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The book of Esther is a very unusual book of the Bible. Unusual for many reasons, but especially because there is no direct mention of the Lord. Despite this, His presence can be felt through the highs and lows of the story. All these events could be written off as a coincidence, but in the words of baseball star Yogi Berra, “That’s too coincidental to be a coincidence.” It is just too improbable that all the events of this story lined up perfectly to thwart Haman and his allies. In hindsight we can see how the Lord was working through human beings that were wicked, foolish, and righteous, to accomplish His will.
The story of Esther reminds us that our God delights in reversing situations and subverting human expectations, because of His love and righteousness. We see this in the life of Joseph, where God takes his brothers’ plans for evil and uses them for all their good. The Lord chose small, imperfect, and unimpressive people to bring His light into the world through the Torah and His other teachings. Later it is David, the least impressive of Jesse’s sons that is made king of Israel and from whom the Messiah is promised to come.
Finally, we have Messiah Yeshua Himself, an unassuming worker from Galilee. He was rejected, misunderstood, and despised by most people. He subverted their expectations of who the Messiah was and what He would accomplish through His earthly ministry. He accomplished for us all the ultimate reversal described in 2 Corinthians 5:21, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” In His sinless life, death, and resurrection, we see the ultimate reversal of our fallen state. We are no longer heading towards death, but life everlasting.
These reversals throughout God’s Word share one important truth. Throughout the history of our people, we have seen the Lord’s love poured out on those who belong to Him and judgment on those who are His enemies. The Lord will humble the wicked and the proud while raising the righteous and meek.
We see this lesson taught once again in Esther 9:1,”…on the day when the enemies of the Jews hoped to gain the mastery over them, it was turned to the contrary so that the Jews themselves gained the mastery over those who hated them.”
As we consider the lessons of Esther, we must remember that the Lord is as living and active today as He was then. The Lord can and will reverse terrible situations to His glory. The Hamans of our world today may seem unstoppable, but the judgment of the Lord will come for them in His time. Their schemes will also be reversed, and the Lord will see His will done.
Today we need to be sure which side we are on. Are we trying to do the Lord’s will like righteous Mordechai? Or are we following our sinful desires like Haman? In Revelation 22:12 we have this promise from our Messiah, “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.” Mordechai and Haman both received the rewards for what they did and so will we.
May the Lord enable us to trust in Him even when His presence seems veiled. May the plans of the wicked be thwarted in every place and age. May each of us receive the reward of the righteous, eternal life, peace, and joy with our wonderful Messiah forever.