April 16, 2022 - Esther 3-10

Esther has become queen but we also read: “King Ahasuerus promoted Haman the Agagite, the son of Hammedatha, and advanced him and set his throne above all the officials who were with him” (3:1). We live in a fallen world in which evil men ascend to places of worldly honor and authority. It has ever been so, and it will always be until the Lord returns. So, what should be our response? Well, consider Mordecai and Esther. Though God is never explicitly mentioned in the book, we read, “When Mordecai learned all that had been done, Mordecai tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes” (4:1), a common Old Testament act and posture when coming before the Lord in prayer. Furthermore, among the Jewish people, Esther called for a three day fast (4:15-16). Would anyone imagine that, during those days, the people failed to cry out to God, maybe in the same way the people in Egypt did when “their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God” (2:23)?

Not only was the enemy of Israel, Haman, hanged on a gallows but the people defeated their enemies and plundered them so that the threat was removed. Also, even as Israel “plundered the Egyptians” (Exodus 12:36), they plundered their enemies in Persia (8:11). Our God is faithful to deliver!

Give to the winds thy fears,

hope and be undismayed;

God hears thy sighs and counts thy tears;

God shall lift up thy head.

Through waves and clouds and storms,

He gently clears the way;

wait thou His time, so shall this night

soon end in joyous day. -- Paul Gerhardt (1656)