Esther

The Invisible hand of God

One of the most interesting things about the book of Esther is that God is nowhere mentioned within the text… nor is it ever actually spoken that the people within it ever prayed to him or sought his face. As the story behind Esther unfolds though it is quite clear that this is a miraculous event that could only be explained by the hand of God. At this point in Israel’s history the Jews were in exile in Persia… wondering where God was… and most likely assuming that he had abandoned them. They saw that God was disciplining his people because of their sin and realized that he had just come to the point where he abandoned them to the doom they deserved… thinking they had finally worn out God’s mercy and caused him to cease his steadfast love for them. What they would come to see in the book of Esther is that God is working mightily in their midst… even if he isn’t speaking through prophets… even if they ignore him. God is orchestrating the events within the life of the King of Persia for their sake. He raises Esther up from absolutely nothing to place her as Queen of the most powerful Empire in the known world. Esther is granted unmerited favor even as she walks completely contrary to the law of the day… for as she steps out in faith she finds herself delivered from certain death. God’s hand upon her also leads the nation of Israel into a moment of great joy as they find salvation in the darkest of times. This text makes no claim that God’s hand was upon his people, whereas others such as Nehemiah and Ezra boldly proclaim God’s hand in the midst of his people. Nonetheless it is quite apparent that this story is about God’s sovereign hand bringing forth redemption and salvation for his people, bringing light in the midst of great darkness. His nation was about to be utterly destroyed, they faced complete annihilation… yet God delivered, for he had not abandoned them even in this time of exile.

The original readers were those rebuilding the city of Jerusalem… the remnant sent home from exile to rebuild God’s nation. They were entering into a period of great silence… where God would no longer speak for hundreds of years before Christ would come. As they sought God, as the temple was rebuilt but God’s glory did not come down… this story of Esther would show them very clearly that even when they cannot see or hear or feel God’s presence… he indeed is there with them. This is the greater reality which is not tangible to them… he is there, they can trust his steadfast love for them truly NEVER ceases… they can rest in the peace that he is working mightily for their sake.

For the contemporary audience this truth resounds like a thunder bolt in the midst of a noisy world in which God’s voice seems to have no chance in being heard. In the midst of all the blessings of the present it is quite clear that people are yearning to know where God is. The reality is that he is right here… he is alive… he hasn’t left, he hasn’t abandoned his creation. God has spoken his presence in the Holy Spirit… has proven that his son Jesus is alive and working as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. God knows the hearts of his people… he is working for those who belong to him in every moment. The greater reality that God’s people can find rest in is that God truly does work all things together for the good of those who love him (Romans 8.28). This truth in no way is just wishful thinking… for it is the very word of God to his people… and here in Esther it is seen as clear as day. Today we might not be able to necessarily see or feel or touch or hear God… but it in way lessons the great reality that he is present with us, working that which is best on our behalf. Do we dare to trust that he has what is best… do we live in this great reality?