We are about to embark journey through the book of Esther, a book where the name of God is not once used, yet His sovereignty is displayed on every page. It is a book that has been called fiction by some, has much rabbinic folklore and speculation, but ultimately is the Truth of God’s Word and it demonstrates to us that there are no coincidences in life and God’s purposes will come to pass in all nations, families, and ultimately individual lives. Like Esther, we each have a choice to make when confronted with obedience to the Lord, but God’s plans will succeed with or without us. We will either be part of the solution and be blessed or God will raise up another “for such a time as this”.
Hadassah is the Jewish name of Esther, its meaning is “myrtle tree”. “The Talmud explains why Queen Esther was also called Hadassah: Why was she called Hadassah? Because the righteous are called myrtles. As it states (Zechariah 1:8), “And he was standing among the myrtles [the righteous prophets Chananiah, Mishael and Azariah].”
Hadassah was indeed righteous in her courage and obedience as she to stepped into a life-threatening situation for the sake of her Jewish people and in obedience to God. She sought the Lord through prayer and fasting and then acted in obedient faith that His way is right and true.
We can choose to step in faith, trusting God with the details of our obedience or miss out on the blessing that comes from obeying Him, in whatever way He may call us. One of the theme verses found in the book is Esther 4:14 – “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to the royal position for such a time as this.” Esther had to choose to trust God and in doing so saved her Jewish nation.
God placed Mordecai and Esther in Persia, at this exact time, to be instruments of righteousness for Him. It was not a surprise to God that King Ahasuerus would vanquish Queen Vashti for refusing to come into his party. It was not a coincidence that the orphan Esther was cared for by her uncle Mordecai, nor was it just good genes that this young lady was found lovely in figure and beautiful. It was not a surprise that Haman would hate the Jewish people and devise a way to destroy them. All of this was known by our omniscient God and all of these things were in the providence of God’s plan for Esther, Mordecai, Ahasuerus, Haman and ultimately the Jewish people.
God is a God of incidence and not coincidence. We find throughout both scripture and history that His hand is in all things. There is nothing random that happens and we can rest knowing that when it appears that things in life are out of control, that God is not on the throne, He has spoken and His timing, His grace, and His purpose will stand.
“Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’ (Isaiah 46:10)
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. –Proverbs 16:9
Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. –Proverbs 19:21
Who has spoken and it came to pass, unless the Lord has commanded it? –Lamentations 3:37 ESV
Whatever the LORD pleases, He does, In heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps. –Psalms 135:6
This journey will be exciting and convicting, as we find God behind the scenes in Esther’s life, and we open our eyes to see Him working behind the scenes of our own lives.