We are studying Esther this semester in the Bible study I teach locally and you are invited to join along! You can do so by:
- Reading my Tuesday blog (which highlights one truth from the teaching the previous week)
- Do the Lesson with us (you can order your own book here: http://joyofliving.org/product/esther-adult-study-english/
- Listen to the weekly teaching lecture here: fbcsiloam.podbean.com
- Or do all the above!
The theme of this book is the providence of God in the preservation of His people. It’s interesting to note that God’s name is never mentioned in the book of Esther, but God’s hand is all over it.
The heroine of this book which also bears her name has been made queen. At first glance the book of Esther reads like a Cinderella story. The king’s men are sent throughout the kingdom to find all the young girls and bring them to the palace. All would be given beauty treatments and one would be made queen. But then a more detailed reading reveals these girls were not really given a choice upon being recruited. They become part of the king’s harem and are essentially concubines.
Life for our heroine, the poor little Jewish girl who becomes queen, really is not a fairy tale. She is married to a man who could have her killed just for coming into his presence without being summoned.
Her Jewish heritage is at first kept secret. An orphan, she had been raised by her older cousin, Mordecai. When an edict is issued to annihilate the Jews, he sends word for her to act.
The enemy of God has worked throughout history to annihilate God’s people –the Hitler of the 21st century was not the first.
Esther’s understandable reluctance is answered by Mordecai. His words are found in Esther 4:14 and they are the key verse for our study in the book of Esther:
For if you remain silent at this time,
relief and deliverance for the Jews
will arise from another place,
but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that
you have come to royal position
for such a time as this?
Esther 4:14
God’s unfolding promise to bless the world through the Jewish people to Abram back in Genesis 12 was not forgotten.
God is faithful to keep His Word. The Hamans and Hitlers of the world don’t’ stand a chance against the true living God.
Mordecai’s words confirm his confident belief in God: relief and deliverance for the Jews will be provided. The question is, “Esther, are you going to choose to be part of it? Are you going to get to be part of this blessing – or will God choose someone else for it? Perhaps you were even brought to this position for such a time as this!”
Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham. He is the blessing to the world who made eternal life possible for all with His once and for all sacrifice. If you claim Jesus as your Savior, you are part of the blessing promised to Abraham. Our identity in Christ means we are grafted in!
And that means are also blessed with “such a time as this” opportunities, as well!
Do we see them? Acknowledge them? Do we eagerly look for the doors God opens and walk on through? Or do we stay seated and allow God to allow someone else to claim the blessing He intended for us?
God was not in heaven wringing His hands and thinking, “Oh no – whatever will I do if Esther doesn’t step up? Years of planning wasted…my people are goners… the lineage for Jesus to be born will be eliminated….” NO! Of course not! God is God! He is almighty and all powerful! He will have His way!
He doesn’t need us – He allows us to be used by Him. He loves us and wants to draw us into what He is doing. This is not duty, but delight! This is not have to, but want to! Are you all in?
The link to the entire Introductory lecture on Esther can be found here:
http://fbcsiloam.podbean.com/e/esther-bible-study-introduction/
I applaud your talent!