The Long Awaited and Greatly Anticipated Return...featuring Esther!

Allison---

Esther 4:13-16

I love the book of Esther.  I find it to be one of the most empowering and challenging books in the bible.  And of course my favorite moment is when Mordecai is speaking to Esther about the command against the Jewish people, and that perhaps she was made queen “for such a time as this”, to save the Jewish race.

As I read through this book, I noted the role God played in this chapter of Esther’s life.  It begins with her being led away from her home, her family and all that is familiar to her.  Whether or not it was an honor to be considered for Xerxes’ queen, it had to be difficult.  But her need for family, for love and for care was met.  How perfect that her cousin Mordecai, who had essentially raised Esther, could daily pass by the harem where Esther was kept and check up on her.  Esther also endured much waiting…and waiting…and more waiting.  Before a woman could even be taken to see the king, she had to go through a year’s worth of beauty treatments—and hey, while that doesn’t sound half bad, that had to be hard to endure, while all the time wondering.  Wondering if the king would pick you, or why you were there, or how you would forever keep your nationality a secret.  But God gave Esther strength and peace in this time.

Of course, like any good book, there’s a twist: after Esther is selected as queen, the king unknowingly sentences his queen and her people to death (you’d think the guy would be a little more specific as to what exactly this decree would entail before he handed over his signet ring).  And in desperation, Mordecai asks Esther to go before the king, risking her life in a number of ways, to plead on behalf of her people.

But what I noticed this time around was that God had been preparing Esther.  He had protected her, nourished her and guided her to the role of queen, and then God presented her with this opportunity to engage in His work.  Notice Mordecai’s words:

“If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die.”

God isn’t counting on Esther in the sense that the fate of the world hinges on her decision.  But Esther has a choice.  She has an opportunity to be a part of the incredible way God is going to save the Jewish people.  She has been guided to this position as queen “for such a time as this”, to take part in this salvation story.

I like to think that’s how God works, that we are given opportunities in our lives to be a part of God’s salvation of mankind.  In one sense, it certainly takes the pressure off—that the fate of someone’s soul is not all-dependent on whether or not I have the courage to share the gospel at some moment.  But even greater, it implies that God desires my participation.  That God is all-powerful and wise, but wants me to be a part of His plans.  It reminds me that engaging my faith is what makes my relationship with God a relationship.  That while it is scary and uncomfortable, I want nothing more than to be a part of what God is planning, because that is what I was created to do—it’s what fulfills me.

I challenge you to take some time this week to think and pray on this.  Where have you been guided?  Where God might present you with an opportunity to take part in his glory?  How might God be challenging you to grow deeper in faith and relationship with Him?

May you know that God desires our participation in the coming of His kingdom.  May you remember that God is always leading us, shaping us and preparing us for the opportunities that lie ahead.  And may you realize that our God of love, compassion and strength has called you into this very place, for such a time as this.

Elizabeth---

The story of Esther is a good one! Allison did a great job of giving a great synopsis of what happened in the story. I find this story just as empowering and challenging. I like that Esther was a woman and was a Jew, but that didn’t stop God from using her to make a difference. Her beauty brought her into higher places with royalty. She didn’t let her royal position get to her head; instead she kept a good head on her shoulder as she held the importance of her family and her culture close to her heart. She kept the concerns of her people at the forefront of her thoughts. She brought petitions to the king according to the needs she saw and knew from her people. She knew that Jews were being harmed and she knew it was wrong. She worked for justice and fairness for these people. She displays commendable leadership skills as she stands up for a persecuted people. She recognizes the needs of those whom she serves.

This story was used in a high school Sunday School class to teach about joy. The direct link to joy was with the celebratory holiday that the Jews create once Haman is killed and not the entire Jewish population. However, in that class it was pointed out that God is not mentioned in the story of Esther, but is very much so a part of it. Joy is like that too! How often do we overlook joy because we didn’t acknowledge it or recognize it?  How often are we on the lookout for joy? Joy sometimes even appears in some of our darker moments and in uncertain times. I liked this story a lot because it was very much so narrative, story-like in nature and God wasn’t a character mentioned, but no doubt He was a part of the action. God works through Esther. He takes an unlikely orphaned Jewish woman to make a leader. Not only does she have a royal title, but she actually exercises wisdom as she makes just decisions to help a persecuted people. God is very much a part of our life story just like He is in Esther’s. So where do you find God in your life? Is He buried in the items on your long To-Do List? Does he ride shotgun on your way to and from work? Does He have a spot next to you as you’re falling asleep at night? Or do you see Him in all that you do? 

I want to challenge you discover where you see God the most. I want you to spot the joys in your life as well, and likely where you find joy, you will also find God. 

Joy  Courage  Opportunity

Sisters in Christ,

~Allison & Elizabeth