April 30, 2024 - Esther 5-10

The plot was hatched by Haman to destroy the Jews but the Lord used Esther to save his people.  The details of the story are here, and it’s an amazing story to read.  From the story, these thoughts.  Esther replaced Vashti as queen, and “when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she won favor in his sight” (5:1-2).  Favor . . . the Psalmist affirms, “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless” (Psalm 84:11).

After Esther’s banquet, “Haman came in, and the king said to him, ‘What should be done to the man whom the king delights to honor?’ And Haman said to himself, ‘Whom would the king delight to honor more than me?’” (6:6)  We must always be on guard against self-deception.  Paul warns, “For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself” (Galatians 6:3).

“They hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai” (7:10).  The prophet Obadiah warned, “For the day of the Lord is near upon all the nations. As you have done, it shall be done to you; your deeds shall return on your own head” (Obadiah 1:15).  Can anyone say, “just desserts?”

Well, the story continues and, as I read, this thought comes to mind:  As great as the king and kingdom of Persia, they were no match for Israel’s God.  And that’s really the story line here, isn’t it?   At no point does the writer mention God, but clearly, this is an encounter between the earthly power wrapped up in Persian royalty and God and his omnipotence.  No contest.  God has his way, and his way is to keep his people and to bless them.

God moves in a mysterious way

His wonders to perform;

He plants His footsteps in the sea

and rides upon the storm.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;

the clouds ye so much dread

are big with mercy and shall break

in blessings on your head.   -- William Cowper (1774)