Papa JoeMac's Corner Commentary - #103
Esther and the King (Why You're Here)
Book of Esther
The book of Esther delivers a very powerful message! It is a demonstration of God’s sovereignty and His loving care for his people!! Here we see that no matter what our wealth is or how much power we have, we need to depend on God to deliver us! With God in charge, we can take courage. He can guide us through the circumstances we face in our lives. We should expect God to display his power in carrying out His will. As we unite our life’s purposes to God’s purpose, we benefit from His sovereign care.
Often I hear folks say “I’m just not comfortable in this job, etc. because there is no security.” We all would like to have security but when we all get honest with ourselves, we must admit that “security” in this life carries no guarantees — possessions can be destroyed, beauty fades, relationships can be broken, death is inevitable. Real security must be found beyond this life. Only when our security rests on God and His unchanging nature can we face the challenges that life is sure to bring our way.
Esther’s beauty and character won Xerxes’ heart, and he made her his queen. Even in her favored position, however, she would risk her life by attempting to see the king when he had not requested her presence. There was no guarantee that the king would even see her. Although she was queen, she was still not secure. But, cautiously and courageously, Esther decided to risk her life by approaching the king on behalf of her people.
Briefly, the book of Esther clearly shows that God was working behind the scenes. He caused Xerxes to read the historical records of the kingdom late one night, and the king discovered that Mordecai had once saved his life. Xerxes lost no time in honoring Mordecai for that act. During the second banquet, Esther told the king of Haman’s plot against the Jews, and Haman was doomed. There is grim justice in Haman’s death on the gallows he had built for Mordecai, and it seems fitting that the day on which the Jews were to be slaughtered became the day their enemies died! Esther’s risk confirmed that God was the source of her security.
How much of your security lies in your possessions, position, or reputation? God has not placed you in your present position for your own benefit. He put you there to serve him. As in Esther’s case, this may involve risking your security. Are you willing to let God be your ultimate security?
Esther was more concerned for others than she was for herself. “Go and gather together all the Jews of Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will do the same. And then, though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king. If I must die, I am willing to die” (Esther 4:16). This tells me she truly was ‘secure’, just not ‘secure’ by the things of this world. She knew God was her security.
What can we learn from Esther’s life? I think there are primarily three (3) things. (1) Serving God often demands that we risk our own security (2) God has a purpose for the situations in which he places us and (3) Courage, while often vital, does not replace careful planning. Esther had a plan. Esther knew when to act. “If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. What’s more, who can say but that you have been elevated to the palace for just such a time as this?” (4:14).
Because of Queen Esther’s courageous act, a whole nation was saved. Seeing her God-given opportunity, she seized it! Her life made a difference. Read Esther and watch for God at work in your life. Perhaps he has prepared you to act in “such a time as this” (4:14).
In today’s world, we often don’t act at all. Jesus rejected passivity. So should we! Today it’s more politically correct to be “neutral”. Jesus didn’t go for that! Remember He said if you’re lukewarm, I’ll spit you out! (But that’s for another weekly tidbit!) I recall a passage from a book that goes something like this (I can’t remember it exactly) – the hottest places in hell are reserved for those, who in a time of a strict moral crisis, maintain their highest levels of neutrality. Esther didn’t sit by. She planned – with consultation from God – and she acted. Does God expect less of us?
- - - Mr. Joseph Mcklemurry received his Masters in Biblical Studies with Trinity Seminary in Newburgh, Indiana and is an ordained minister serving as a praise and worship leader with Beautiful Feet Church in Fort Worth, Texas. |
