The book of Esther is one of the most intriguing books in the Bible. Not once in all of its pages is the LORD mentioned and yet there is no other book in the Bible in which the predestinating HAND of the Sovereign POTENTATE of the world is seen any more clearly. Upon every page, we see events unfold that all work together to weave an incredible tapestry which clearly manifests the Sovereign rule of HIM who says of HIMSELF, “I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.” (Isa 45:7)
From HIS use of the prideful desire of King Ahasuerus to manifest the glory of his own kingdom, to the rise of lowly Mordecai to a place of unlikely honor in that kingdom; events transpire which cannot be explained away as mere happenstance. Yet the men of this world are much more content to speak of coincidences, luck, accidents, circumstances, etc. than they are to fall upon their faces in wonder at the demonstration of the providence and purpose of GOD. Even this is according to the design of HIM, as the LORD JESUS declared, “I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.” (Mat 11:25-27)
When a girl child was born into the household of some Hebrews living in captivity in Babylon, no one could have predicted that this child, Hadassah, would one day be seated as the Queen of Babylon. Such things only occur in fairy tales, so they say, yet GOD has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise. Not only is she born into captivity but is orphaned at a young age. The most unlikely of guardians, stepped forth to raise her as his own daughter. One Mordecai, her father’s nephew. Even her very name carries with it a most sublime mystery, for this Hebrew name literally means “a myrtle”. Quite odd except that we read of the providential care of the LORD for that Earthly nation which HE chose as the people of HIS delight. “I saw by night, and behold a man riding upon a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle trees that were in the bottom; and behind him were there red horses, speckled, and white.” (Zec 1:8) “What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.” (Rom 3:1-2)
This young woman, Hadassah (her Hebrew name), is better known to us by her Chaldean name, Esther. That name literally means “a star”, which she surely became, yet completely raised to that status by “circumstances” totally outside of herself. We can certainly say she was “ordained” to occupy this position, not for her own sake, but so that the Jews might be delivered from the murderous plans of those that hated them.
Mordecai was “providentially” put in the “right place at the right time” to overhear the treasonous plotting of men intent on harming King Ahasuerus. Mordecai alerted Queen Esther of this plot who in turn told the King. No recognition was given to Mordecai at this time but it “just so happened” that an account of the matter was recorded in the Chronicles of the King who upon not being able to sleep one night decided to read in this Book and lo and behold he “just stumbled” upon this account and decided to honor Mordecai for his loyalty. Surely by now, we can see a pattern in all of these “happenstances” and “coincidences” lining up to bring forth the Sovereign purpose of GOD to deliver HIS people and destroy their enemies. Clearly all was predestinated by HIM who said, “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.” (Isa 46:9-11)
We rejoice in seeing HIS predestination of all these events in this account in the Book of Esther, yet we are more greatly pleased as we consider that the same ONE who ordered these things to occur for the deliverance of HIS chosen people in captivity in Babylon, is HE who has ordained the salvation of HIS elect bride, which HE chose in CHRIST from before the foundation of the world. They are in a greater place of danger and deeper in the darkness of sin and nature’s night, than these Jews. Yet HE has predestined their deliverance, by HIS determination to send HIS only begotten SON into the world to die at the hand of sinners, so that the sin debt of HIS people might be cancelled. “Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.” (Acts 2:23-24)
All of the scripture record is given to us in order to magnify the NAME of JESUS CHRIST which is a NAME above all names. In every account given to us in the history of mankind, there is one underlying SUBJECT: that the glory of CHRIST in HIS redemptive work might be manifested to those who are given eyes to see and ears to hear. The Bible is not simply a collection of writings by various prophets and teachers but is a volume which has ONE AUTHOR who has breathed every WORD upon its pages. The exaltation of CHRIST JESUS as the REDEEMER KING of HIS everlasting Kingdom is the foundational principle which undergirds every line, every paragraph, and every chapter contained therein. Any benefit derived therefrom by mankind is secondary in purpose to that grand design to install CHRIST in HIS rightful place as the KING of kings and LORD of lords.
As we are given understanding to behold this glorious purpose, we are taken aback by the wonders of this Kingdom, wherein HE has raised the potsherds of the dust to seats of glory with HIM as HE makes them, “heirs and joint heirs” with HIM. Even as HE prayed for them, “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.” (John 17:24) “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” (1Cor 2:9-10)
In the days of King Ahasuerus, he called men from every province to come and behold the “riches of his glorious kingdom and the honor of his excellent majesty.” All of those things which he gloried in came to nought and he was brought to moulder in the dust even as the least important peasant under his rule. Yet in this, by type and foreshadow, we are reminded of the glorious Kingdom of HIM whose Kingdom shall never pass away. We are given the privilege to behold the wonders of that Kingdom, as HE is pleased to send the Gospel into the earth, to manifest the unsearchable riches of CHRIST. HIS ways are past finding out, yet HE calls, and HIS people hear HIS voice from every kindred, and tongue in the Earth. None can hinder the ongoing of this glorious message nor can any enhance it, for when that which is perfect is come that which is in part is done away.
“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell.” (Col 1:16-19) Do you marvel at the wonders of HIS Kingdom and worship at HIS footstool?
mam