One cannot help but be inspired when reading the triumphant stories of history, and the Biblical story of Esther from the intertestamental period is no exception.

Esther, the book, is clearly Jewish. Most Christians bypass the book in favor of the more popular story, such as the stories of David and Goliath, the prophets, the books of wisdom, or the Torah (or Pentateuch). However, the golden grains of the truth that faithfulness and trust are eternal keys to success in life in any age are lost.

Life for the Jews in this post-exilic period was anything but easy. They would identify with the oppression suffered even in this era by various groups, for example minority groups in Zimbabwe. King Xerxes (Hebrew name ahasuerus) was a bit crazy; cruelly treating his own family, let alone the Hebrews, whom he simply wanted to annihilate (see Esther 3:9-11).[1] But, God’s purposes prevailed as history reveals.

One of Esther’s theological messages is the juxtaposition of destination and faith. A people, the majority, believed in destiny, while the Jews chose faith. The ridiculousness of this comparison is that God sneers at one (fate) but anoints the other (faith). Faith is a combination of “divine providence coupled with human vigilance [i.e. prudence] and timely action [i.e. diligence].”[2] Fate is just wishing, it has no substance and is backed by inaction. The author of Esther proves to us that the three qualities of faith (providence, vigilance and action) are represented in the story, since neither Esther nor Mordecai could foresee what would be required of them in advance, until the time to act came.

Backflips seem to be God’s domain, as Ahasuerus’ right-hand man Haman is hanged and the man he tried to exterminate (with his draft decree), Mordecai gets his job after gaining the king’s favor. . No one could have predicted this. This turn of events is an example of divine providence backed by faithful waiting and action. Esther 8:17 and 9:3 are examples of the common attribution of God as sovereign on earth and the widespread influence of Mordecai.[3] Many became Jews recognizing the one true God.

Surprisingly, there are still many people who reject the truth of God’s providential hand in ordering the world and instead believe in destiny, that is, horoscopes, tarot cards, and clairvoyants. It is God’s eternal purposes that win every time. When people choose to falsely believe ridiculous and unfounded notions and fail to act to help their cause, they consistently and demoralizingly fail.

And what about applying these lessons to ourselves, personally? The book contrasts the rudeness of Ahasuerus’s feasts, which brought “dire consequences,” and the opposite, diligent action of fasting (and praying) which “works for good.”[4] This ultimate example of faith trusts God to provide us with opportunities to cooperate with his divine purposes. We must have hope (through prayer and fasting) and then always be vigilant to act when called upon to act, expressing the required courage. We must see that everyone, without exception, has a role to play in God’s purposes in the world, no matter how small and insignificant it may seem. Let’s reflect on these specific examples:

The true hero of this story is Mordecai because of the steadfastness of his faith in pushing Queen Esther to act despite the very real risks to his own life in attempting to cooperate with God in the deliverance of the Jews. But the extreme right also needed the heroic action of the Queen; she obeyed Mordecai’s direction by ordering a nation-wide fast and pledging to ‘go to the king’ at the end of it, even though it was against the law, and she could have been executed for it. This is true courage. She might have felt comfortable on the throne, but she didn’t break faith.

Haman’s arrogance should also be an example for us. His pride was his undoing, as he could not bear to regard anyone (except the king) as his equal. “God has an amazing record of making evil plans backfire on the planners.”[5] Those who dig holes for others will fall into their own hole (Proverbs 26:27). The big lesson is this: The schemers in our lives will get their comeuppance, but only if we leave the action of retribution to God. Not only this. We too must not be intriguing or we will succumb to judgment. God is no respecter of persons. He judges equally and without favoritism. He leaves justice to the true king. Trust him and he will do this, his way and his time.

Mordecai’s humility is also a shining light of example for us. He thwarted the assassination attempt on the king’s life (6:2), but never sought recompense for it. He must have trusted God. He did not need to convey his act nor be glorified by it. God’s purposes were for the king to finally find out and then seek to reward his faithful servant. justice arrives. How often do we wait as patiently as this or leave congratulations alone? This is a great challenge for all of us not to seek rewards for our good deeds.

Esther’s patience of faith in not acting prematurely is also significant. The king was giving her ‘up to half the kingdom’, but she had the aplomb to invite the king and Haman to another banquet in honor of the king. There was nothing devious about the plan, she simply chose to bless the king and please him even more. That is the obedient faith; not to act only of your own free will, but to wait. Voluntarily love someone without condition.

As we await our justice, God’s justice, we must be prepared to act as he calls us. Because we were born for a time like this! Be of good cheer when the time comes, for it will come. The future always does.

Faith is infinitely better than fate. We cannot afford to ignore such a truth, and we have nothing to lose if we try. We can only gain credibility by exercising faith. Sometimes it’s about waiting patiently and sometimes it’s about taking action. Fidelity and trust tell us when each act is appropriate.

Copyright © 2008, Steven John Wickham. All rights reserved throughout the world.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] Joyce Baldwin, Esther in new bible commentary (Leicester, England and Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1994, 2004), p. 443.

[2] Baldwin, Ibid., p. 443.

[3] Esther 9:3 tells us that “all the nobles of the provinces, the satraps, the governors and the king’s administrators helped the Jews, because the fear of Mordecai had seized them.”

[4] Baldwin, Ibid., p. 444.

[5] New International Version of the Bible of Application to Life, (Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. & Zondervan Publishing House, 1991), p. 833.