no other book in the Bible where so many little details take place in the exact order necessary for events to play out the way they needed to.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases. Proverbs 21:1
I think those two verses basically sum up this book as a whole.
But first, Esther prayed and asked all the Jews of Susa to fast and pray with her. And THEN she acted. You know the saying "Pray as if it all depended on God, act as if it all depends on you". It DOES all depend on God, and we need to act as prompted by the Spirit.
Can you imagine the shock and then the tension in the court when Queen Esther appeared, without being summoned by the King - especially after everyone knew what happened to the last Queen who angered this powerful king, and the consequences of appearing before him unsummoned? There must've been an audible gasp in the court, all eyes focused on the dramatic scene in front of them. But, to paraphrase Prov 21:1, God turned the heart of the King, and he held out the golden scepter, sparing Esther's life.
And then Esther showed restraint. For whatever reason, she felt she should not ask the king in court, but she should invite him to a banquet.
Sometimes we are in the right to confront someone about something, but we don't wait for God's timing. Esther waited for God's timing.
And then Haman is infuriated by Mordecai's lack of respect for his high position and he build those gallows, which is then followed by the king's bout of insomnia during which Mordecai's act of loyalty is read to him and his realization that this loyalty had so far been unrewarded. Then Haman happens to walk in right then and ends up having to reward the man he loathes. Ahhh the irony! It's delicious!
You know, until I read this little tidbit in my Life Application Bible....
Our initial response to the story about Haman is to say that he got what he deserved. But the Bible leads us to ask deeper questions: "How much of Haman is in me?" "Do I desire to control others?" "Am I threatened when others don't appreciate me as I think they should?" "Do I want revenge when my pride is attacked?" Confess these attitudes to God, and ask him to replace them with an attitude of forgiveness. Otherwise, God's justice will settle the matter.
Man, even the story of Haman can hurt my toes.
Obviously my pride isn't as out of control as his was, but the basic sinful nature is the same. And it's only the grace and mercy of God that separates me from Haman.
Anyway, then Haman's rushed to the banquet where the Queen finally blurts out her charge, still witholding the man's name until the most opportune time, and then Haman falls on her couch right when the King returns from the garden and he ends up being hanged on the very gallows he had built for Mordecai.
Detail after detail, timing after timing. This story is not about Mordecai, it's not about Esther, though they acted in faith as prompted to by God.
This story is about God.
It's all about God.
Tomorrow's passage: Ezra 4:7-23, 7:1-8:36
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