When God Seems Absent

Esther 1:1-22

Introduction

The “Wrong” Turn That Saved a Life — 9/11

There are numerous documented stories from September 11, 2001, of people who ordinarily would have been at the World Trade Center but, because of seemingly ordinary circumstances—a delayed train, a sick child, an appointment, traffic, or another interruption—were not there when the attacks occurred.

I would not frame those events as “God caused the delay so this person would live,” because Scripture doesn't give us the ability to interpret providence that specifically.

But the illustration makes a powerful point:

What feels like an interruption when we're living through it may look entirely different when viewed later.

That fits Esther 1:

Nobody knew that the removal of Vashti would matter. It looked like palace drama. But God was setting the stage for events no one could yet see.

Then ask:

“Have you ever been aggravated by something that didn't work out—only later to be thankful that it didn't?”

You'll probably get participation from that question.

Joseph is another prime example where see that God is at work when we do not understand the course of action.

Although not a modern story, Joseph may be the best biblical companion to Esther.

Imagine stopping Joseph's story at different chapters.

Genesis 37: Joseph is thrown into a pit.

“Where is God?”

Genesis 39: Joseph does the right thing and gets falsely accused.

“Where is God?”

Then he goes to prison.

“Where is God?”

Genesis 40: Joseph helps Pharaoh's cupbearer, asks him to remember him—and the man forgets him.

“Where is God?”

But then Genesis 41 arrives.

Pharaoh has a dream.

The cupbearer suddenly remembers Joseph.

Joseph is brought from the prison to the palace.

And eventually Joseph can look backward and say:

“But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good…” —Genesis 50:20

There's a tremendous connection:

Joseph couldn't see the palace from the pit. Esther couldn't see deliverance from the banquet.

But God could see both.

You could tell your congregation:

We have the advantage of reading Joseph's last chapter while Joseph was living through the middle chapters. And we have the advantage of reading Esther 10 while Esther is living through Esther 1.

The problem is that tonight, you and I are living somewhere in the middle of our story.

That will connect.

-Tonight and on these Wednesday nights we begin a story of Jewish orphan woman who was raised by her uncle Mordecai and she fulfilled a role in delivering God’s people, the Jews from the murderous plan of Ham in the Persian empire during the reign of Xerxes. Note: King Ahasuerus is the same person as Xerxes 1. Ahasuerus is the Hebrew/Babylonian name and Xerxes is the Greek name. He reigned from 485-465 BC.

He was over 127 providences from India to Ethiopia.

In the OT-the story of Esther resembles the stories of Ruth or Deborah, two women whom God used to accomplish His plans.

You will note something very different about the book of Esther. God is not mentioned one time within the book. Elohim or Yahweh is not mentioned either. Nor is the word prayer mentioned in this letter.

Someone look up this verse:

Esther 4:14 “14 For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?””

Again, God is not named, but divine providence hangs over the entire statement.

Fasting Strongly Implies Seeking God

Esther 4:16 “16 “Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!””

So, as we study these text over the next Wednesday nights, think in terms that in a Godless society, God always has a remnant. And....you may just be the Esther that God is calling for “such a time is this.”

This is a story where morality is not dictated in the majority of the people in the story. These series of events are around drunk fests and we must navigate as His children morality and allow the Holy Spirit to strike our chords of response when things do not align with His Word and His ways. God can use those moments to draw people to God “when we are used for such a times as this.”

Read:

1. A World That Flaunts Its Glory — vv. 1–9

Have someone read Esther 1:1–9.

Esther 1:1–9 NKJV

1 Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus (this was the Ahasuerus who reigned over one hundred and twenty-seven provinces, from India to Ethiopia), 2 in those days when King Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the citadel, 3 that in the third year of his reign he made a feast for all his officials and servants—the powers of Persia and Media, the nobles, and the princes of the provinces being before him—4 when he showed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the splendor of his excellent majesty for many days, one hundred and eighty days in all. 5 And when these days were completed, the king made a feast lasting seven days for all the people who were present in Shushan the citadel, from great to small, in the court of the garden of the king’s palace. 6 There were white and blue linen curtains fastened with cords of fine linen and purple on silver rods and marble pillars; and the couches were of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of alabaster, turquoise, and white and black marble. 7 And they served drinks in golden vessels, each vessel being different from the other, with royal wine in abundance, according to the generosity of the king. 8 In accordance with the law, the drinking was not compulsory; for so the king had ordered all the officers of his household, that they should do according to each man’s pleasure. 9 Queen Vashti also made a feast for the women in the royal palace which belonged to King Ahasuerus.

Ask:

As you listen to these verses, what seems to matter most in Ahasuerus’ world?

Let them identify wealth, power, appearance, position, pleasure, impressing others.

Then emphasize the irony: the king spends 180 days showing everybody how great he is. Verse 4 practically piles up the vocabulary: riches… glorious kingdom… splendor… excellent majesty.

Yet Scripture introduces us to a man who controls an enormous empire but apparently desperately needs people to be impressed by him.

A useful cross-reference is 1 John 2:16:

1 John 2:16 “16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.”

That sounds remarkably like Esther 1.

Application question: What are some modern ways we are tempted to ‘display our glory’ to other people?

That could produce answers about homes, vehicles, clothes, social media, careers, vacations, even our children and accomplishments.

Truth: When God is removed from the center, something else will always take His place.

2. A King Who Cannot Govern Himself — vv. 10–12

Have someone read:

Esther 1:10–12 NKJV

10 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, seven eunuchs who served in the presence of King Ahasuerus, 11 to bring Queen Vashti before the king, wearing her royal crown, in order to show her beauty to the people and the officials, for she was beautiful to behold. 12 But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s command brought by his eunuchs; therefore the king was furious, and his anger burned within him.

Here is one of the great ironies of the chapter:

Ahasuerus can rule 127 provinces, but he cannot rule Ahasuerus.

He cannot govern his drinking. He cannot govern his pride. And after Vashti refuses him, he cannot govern his temper:

“Therefore the king was furious, and his anger burned within him.” — v. 12

That gives you Proverbs 16:32:

Proverbs 16:32 “32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.”

That verse almost sounds written for Xerxes!

He has taken cities. God says the greater conquest is conquering yourself.

You could ask:

Which requires more spiritual maturity—having authority over others or having control over yourself?

Then move into Galatians 5:22–23 and the fruit of the Spirit:

Galatians 5:22–23 “22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”

-Ill. Got a call from my grandson Hammy yesterday about an incident at School. I was very proud of him. He controlled his temper.

self-control.

In godless times, Christians distinguish themselves not merely by what they say they believe, but by who controls their lives.

3. A Culture With a Distorted View of People and Relationships — vv. 13–22

Have someone read:

Esther 1:13–22 NKJV

13 Then the king said to the wise men who understood the times (for this was the king’s manner toward all who knew law and justice, 14 those closest to him being Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, who had access to the king’s presence, and who ranked highest in the kingdom): 15 “What shall we do to Queen Vashti, according to law, because she did not obey the command of King Ahasuerus brought to her by the eunuchs?” 16 And Memucan answered before the king and the princes: “Queen Vashti has not only wronged the king, but also all the princes, and all the people who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus. 17 For the queen’s behavior will become known to all women, so that they will despise their husbands in their eyes, when they report, ‘King Ahasuerus commanded Queen Vashti to be brought in before him, but she did not come.’ 18 This very day the noble ladies of Persia and Media will say to all the king’s officials that they have heard of the behavior of the queen. Thus there will be excessive contempt and wrath. 19 If it pleases the king, let a royal decree go out from him, and let it be recorded in the laws of the Persians and the Medes, so that it will not be altered, that Vashti shall come no more before King Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal position to another who is better than she. 20 When the king’s decree which he will make is proclaimed throughout all his empire (for it is great), all wives will honor their husbands, both great and small.” 21 And the reply pleased the king and the princes, and the king did according to the word of Memucan. 22 Then he sent letters to all the king’s provinces, to each province in its own script, and to every people in their own language, that each man should be master in his own house, and speak in the language of his own people.

Ahasuerus has already treated Vashti as another possession to display. Then Memucan takes their conflict and turns it into an empire-wide issue.

Ask:

What do you see wrong with the way relationships are being handled in these verses?

Let them discover it.

You can probably pull out:

Vashti is objectified.

The king reacts from wounded pride.

His counselors feed his anger.

Nobody appears interested in reconciliation.

Fear becomes the basis for marriage.

Authority becomes control.

An impulsive domestic conflict becomes government policy.

Esther 2:1 “1 After these things, when the wrath of King Ahasuerus subsided, he remembered Vashti, what she had done, and what had been decreed against her.”

Then contrast Esther 1:20–22 with Ephesians 5:25:

Esther 1:20–22 “20 When the king’s decree which he will make is proclaimed throughout all his empire (for it is great), all wives will honor their husbands, both great and small.” 21 And the reply pleased the king and the princes, and the king did according to the word of Memucan. 22 Then he sent letters to all the king’s provinces, to each province in its own script, and to every people in their own language, that each man should be master in his own house, and speak in the language of his own people.”

Ephesians 5:25 “25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,”

Persia says, essentially, “Make her respect you.”

Christ says, “Give yourself for her.”

There is your biblical-worldview contrast.

Control asks, How can I make you do what I want? Christlike love asks, How can I give myself for your good?

4. A God Who Is Quietly Setting the Stage — vv. 19–22

Esther 1:19–22 “19 If it pleases the king, let a royal decree go out from him, and let it be recorded in the laws of the Persians and the Medes, so that it will not be altered, that Vashti shall come no more before King Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal position to another who is better than she. 20 When the king’s decree which he will make is proclaimed throughout all his empire (for it is great), all wives will honor their husbands, both great and small.” 21 And the reply pleased the king and the princes, and the king did according to the word of Memucan. 22 Then he sent letters to all the king’s provinces, to each province in its own script, and to every people in their own language, that each man should be master in his own house, and speak in the language of his own people.”

Ask them:

If you had never read Esther before and the book ended at chapter 1, would you see anything spiritual happening?

Probably not.

There's been a party.

There's been too much drinking.

A husband and wife have had a major conflict.

The king got angry.

His advisers gave questionable advice.

The queen lost her position. The Queen has done nothing wrong other than she didn’t want to be flaunted while all of the countries’ leaders are having a drunk fest. She had dignity and modesty.

End of chapter.

Then tell them:

But heaven sees Esther 1 differently.

Because there is now an empty seat beside the king.

Now let me be honest. That strikes me funny that God has a plan and Queen Vashti is made a pawn in the story or so it seems. It is hard to to accept that, but we must accept the sovereignty of God.

Isaiah 55:8–9 — “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Truth: I don't have to understand God's ways in order to trust God's wisdom.

Romans 9:20–21 — “But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, ‘Why have you made me like this?’” Truth: God is Creator; we are His creation. There comes a point where faith bows before God's authority.

Psalm 115:3 — “But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases.” Short, direct, and powerful. God's purposes are not subject to human permission.

Job 42:2 — “I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You.” After everything Job has experienced and questioned, he arrives at surrender before God's sovereignty.

And nobody in chapter 1 has any idea how important that empty seat is going to become.

That is where your series “Sharing God in Godless Times” really begins.

God doesn't speak.

There is no miracle.

No angel appears.

No prophet says, “Thus says the LORD.”

No sea parts.

No fire falls from heaven.

God isn't even named.

And yet the entire chessboard is beginning to move.

Eventually that empty position will be occupied by Esther. Eventually Haman will plot genocide. Eventually Mordecai will say:

Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this? — Esther 4:14

“Such a time as this” actually begins in Esther 1.

Esther doesn't know it.

Mordecai doesn't know it.

Ahasuerus certainly doesn't know it.

But God does.

Ask:

What if some of the circumstances in your life that make absolutely no sense right now are actually pieces of a story that God has not finished writing?

I might follow that question with one final Scripture reading—Romans 8:28.

Romans 8:28 “28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

Then make one important clarification:

Romans 8:28 does not say everything that happens is good. Esther 1 proves that. It says God is able to work through all things for good.

There is drunkenness in Esther 1. Pride. Anger. Objectification. Poor counsel. Broken relationships.

God doesn't endorse any of it.

But neither is God defeated by any of it.

That gives you a very strong sentence with which to send them home:

Ill. Story of Mike and Debbie (Jane and I had lunch with friends from college yesterday.)-We caught up.

When you cannot see the hand of God, you can still trust the heart of God.

And perhaps an even more Esther-specific challenge:

Don't assume God is absent simply because God is silent.