God's Providence

Introduction

Esther 4:13-17 “13 Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not imagine that you in the king’s palace can escape any more than all the Jews. 14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?” 15 Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, 16 “Go, assemble all the Jews who are found in Susa, and fast for me; do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maidens also will fast in the same way. And thus I will go in to the king, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish.” 17 So Mordecai went away and did just as Esther had commanded him.”

Esther reveals that God’s providence is at work behind the scenes within human affairs for his people.

God’s providence is at work...

providence — “the protective care of God; physical, emotion, spiritual, financial, etc)”

does not mean that hardship and pain will never come, but that within these God is still working for both His good and the good of His people

...behind the scenes...

God is not explicitly mentioned in the book of Esther

Jews—Israel—are God’s people

Fasting (faith)

...within human affairs...

God raises up a faithful influence within secular nation / government

Haman—

conned Xerxes into ordering Israel’s destruction

attempts to elevate himself within Persian kingdom

build wooden pike or spike (gallows in Bible) to display Mordecai’s body

Xerxes—

married Jewish woman who was at the right place / right time

Mordecai—

simple Jewish man from Benjamin raising a niece

...for His people

Israel’s oppressors became Israel’s victims

Xerxes’ order could not be revoked, so he allowed Esther to draft a new one that “trumped” the first. The result: rather than Israel being destroyed, they destroyed their enemies.

Haman’s wooden spike—meant for Mordecai—hosted his own body. His sons also were hung in similar fashion.

The day of destruction—conceived by Haman throwing the pur—turned into a national holiday called the Feast of Purim, and is still celebrated today.

Esther and Mordecai ended up being exalted, while Haman died in shame.

Conclusion

Esther reveals that God’s providence is at work behind the scenes within human affairs for his people.