Queen Esther

Esther 7:1-10, 9:20-22

One of this weekʼs Lectionary texts is taken from the Book of Esther, but to read this without the rest of the story is not very helpful. The story is set in a foreign land, under a foreign empire, with the Jews suffering much racial hatred. They had been a minority in Persia (Babylon) for years, being that they were removed as captives from their homeland. Although the centre of the story deals with the attempted annihilation of the Jewish people, a theme which has continued throughout history, there are also many other issues Imbedded in the story that we encounter in our lives: power, courage, love, fear, hatred, pride, humility and blessings. It is interesting that in Estherʼs story, Jerusalem, the law, prophets, the Promised Land, the exile, or even God, are not mentioned at all. Could it be that these details are hidden within the story? God uses humans to achieve his purposes whether they know it or not. Though we donʼt read Godʼs name in the story, His sovereignty and loving care are interwoven throughout. God is at work, often in ways we canʼt fully see or understand. His timing is laying out every crucial plan at just the right minute. Itʼs never haphazard or thrown together. Itʼs intricately woven into the stories and
purposes of our entire lives.  Donʼt ever doubt that God is able. Nothing is impossible with Him. This story has His miraculous work and power all over it, through every chapter, every word.  There is a constant thread of redemption through Estherʼs story that speaks to our lives still today. When you look at the world and ask, where is God? God says no, get involved and know that I will be there. God says, that maybe you were born for the now (4:14).

Pastor Darryl