Esther’s Zeal for Her People

GOLDEN TEXT: “Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”—Esther 4:14

ESTHER 4:10-17—Our lessons for the month of April and most of the month of May had to do with God’s dealings with his people Israel who were held captives by the Medes and Persians, in preparing them to return to Judea, and his providential care over those who did return. But not all returned when given the permission by Cyrus to do so. Thousands of them, having become comfortably settled, preferred to remain where they were; and today’s lesson is concerned with the manner in which God cared for these. Although they were less faithful to God and to his covenant promises made to them than those who returned, he still considered them his people, and in this lesson we have a remarkable illustration of the wonderful way in which the Lord is able to work through apparently natural circumstances in order to care for those whom he loves.

The chief characters in this most interesting story are King Ahasuerus; his first queen, Vashti; Esther, who took Vashti’s place as queen; Mordecai, her cousin, and foster father; and Haman, chief among the princes of the realm. Arising out of King Ahasuerus’ rage over Vashti’s refusal to attend a banquet to which he summoned her, and Haman’s anger toward Mordecai because he did not pay him the homage which he demanded, was a plot to destroy all the Jews within the borders of the empire—men, women, and children.

But we have a wonderful illustration of how the Lord is able to cause the wrath of men to praise him in the providential manner in which Esther, by following the advice of her cousin and foster father Mordecai, became Ahasuerus’ queen, and thus was in a position to bring about a deliverance of her people from what otherwise would have been almost certain death for all of them.

In order to do this, however, it was necessary for Esther to risk her own life. When Mordecai first suggested the plan to her, she was somewhat hesitant. It was then that he reminded her, in the words of our Golden Text, that in all probability the Lord had arranged for her to “come to the kingdom” at just such a time, when she could render so needed a service to her people. She was also gently reminded that as a Jewess her life was in danger anyway, and she would be risking no more by making the effort to save her people.

Esther possessed two qualifications which enabled her to serve as the savior of the Jews—her beauty, and her devotion to her people. Regardless of other qualifications which the servants of God may possess, they must be devoted to him and to his people in order for him to use them. The Apostle Paul’s background of education and Roman citizenship was a valuable asset in his service of God, but would have meant nothing apart from his fidelity to the messianic cause.

ESTHER 9:20-22, 26, 27—The laws of the Medes and Persians could not be changed, hence, although Esther won favor with the king to the point where he was desirous of saving her people, he could not change the decree. What he did do under the circumstances was to issue a counter decree which made it possible for the Jews to defend themselves against the attempt that was to be made to destroy them. Their defense plan resulted in the destruction of their enemies, and over this there was great rejoicing. Then Mordecai directed that thereafter these days of victory should be commemorated.

We are not to look back to this record of the slaying of enemies as an illustration of what spiritual Israel should do. We who are begotten of God’s Holy Spirit are to love our enemies and to do good to those who hate us and despitefully use us. We are to bless and injure not. It is well to remember that at the time of Esther, the Lord had not revealed his love as he has done since.

And it is well also to remember that during that age certain typical lessons were being taught, one of them being the great truth of the divine plan that ultimately all the enemies of God, of his people, and of righteousness, are to be destroyed; also that a time is coming when the rebuke of his people shall be taken away from all the earth.

In the antitype of these pictures, however, there will never be any question as to the incorrigibility of those whom the Lord will destroy. That is one very good reason we should not now attempt revenge upon those who may despitefully use us—that is, we cannot read their hearts, hence cannot be sure that their actions are willful and not induced either by their own imperfections or by outside influences.

When we note God’s providential care over his typical people, it should increase our faith and trust in his care over us now. He dealt with them more particularly along natural and material lines, but his care for us has to do more especially with matters pertaining to our interests as new creatures in Christ Jesus. He may permit afflictions along material lines, yet overrule these for our highest good as new creatures.

The Apostle Paul explains, as a matter of fact, that it is God’s arrangement to perfect his house of sons through suffering. (Heb. 2:10) And it is only those who endure faithfully to the end of the way who will receive the crown of life.

QUESTIONS:

Name the principal characters in this lesson.

Why were Jews still remaining in the empire at the time of Esther?

What is the chief qualification of those whom God can use in his service?

Are we to follow the example of the Jews in destroying our enemies?

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