God is not mentioned in the Book of Esther, but Mordecai’s words, "relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place" (Esther 4:14), suggest that God was in full control.
Mordecai, Esther’s uncle, was wise enough to tell her not to disclose that she was a Jew, and Esther continued to follow his instructions as she had done as a child. When Mordecai found out about a plot about King Xerxes to kill him, he told Esther and she gave the credit to Mordecai when she reported back to the king. Esther found favour with the king, but would not return to him, unless he summoned her. No doubt she remembered what had happened when Vashti had refused to go to the king when he summoned her.
When Haman was given a high position in the king’s court, Mordecai would not bow down to him. Having found out that Mordecai was a Jew, Haman wanted to kill him and all the Jews, which included Esther. Mordecai asked Esther to help by begging for mercy for the Jews, but she reminded him that anyone who went to the king without being summoned would be put to death "unless the king extends the gold sceptre to them" (4:11).
Mordecai replied: "Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?" (4:13-14).
Mordecai had seen that it was God’s purpose that Esther should be in the king’s house and be the means of saving the Jews. But how brave she was in a very difficult situation. She sent a reply back to her uncle Mordecai, "I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish" (4:16).
Esther risked her life and went to the king. She found favour with him and consequently saved the Jews from destruction. So justice was done in accordance with God’s will and purpose.
Hazel Cox
Photo: Gener8Xion Entertainment