One cannot help but be inspired by reading the triumphal stories of history and the Biblical story of Esther from the intertestamental period is no exception.

Esther, the book, is clearly Jewish. Most Christians overlook the book in favor of the more popular story, such as the stories of David and Goliath, the prophets, the books of wisdom, or the Torah (or Pentateuch). However, they miss the golden seeds of the truth that faithfulness and trust are eternal keys to success in life in any age.

Life for Jews in this post-exile period was not easy at all. They would identify with the oppression suffered even at this time by various groups, for example minority groups in Zimbabwe. King Xerxes (Hebrew name Ahasuerus) I was a little crazy; treating his own family cruelly, let alone the Hebrews, whom he simply wanted to eliminate (see Esther 3: 9-11).[1] But, God’s purposes prevailed as history reveals.

One of Esther’s theological messages is the juxtaposition of destiny and faith. A people, the majority, believed in destiny, while the Jews chose faith. The ridiculous thing about this comparison is that God scoffs at one (fate) and anoints the other (faith). Faith is a combination of “divine providence coupled with human vigilance [i.e. prudence] and timely action [i.e. diligence]. “[2] Fate is only wishing, it has no substance and is backed by inaction. The author of Esther proves to us that the three qualities of faith (providence, vigilance, and action) are represented in history, since neither Esther nor Mordecai could foresee what would be required of them in advance, until the time to act came.

Somersaults appear to be God’s domain when Ahasuerus’s right hand, Haman, is hanged and the man he tried to exterminate (with his draft decree), Mordecai gets his job having won the king’s favor. No one could have predicted this. This turn of events is an example of divine providence backed by faithful waiting and action. Esther 8:17 and 9: 3 are examples of the common attribution of God as sovereign on earth and the widespread influence of Mordecai.[3] Many became Jews recognizing the only true God.

Surprisingly, there are still many people who reject the truth of God’s providential hand in ordering the world and instead believe in destiny – that is, horoscopes, tarot cards, and clairvoyants. It is the eternal purposes of God that triumph each time. When people falsely choose to believe ridiculous and baseless notions and fail to act to help their cause, they can consistently and demorally fail.

And what about applying these lessons to ourselves, personally? The book contrasts the rudeness of the Ahasuerus feasts, which brought “dire consequences”, and the opposite, the diligent action of fasting (and praying) which “worked for the good.”[4] This latest example of faith trusts that God will provide us with opportunities to cooperate with His divine purposes. We must have hope (through prayer and fasting) and then always be alert to act when called to act, expressing the required courage. We should see that everyone, without exception, has a role to play in God’s purposes in the world, no matter how small and seemingly insignificant. Let’s reflect on these specific examples:

The true hero in this story is Mordecai because of the steadfastness of his faith in pushing Queen Esther to act despite the very real risks to her own life in attempting to cooperate with God in the liberation of the Jews. But the far right also needed heroic action from the Queen; she obeyed Mordecai’s direction by ordering a nationwide fast and vowing to ‘go to the king’ at the end, even though it was against the law, and could have been executed for it. This is true courage. She might have been comfortable on the throne but she didn’t break faith.

Haman’s arrogance should also be an example for us. His pride was his downfall, as he could not bear to regard anyone (with the exception of the king) as his equal. “God has an amazing track record of making evil plans for planners.”[5] Those who dig wells for others will fall into their own well (Proverbs 26:27). The big lesson is this: the schemers in our lives will get their just desserts, but only if we leave the act of retribution to God. Not only this. Neither must we be scheming or we will succumb to judgment. God does not respect people. Judge equally and without favoritism. Leave justice to the true king. Trust him and he will do it, in his own way and in his time.

Mordecai’s humility is also a shining light of example for us. He thwarted the assassination attempt on the king’s life (6: 2), but he never sought reward for it. He must have trusted God. He did not need to convey his act or be glorified for it. God’s purposes were for the king to eventually find out and then seek to reward his faithful servant. Justice arrives. How often do we wait so patiently or leave congratulations alone? This is a great challenge for all of us not to seek rewards for our good deeds.

Esther’s patience of faith in not acting ahead of time is also significant. The king was granting her ‘up to half the kingdom’, but she had the balance to invite the king and Haman to another banquet in honor of the king. There was nothing deceptive about the plan, he just chose to bless the king and please him even more. That is obedient faith; not act only of your own free will, but wait. Voluntarily loving someone without conditions.

As we await our righteousness, God’s righteousness, we must be prepared to act as we are called. Because we were born for a time like this! Be of good cheer when the time comes, because it will come. The future always does.

Faith is infinitely better than destiny. We cannot afford to ignore such truth and we have nothing to lose by trying. We can only gain credibility by exercising faith. Sometimes it’s about waiting patiently and sometimes acting. Faithfulness and trust tell us when each act is appropriate.

Copyright © 2008, Steven John Wickham. All rights reserved throughout the world.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] Joyce Baldwin, Esther in New Bible Commentary (Leicester, England and Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1994, 2004), p. 443.

[2] Baldwin, ibid, p. 443.

[3] Esther 9: 3 tells us that “all the nobles of the provinces, the satraps, the governors, and the king’s administrators helped the Jews, because the fear of Mordecai seized them.”

[4] Baldwin, ibid, p. 444.

[5] Life App Bible New International Version, (Wheaton, Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. and Zondervan Publishing House, 1991), p. 833.