Reflections on Esther

A few months ago now at Church we looked at Esther, and as I'm blessed abundantly with time at the moment I decided to cast an eye back over my notes....and what a great story Esther is!

I guess the main application point gained was to trust in God even when he feels absent. Throughout the whole of the book God is never mentioned yet he is seen at work in the story as the completely devastating position of the Jews when they are about to be annihilated soon gets turned around and the Jews instead come out victorious over their enemies. The story quickly moves from despair, to deliverance and rejoicing- a great reflection of the greatest story of all- our salvation freely given to us by the cross.

There are many lessons to be learnt also from the actions of the characters. In chapters 1 and 2 we see Esther and Mordecai being shaped somewhat by the culture they are in as they lack being distinctive, hiding their true identity as God's people. The challenge is put to us that they are kept safe- but at what cost? The way in which the characters are presented here warns us not to follow their example (at this point), and we are warned not to be impressed by appearances of greatness/glory etc in the culture and things around us.

Then in chapters 3 and 4 we see God using Esther and Mordecai. The baddie Haman has it in for Mordecai and plots revenge on all the Jews- getting a law passed for them to be killed. Yet under Mordecai's persuasion, Esther finally sees that she has been placed in a position where she can be used by God and help her people. She takes a risk for God and reveals her true identity to the king asking for his help for the Jews etc... Esther is both an example and a challenge for us here- she is a shadow of Christ making the ultimate sacrifice on the cross. We are challenged to also look around us and see why God has placed us in specific situations, and we are called to take risks for His glory and to tell others about Jesus....And as Matt pointed out it is in Christ's death for us that we find the power to live and take risks for him! -Amazing!

In chapters 5-7, the evil Haman comes to his end and whilst reading it, the dramatic irony is almost humorous in the way that we see Haman's pride exposed- the reward he wants for himself is given to his enemy, and the death he sets out for his enemy is carried out upon him. Whilst reading the story we enjoy the way in which justice is brought about and we see God turning the tables of the situation. This is another emphasis for us to trust in him even when it feels like he is not present. And there is also a deeper lesson- I look at Haman and it is quite easy to see elements of yourself in the character. It is his pride that is his obvious flaw and his downfall, and whilst none of us hopefully exhibit as much pride and self-seeking glory that he does here, we all do seek glory or approval/admiration of others being given to us in different ways. Haman's fate is a strong warning to us of where such thoughts lead to.

The closing chapters show us how Mordecai helps to establish peace in contributing to a law being passed for the Jews to defend themselves...and they clearly triumph over their enemies. And the closing of the book points to the fact that the best is yet to come. Again it is a shadow of the greatest story of all- the way in which Christ has secured peace for his people!

In summary, Esther is a great story as it continually tells us to trust in God's sovereignty, goodness and justice even when he feels absent. To trust that he is at work in our lives even when we face devastating situations. To remember that alluring things of the current day, and ways in which we seek out glory/approval for ourselves ultimately lead no where...And to trust that the best is yet to come! Phew!