Reflections from the Book of Esther

 

A motorcycle on the open road provides some joyful freedom. There was a time when four of us boyhood friends, then in our earliest 20’s, all owned midsized, street legal motorcycles. The two 450cc Hondas alongside a 750cc Triumph as well as a bigger BMW spread among us certainly would not qualify us to be considered hard core bikers, but

we managed a lot of road fun together as well as enjoying the economical transportation benefits motorcycles provide to any poverty ridden college students. One wintery afternoon all of us returned to our hometown in West Los Angeles from our various college campuses, we were riding in our community near Playa del Rey beach when someone suggested we try the lifeguard service road that literally paralleled right next to the sand on the beach. Winding through a small beachfront community, the service road was only protected from encroachment by a small sign forbidding unauthorized use as well as a large chain across the road. Easily ignoring the sign, since winter at the beach diminishes the number of people, and also easily negotiating our motorcycles around the posts anchoring the chain barrier, we accelerated on to the beach access road with the enthusiasm of racehorses flying out of the starting gate at the Kentucky Derby! No California helmet laws at that time meant hair blowing in the wind and the four of us 20 year olds filled with sheer joy at the sense of speed cruising aside of the sand in full sight of the sea with no other vehicles or people sharing the road! The combination of ocean air and slicing through it at increased velocity with good friends on a carefree afternoon qualified is the stuff to shape great memories. Then it happened! The pavement ended! No road, only soft sand and a significant amount of speed hurling us on to the new terrain. Split second decision-making was required and the choices were few. Those who braked crashed instantly. Those who accelerated maintained their line but not sufficient speed causing their bikes to also layover, but more gently that to two brakers. Being shook up, but not injured allowed the experience to be logged as both a laughing and learning adventure.

Often life itself mirrors this type of pavement ending experience. Everything is rolling smoothly, the scenery is beautiful, relationships are warm, significant and encouraging while the fresh wind of good times whispers “all is well.”   Then the pavement ends! In real life, it could be an unexpected phone call, a feared medical diagnosis, a pink slip on a Friday afternoon or another rejection letter in a recent string of them. It could be a decision on which college to attend, what major or degree to pursue, who or when to marry or even to relocate to a new community. The status quo is over, the pavement ends and

some significant decision making skills are going to need to be in play. Sometimes the pavement ends abruptly with no warning. Occasionally it may end with a warning sign designating the dynamic change ahead or there are times in life when we reach a point, according to Chip and Dan Heath in their book The Power of Moments, of a significant “personal crystallization of discontent” leading to crucial decision making. Shel Siverstein’s well-known poem “Where the Sidewalk Ends” reflects a childhood challenge of leaving the security of the sidewalk for greater, unpredictable adventure emerging into the next level:

There is a place where the sidewalk ends
And before the street begins,
And there the grass grows soft and white,
And there the sun burns crimson bright,
And there the moon-bird rests from his flight
To cool in the peppermint wind.

Looking at principles of crucial decision-making in the adult version is summed up: Where the Pavement Ends … and the adventure of crucial decision making begins!  There are any number of pavement ending experiences requiring critical decisions be made. Often seen as a crossroads, it is easily noted that we are in one of three positions when it comes to crucial crossroads: we are all approaching, in the midst or have just past through the challenging experience of a stretching decision making process.

Nestled in the Old Testament is the story of Esther which unfolds with significant principles of Godly, effective decision making in a critical situation. Woven into the story of this young Jewish woman is a framework for handling pavement-ending experiences.

The Uniqueness of the Book of Esther

The Book of Esther is unique due to the fact that throughout the entire ten chapters God is never mentioned by name. There is not even a pronoun demanding a capital “H” as in Him or His! Certainly odd at first, it becomes a clear testimony to the Lord’s invisible, sovereign hand working in and through history as well as the lives of His people. Imagine a whole book of the Bible with no mention of God in a life or death situation! However, isn’t that how it often feels in the midst of a crisis situation requiring crucial decision-making? Where is God? Why no angels, miracles or prophet to proclaim, “Thus says the Lord!” Why no handwriting on the wall? It may feel that way, but from the Book of Esther we see God is near, active and sovereign in spite of not being mentioned by name or announced in a head turning miracle.

The Drama of Esther

The story of Esther is woven into the historical fabric of Judah’s captivity in Babylon and later, Persia.   There is intense drama building in the Book of Esther in the first three chapters leading up to Esther’s great dilemma in Chapter 4. The first chapter opens with a great party in Susa, Persia celebrating the enormous wealth and power of the empire stretching from India to Ethiopia under the ruler of the realm, King Ahasuerus. Seven days into the raging party, when “the king was merry with wine” (1:10), Ahasuerus summoned his Queen Vashti to the festival seeking to show her off because “she was lovely to look at” (1:11). The reigning queen refused the invitation, incurring the angry rage of the king. The advisors of Ahasuerus quickly pointed out the penalty for such behavior was for Vashti to be forever banned from his presence as well as the king must “give her royal position to another” (1:19). The Persian wise men even added that the necessity of this severe action was to send a message to other wives throughout the kingdom to give honor to their husbands (1:20). Decree issued, Vashti is dismissed and next, how does the King replace a beautiful queen?

The solution is a national beauty contest. Beautiful young women of the country will be paraded before the king in order for him to find one pleasing him enough to be worthy of replacing the former queen. In the midst of this impending search for a new queen we are introduced to a certain Jew named Mordecai who was originally from Jerusalem and brought to Babylon, which is now under Persian rule, as part of the Judean captivity (2:5). It’s reported that Mordecai raised his orphaned cousin, Esther, as his own daughter.   It is also noted that Esther was beautiful. There is no indication that Esther, a Jewish girl, voluntarily went into the Persian king’s beauty contest or was pressured into going since the Scripture simply reads, “Esther was also taken into the king’s palace, into the care of Hegai, the custodian of the women” (2:8). Apparently, Hagai was the individual of the king’s particular trust in the recruiting, training and supervision of the queen contestants. We also learn Hegai, in his official capacity, found favor with Esther and paid special attention to her care, provisions and treatment (2:9).

The plot thickens since Esther does not reveal her Jewish heritage or family lineage. This significant information was concealed on the advice of Mordecai (2:20). As a caring guardian, Mordecai stations himself daily near the women’s quarters of the palace in order to “learn of Esther’s welfare” (2:11). King Ahasuerus was quite attracted to beautiful Esther, loving her more than the others and officially made her queen by applauding her “grace and favor” with a crown as well as a great feast to celebrate her new royalty (2:16-18). In the meantime, Mordecai, while positioned at the king’s gate overheard a plot by a couple of disgruntled palace servants planning to assassinate King Ahasuerus (2:19-21). Mordecai reports the plot to Queen Esther who then informs the king in Mordecai’s name. The plot is confirmed, the would be assassins are hung on the gallows, the incident is recorded in the official royal chronicles (2:23) and all appears well in the capital city of Susa.

Meanwhile, King Ahasuerus promoted a man named Haman to the highest non-monarch position in the land.  It was such an elevated office that by the king’s command the other royal servants as well as common people throughout the courtyard or near the king’s gate actually bowed down paying homage to Haman (3:1-2). In the midst of the bowing down Mordecai did not bow down or pay homage to Haman. In much the same way the Jewish historical trio Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were recorded in the Book of Daniel as being captives in Babylon, but refusing to bow down to anyone other than the one true God of Israel (Daniel 3:8-18). The beauty of the Book of Esther is to see that throughout the story there is no direct mention of God, but to also see God at work in the hearts of His people as well as embedded in each and every turn as the story unfolds. In much the same way our everyday lives unfold in a flurry of potentially mundane activities without direct voice or visible illumination from God, but we are fortified by the promises in the Scriptures guaranteeing the Lord’s presence and sovereign purpose to sustain us in the midst of real life. Mordecai the Jew would not bow down to Haman (3:2) and the arrogant Haman was filled with fury against Mordecai and the people of Mordecai (3:5-6). So obsessed and filled with rage against the Jewish people was Haman that he manipulated a royal decree to invoke a plan to eliminate the people of Mordecai. Antisemitism is nothing new. Haman took advantage of his standing with the king to promote a savage program designed to annihilate the Jews, young and old including women and children, all in one day (3:12-13). Remember, whether it mentions His name or not, the Jewish people are the chosen children of God. Anti-Semites throughout history would be wise to remember this well-established and documented fact. Haman was destined to find out the hard way about the sovereign hand of God protecting His people! How was Haman to know that King Ahasuerus’ favorite queen was quietly, privately and secretly a Jew and a close relative of Mordecai?

At the time Haman was executing his diabolical plot against the Jewish people, Mordecai recognized the severity of the threat and responded in the Hebrew custom of putting on sackcloth and ashes in the midst of the public square. He was joined by Jewish people who where also fasting, weeping and lamenting in sackcloth and ashes in response to the announcement of the king’s deadly decree. God’s name may not be mentioned in Esther’s book, but His people were exercising humility in prayerful appeals to God for their deliverance. This is where the pavement ends for Queen Esther. This is where life changed dramatically and some crucial, timely decisions needed to be made.

The Important Question

The Jews are under a devious decree of death. Ironically, one of their very own is actually, and secretly, the queen of the land. A crisis situation has arisen leaving Queen Esther in the beautiful palace with an incredible dilemma and the need to make crucial decisions. She knows it’s serious when her cousin Mordecai refuses her first response to quickly end his trouble by putting on the garments she sent to him. Esther is distressed, aware there is no easy solution and gears up to tackle the problem. By observing the life of Queen Esther in this critical situation, what are some important principles or useful framework for making Godly, effective decisions? What are we able to observe in Esther’s decision-making process that will help us navigate our own pavement ending experiences?

Gather Accurate Information

Resting comfortably in the palace with all the pampering of the queen, Esther realized something had changed ushering in a difficult situation. The smooth paved road was ending abruptly and Esther needed accurate information to fortify her decision-making skills. Hathach, a servant of the king assigned to Esther, was sent in her quest for understanding. Notice the language used to describe Esther’s response: she “ordered him to go to Mordecai to learn what this was and why it was” (4:5). Hathach is sent on a fact-finding assignment to strengthen Esther’s decision-making skills with accurate information. Her order had the urgency of go, learn, find out what is happening and why!

With no interest in palace or courtyard rumors, Esther sent her investigator Hathach directly to Mordecai to find out the truth. Note the strong language of accuracy used in the report: “ … Mordecai told him all that had happened to him, and the exact sum of the money Haman had promised to pay …” (4:7) as well as “… Mordecai gave him a copy of the written decree … that he might show it to Esther and explain it to her …” (4:8).   Distorted information easily leads to sub par decision-making. In such an earnest effort to gain accurate information we, like Esther, must be prepared to hear and learn the unexpected. Esther is sharp and intelligent. Truth is objective, outside of our control. She pursued accurate information that was congruent with the truth. We live in an information age laced with propaganda and false or misleading data bantered around on the Internet or other media outlets. The mental capacity to reason and to think carefully is an important aspect of our being made in the image of God. George Bernard Shaw warned, “Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.” Our mental ability is a significant tool to forge a wise and flourishing life. This is especially true when our minds are empowered by wholehearted surrender to God. It is Godly to think well! Esther surged forward by seeking accurate information providing a view of significant options before making any rash decisions.

Evaluate the Significant Options

Often an immediate option seems expedient, but haste is not the best route. Mordecai, through the messenger Hathach, commanded Esther to use her royal status and “go to the king to beg his favor and plead with him on behalf of her people” (4:8).  That may be a good idea and it certainly came from a reliable source, but Esther pauses in the midst of the crisis giving time to evaluate the options. Esther’s measured pace and deliberate steps indicate her wisdom.

Once again, take note of the language used in Esther’s reply to Mordecai:

Then Esther spoke to Hathach and commanded him to go to Mordecai and say, “All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know  that if any man or woman goes to the king inside the inner court without being called, there is but one law — to be put to death, except the one to  whom the king holds out the golden scepter so that he may live. But as for  me, I have not been called to come in to the king these thirty days.”                                                                                                                                                       Esther 4:10-11

Evaluating options, Esther first recalls what is common knowledge by saying, “All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know” that to go into the inner court one must be summoned. In a certainly emotional, challenging time Esther stabilizes her thinking about options by relying on facts and not feelings. First, everyone knows that to go before the king, there must be an invitation.

Esther recites the law of the land in regard to an uninvited visit to the inner court: “there is but one law — to be put to death.” Esther resists emotional instability by objectively reciting the law as a way to effectively evaluate options. Carefully considering the legal statute, Esther notes violation of the permission clause calls for death unless the king holds out the royal scepter, granting mercy and permission to enter his presence! Esther is not only a beauty contest winner; she is intelligent as well as articulate in the law of the land. Taking into account common knowledge and the actual law allows Esther to note both the consequences as well as the exceptions to those consequences of an uninvited visit to the inner court of King Ahasuerus. Wisdom carefully considers the long-range consequences of immediate action.

Esther considers her personal status in relation to the law by reporting that she had not been summoned for some thirty days. Again, her response to Mordecai is solid, factual and insightful information needed to evaluate all options in crucial decisions making. Moving from accurate information to potential options provides the superstructure necessary in the bridge building process to effective decision-making. Logical, clear thinking and employing our full rational mental capabilities are a significant part of our being created in the image of God. The LORD told the prophet Isaiah (1:18), “Come let us reason together …” indicating the clear invitation to address our decisions and understanding by joining with the LORD in the process of clear thinking. According to Dorothy Sayers in The Lost Tools of Learning:

It is not spiritual or wise to prolong intellectual childhood – especially when we are told in the greatest command to love God with our heart, soul, mind and strength!

Critical decision-making in a crisis situation is an adult skill, honed by the process itself and nurtured by the God who created us in His image. It’s a lesson teaching us where we have control or influence and where we do not have much of either. Continuing in the story of Esther, we learn there are times when our options are simply not great. This dilemma leads to the next principle surfacing in the story:

Listen to Godly Counsel  

We need shared wisdom from others. Accurate information launches a careful analysis of options and wisdom supercharges the decision-making process when we seek Godly counsel. Esther turned for insight to the individual who has been the most influential in her life. Given his standing in the community as a faithful, respected Jewish captive from Jerusalem, we can assume Mordecai counseled Esther from a traditional God fearing worldview. The Lord is not directly mentioned, but Mordecai’s life and insight are packed with Kingdom of God principles.

Mordecai gives Esther a divine perspective in the crisis. Mordecai moved Esther from a mirror to the window by helping her see the big picture:

Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not think to yourself that in the  king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews.  For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from  another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows  whether you have not  come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

Esther 4:13-14

Mordecai reminded Esther there were significant others involved by referring to “all the other Jews” and “your father’s house.” He continued to recognize the sovereignty of God in the current crisis by saying, “relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews” and the strong reminder of divine providence “who know whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” The counsel of Mordecai was simple and insightful: in a time of crisis and critical decision-making we must see the big picture! There are others involved who must be considered and the very place we find ourselves is ordained by God’s sovereignty.

Godly counsel from a trusted and respected mentor enhances our critical decision making skills. The best counsel is from individuals who walk with God by having a pulse on God’s character, demonstrating confidence in the Lord’s providential sovereignty by being men or women of the Scriptures. Of course, such wise advice is useless unless listened to and taken seriously in the decision-making process:

 Listen to advice and accept instruction,
that you may gain wisdom in the future.            Proverbs 19:20

The effective and best decisions we make are the fruit of wisdom. Such wisdom is cultivated in a deep personal reverence for the Lord as well as maintaining the company and counsel of wise individuals who encourage our seeking wisdom from God himself. To her credit, Esther listened to the Godly counsel by deciding to take the next important step: 

Wait on the LORD

Waiting on the Lord reduces toxic humanism. A period of pause, framed in God’s word, allows the Lord to go before us in the path ahead. Esther tells Mordecai, “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do.” (4:16) A period of prayer is common practice with fasting. It is apparent Esther is calling for three days of waiting on the Lord with prayer and fasting. Notice the partnership in waiting on the Lord together.  Throughout the Scriptures waiting on the Lord is not about our cleverness or a formula for success, but a dedicated time of wholehearted concentration creating a posture of listening, knowing and surrendering to God’s sovereign will.

A time of waiting on the Lord bears spiritual fruit. The Prophet Isaiah wrote that those who wait on the Lord renew their strength and they shall mount up with wings like eagles (Isaiah 40:31). The 40^th chapter of Isaiah begins with “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God” (40:1), it then exalts the value of God’s word followed by honoring God’s greatness by finishing with the admonition and powerful value of waiting on the Lord! This focused attention called “waiting on the Lord” is a constant theme throughout the Scriptures. Moses was told to wait on the mountain. The Children of Israel were instructed to wait until Ark of the Covenant was moving. The disciples of Jesus were told to wait in the upper room for the “promise of the Father” of the Holy Spirit and power. David often celebrated the virtue of waiting on the Lord in his poetry:

Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord!                                                Psalm 37:14

In the process of crucial decision-making, a period of waiting on the Lord may seem counter-intuitive. It is the most important framework helping to insure we are depending on the Lord’s presence and purpose above our own human ingenuity and resources. If there is no God, then skip this step because it is a waste of time. But since God is really there, it is the most dynamic step of all. It is reverence for the Lord expressed by waiting as clay in the hands of the potter and surrendering to “not my will, but your will be done.” We might be in a hurry, but God is not. Eugene Peterson insightfully observed, “Our compulsive timetables collide with God’s leisurely providence.” (Run with the Horses) Waiting on the Lord is not passive. It is actively listening and enjoying the divine presence of the Father, Son and Spirit. Waiting on Lord reduces our human tendency to run ahead on our own energy, insight and strength. The intentional pause to wait, to listen, and to pay attention to the Lord pulls the process away from mere human sensibilities or insights by simply giving God the time to speak. The prophet Jeremiah noted the spiritual virtue of waiting on the Lord even in difficult captive challenges:

“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in him.”

The Lord is good to those who wait for him,
to the soul who seeks him.

It is good that one should wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord.

Lamentations 3:24-26

Slowing the pace in active waiting before the Lord recognizes the truth that God is really there and rewards those who seek Him. Dr. Francis Schaeffer magnifies the significance of this waiting on the Lord as the way to “do the Lord’s work in the Lord’s way.” Dr. Schaeffer illuminated the process by writing,

“If we think we can operate on our own, if we do not comprehend  the need for power beyond our own,  we will never get started. If we  think the power of our own cleverness is enough, we will be at a  standstill.”                                        Francis A. Schaeffer, No Little People

Waiting on the Lord in the posture of spiritual discipline like prayer, fasting, silence and solitude while framed in Scripture reduces our dependence on mere human technique in favor of divine guidance and power via the Holy Spirit. Esther resisted the temptation to be an aggressive activist, charging ahead of the Lord’s work in the Lord’s way by waiting and praying. In crucial decision-making we learn to wait on the Lord.

Fasting as part of prayer is not an attempt to get God’s attention. Fasting is a way of getting our attention. Like other spiritual disciplines involving intentional abstinence, fasting helps us separate from the world and attach to the Lord.  Other spiritual disciplines like silence and solitude combine with fasting in prayer to secure our heart in a posture genuinely seeking and hearing the Lord.   In the case of Esther, she set aside a three day period to focus on God and prepare her heart for a strong “not my will, but your will be done” moment in the decision making process.

Stepping aside for a pause via prayer and fasting prevents crucial decision making from becoming a dried out, lifeless formula. It energizes the pavement ending experience with a refreshed intimacy with God. Trust, faith, reverence and utter dependence on the Lord Almighty helps illuminate the upcoming path, options and decisions.

Wisdom from above is crucial in significant decisions. Fear of the Lord, a deep personal reverence for God nurtured in quiet waiting is the beginning of wisdom. This wisdom from above is there for the asking (James 1:5-8) and is characterized as being “pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” (James 3:17) The best possible decision-making in a crucial situation is in the light of discernment infused into the process by practicing the presence of the Lord under the divine authority revealed in the Scriptures. The Bible, as the inspired word of the Lord, speaks for God in a way that no guidance, instructions or direction from the Lord will ever contradict His Word. Wisdom from above to fortify our decision process will not conflict with the biblically revealed Word of God as inspired by the Holy Spirit, preserved by divine providence for generations and illuminated by the same Spirit in our study, reflection and meditation. The framework for effective wisdom is the Bible as the authoritative Word of God.

Once the three days of prayer and fasting ended we see young Queen Esther courageously

Take Decisive Action

There is no paralysis by analysis. Following a period of prayer and fasting, Esther took action. Courage is not the absence of fear, but the simple determination to move ahead in spite of fear. We are able to manage the process and not the outcome. We can do the right thing for the right reason and the outcome may seem to spin out of control. The promises and presence of God sustain our joy. After all, joy is a deep-seated sense of well being in spite of circumstances. As Nehemiah told the assembly of Jews gathered to hear Ezra the scribe read the word of the Lord in the face of relentless conspiracy, oppression and violent opposition to their rebuilding project in Jerusalem: “Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10) Esther waited on the Lord and it was time to act courageously. Look at her definitive statements:

“ … I will go to the King, though it is against the law” (4:16)

“… and if I perish, I perish” (4:16)

“ … Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court” (5:1)

Notice how Esther’s focus is the process by saying “I will go” and by putting on her royal robes and standing in the inner courtyard of the King. The outcome is not in her hands; she trusts the Lord by saying. “If I perish, I perish.” This is no mere fatalism. It is reminiscent of the declaration of faith in the Lord by Shadrack, Mechack and Abendigo in the Book of Daniel when refusing to bow to any pagan image. Threatened with the fiery furnace, they stood up to authority by saying, “Our God can save us, but even if he does not, we are not going to bow to you.” (Daniel 3:17-18)  Esther, like the boys in Daniel, resolved to do the right thing, regardless of the outcome by leaving it in the trustworthy hand of God. Crucial decision-making is a dedicated process to make the best choices, but trusting the Lord with the outcome.

It is of note that both Esther and the boys in Daniel thought it better to die doing the right thing, than to survive doing the wrong thing. This is a simple reminder for a child of God in Jesus that the process of crucial decision is cultivating faith in the Lord, our faithfulness to Him and the infusion of wisdom from above. The process nurtures faith and confidence in a divine perspective because the outcome is in the providential hand of God. The process is discipleship; the outcome is congruent with the Lord’s purpose. We courageously take action because even when we do not get it right, the Lord makes it right. King David and the Apostle Paul understood this dynamic principle:

The steps of a man are established by the Lord,
when he delights in his way;
though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong,
for the Lord upholds his hand.                        David, Psalms 37:23-24

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to        pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with                        groaning too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is  the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints  according to the will of God.  And we know that for those who love God  all  things work together for good, for those who are called  according to his purpose.                                                                                                 Paul, Romans 8:26-28

Notice in the Spirit inspired words of each Biblical writer in the dynamic relationship between process (discipleship) and outcome (God’s sovereignty) leads to freedom and courage. As the Apostle Paul wrote later in Romans 8:31, “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”  We are not alone in the universe and decisions, no matter how crucial, help us to a realistic divine perspective. J.J.R. Tolkien uses Gandalf to clarify this point to a bewildered Bilbo Baggins at the end of The Hobbit:

Surely you don’t disbelieve the prophecies, because you had a hand in              bringing them about yourself? You don’t really suppose, do you, that all your adventures and escapes were managed by mere luck, just for your sole benefit?  You are a very fine person, Mr. Baggins, and I am very fond of you; but you are only quite a little fellow in a wide world after all!

Even in the midst of the most crucial situation, seeing it from a divine perspective reminds us that we really are only quite little fellows in a wide world where God is sovereign and in control. We engage wholeheartedly in the process, God determines the outcome

Esther’s resolve and courage to go before King Ahasuerus uninvited was the fruit of her wise process of gathering accurate information, carefully evaluating significant options, listening to Godly counsel, faithfully waiting on the Lord in prayer and fasting before taking such decisive action. We turn to the fifth chapter Esther and the rest of the book for

The Outcome

As Esther approached the royal chamber with deliberate steps of prepared courage, King Ahasuerus was pleased to see her and graciously extended the golden scepter to save her life, welcoming Esther into his presence (5:1-3). At this point, invited by the king to voice her request, Esther resisted an emotional, impulsive outburst of her tragic dilemma in favor of a more strategic approach. Esther simply, with respect invited the king and the wicked Haman to a feast of her preparation (5:4). As the process proceeds, the outcome is still in the hand of God:

The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
but the victory belongs to the Lord.                        Proverbs 21:31

In the reality of a supernatural world, there is always more going on than meets the eye. Haman, the pagan, is delighted with the invitation and is convinced the banquet is to honor his splendor, wealth and achievements. Mordecai still refused to bow to Haman, filling Haman with wrath against Mordecai and his people. The angst in Haman’s life is so great over this one issue that his wife and friends recommended building a public gallows to hang the defiant Mordecai. Their plot is to eliminate Mordecai and then go joyfully to the feast. Work on the gallows began, but the Lord had a different plan for those gallows. Later that night, we are told the “king could not sleep” (6:1). Deciding to do a little reading to combat the sleeplessness, Ahasuerus calls for the “book of memorable deeds” (6:1). In the official record he finds the story of Mordecai saving his royal life by foiling the palace assassination plot. Asking attendants what had been done to honor this heroic effort? King Ahasuerus learned nothing had been done as a tribute to Mordecai in this matter. Because there is more going on than meets the eye, Haman has shown up early to his duties at the royal court in order to get the king’s authorization to hang Mordecai on the newly constructed gallows. Ahasuerus, fresh from his recent research, asks Haman a simple question, “What should be done to the man whom the king delights to honor?”(6:6) Of course, the arrogant Haman thinks the man of honor must be for himself! (6:6) So Haman gives the king his own personal wish list: a royal robe, a beautiful imperial horse, a royal crown to wear and a public parade (6:7-9). King Ahasuerus was elated! Imagine Haman’s shock and disbelief when the king said, “Hurry, take the robe and the horse, as you have said, and do so to Mordecai the Jew … leave out nothing that you have mentioned” (6:10).   Remember, Haman had come to the palace that morning to gain the king’s permission to execute Mordecai! After fulfilling the king’s command to honor Mordecai, Haman returned home in shame and humiliation. Haman’s wife and friends indicate some recognition of the significance of the Jews being God’s chosen people and thus that there is more going on than meets the eye when they offer their counsel by saying, “If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of the Jewish people, you will not overcome him but will surely fall before him.” (6:13) This is a theme throughout Esther’s story. Even though God’s name is never mentioned, His sovereign hand is clearly at work maintaining His covenant people. In the day-to-day real life of a believer we may not see God directly slinging miracles, making prophetic announcements or broadcasting directions from a flaming bush, but by faith we embrace the Lord’s presence and promises made clear in His Word.

The rest of the story? At the banquet Esther reveals the plot against her people. The king is incensed by the threat to his beautiful Queen Esther, as well as to his recently honored hero Mordecai and their people. Haman is revealed as being behind the evil scheme. King Ahasuerus invokes a great irony: the king orders Haman’s execution on the gallows that Haman himself ordered constructed to hang Mordecai (7:9-10). Reading on in Esther we see Mordecai promoted to second in command under the king (10:1-3) and successful in the government of the Persian Empire, the enemies of the Jews are destroyed, the welfare of the entire nation blossomed and the spontaneous merriment was established as the Jewish celebration of The Feast of Purim (9:23-28). The term purim refers to lots, as those cast in the ancient world by those seeking divine guidance! The Feast of Purim commemorates God’s guidance through the faithfulness, wisdom and courage of a beautiful Jewish orphaned young woman and the wholehearted devotion of her faithful, insightful cousin. Purim was announced in “words of peace and truth” (9:30) to remember their time of fasting and lamenting (9:31) in the light of God’s sovereign preservation of His people.

The story of Esther is more profound than mere principles of effective decision-making. It is a beautiful picture of God’s faithfulness in the extraordinary challenges of pavement ending experiences. The historical narrative of Esther illuminates the process of trusting the Lord’s providential hand to guide us effectively in the midst of this broken world. Faced with devastating circumstances, the young Queen Esther gathered accurate in formation, evaluated significant options, listened to Godly counsel, waited on the Lord in prayer and fasting before taking courageous, decisive action used by God to save His people. The next time our pavement ends requiring the necessity of crucial decision-making, reflect on Esther’s story and in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ remember that we have a sovereign extending the “golden scepter” as an invitation to help in the process:

 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.              Hebrews 4:16

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jeff Zippi is a freelance writer living in Templeton, California. His formal education was at Cal State University, Northridge (BA, History), United States International University, San Diego (MA, Education) and Biola University’s Talbot School of Theology (MDiv, Theology). Following graduation from CSUN, Jeff also spent valuable time in 1972 as a Farel House student at the L’Abri Fellowship in Huemoz, Switzerland under the instruction and guidance of Dr. Francis Schaeffer, Os Guiness, Udo Middlemann and Donald Drew. Mr. Zippi served 35 years as a Christian high school teacher in the Humanities (history, political science and theology) before enjoying his current emeritus status and part time teaching Biblical Studies as an adjunct instructor for Eternity Bible College’s satellite campus in Atascadero, California.