Thoughts on the Book of Esther

Did you know that God is not mentioned at all in the book of Esther?

His hand is clearly all over the situation, but His name is never mentioned. I find that fascinating.

I have always liked the book of Esther because it has a happy ending for the good guys and the wicked get punished. But as I read through it this time more slowly than usual, I noticed some things I had never noticed before. 

Esther 1:9  Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus. 

Vashti was also hosting a party. She refused her husband in front of not just all of his guests, but all of hers. This could be why they were so concerned that her disobedience would spread to all the women of the realm. If their queen doesn't have to obey the king, why should they obey their own husbands? I liked what Matthew Henry said on the subject of her quite harsh punishment:

"Strifes between yoke-fellows are bad enough at any time, but before company they are very scandalous, and occasion blushing and uneasiness. . . .Had this unhappy falling out between the king and his wife, wherein she was conqueror, been private, the error would have remained with themselves and the quarrel might have been settled privately between themselves; but it happening to be public, and perhaps the ladies that were now feasting with the queen having shown themselves pleased with her refusal, her bad example would be likely to have a bad influence upon all the families of the kingdom."

I had always though that Vashti was just hanging out in her chambers or perhaps already asleep when she was called for, but I learned that was not the case.

Another thing I learned was that Mordecai's faith was stronger than I realized.

The story of Esther is pretty familiar. I thought I knew it pretty well.

Haman has the king duped into condemning all the Jews to death. Mordecai comes before the king's gate in mourning and Esther sends to know why. He tells her the plight of their people and asks her to go before the king and intercede for them. She says she can't because nobody can go before the king unless they are called for or they will kill her and she hasn't been called for in a month. Mordecai tells her that even if that is the case she very well may have been made Queen "for such a time as this." She's their only hope. She has to at least try or they are doomed.

But that's not exactly how it went.

Esther 4:13-14  Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews. For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? (emphasis mine)

Mordecai wanted Esther to be used of God to save her people. But his faith wasn't in her. She was not his only hope. He knew that if she wouldn't save them, God would find another way.

How often do we put our faith in the wrong thing? We trust our husband, or our parents, or our pastor to do the right thing and put all our faith in their walk with God to lead us correctly. But people mess up. Even godly people fall sometimes. And then we are left disillusioned by Christianity when all along we had our faith in the wrong thing. Only God is perfect. Only He can promise to never fail us. We need to make sure our faith is in the right thing.

I love reading the Bible through at this leisurely pace! I have more time to dwell on what I'm reading and make sure I am digesting every word and phrase. Why don't you join me? We're starting I Peter tomorrow!

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Have you been reading Esther? What did you learn? I would love to hear from you!