The Unseen Hand of God

God is not mentioned in the Book of Esther. Yet one cannot read it without seeing the unseen hand of God in absolute control of events. Time and again it is demonstrated in the story.

The entire thrust of the story is how God had raised Esther to be the queen. Her status from that of a member of a captive family in exile and that of an orphan was changed by God through certain circumstances.

But that was not an end in itself. God had a purpose in mind. He wanted Esther to be in a royal position where she could play a unique and critical role in saving the life of the Jews in 127 provinces which stretched from India to Cush (Esther 8:9).

But again she had to act courageously and with great wisdom. She would be risking her own life in the process. She hesitates. But then Mordecai, her Uncle, who brought her up sends her this message: If you remain silent at this, relief and deliverance for the Jews will come some other way.

Then he added, “And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this (Esther 4:14z)?” Stop and think for a moment. You may not feel God’s presence or have any clue how he will bring deliverance in a particular situation. But know that God has a purpose in keeping you in an exalted position wherever he has placed you.

It is up to you to act. Trust God and act courageously. Esther did so saying, “I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish (Esther 4:16z). In that words and attitude we find someone who truly reflected what Jesus said: “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it (Luke 9:24).”

Esther did not perish; but she was one step away from it. She, because she risked her life, was able to become the chief agent of bringing God’s deliverance to the Jews.

So that their story continued. And the Messiah Jesus could come into the world in due time.

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