Bible Passage: Esther 10
Scripture:
All of his powerful and magnificent accomplishments and the detailed account of Mordecai’s great rank with which the king had honored him, have they not been written in the Book of the Historical Events of the Kings of Media and Persia? Mordecai the Jew was second only to King Ahasuerus. He was famous among the Jews and highly esteemed by many of his relatives. He continued to pursue prosperity for his people and to speak for the well-being of all his descendants. (Esther 10:2-3 CSB)
Observation:
All the great and wonderful things he did, as well as the whole story of how he promoted Mordecai to high office, are recorded in the official records of the kings of Persia and Media. Mordecai the Jew was second in rank only to King Xerxes himself. He was honored and well-liked by his fellow Jews. He worked for the good of his people and for the security of all their descendants. (Esther 10:2-3 GNT)
1. The Book of Esther shows how the hand of God can move in a supernaturally-natural way.
a. “It has been well said that the Book of Esther is a record of wonders without a miracle, and therefore, though equally revealing the glory of the Lord, it sets it forth in another fashion from that which is displayed in the overthrow of Pharaoh by miraculous power.” (Spurgeon)
b. Think of all that God arranged in the story of Esther:
· God arranged for the noble Queen Vashti to lose her place.
· God arranged for a competition to replace Queen Vashti.
· God arranged for Esther to enter the competition.
· God arranged special favor for Esther among the other women.
· God arranged for Mordecai to have access to both Esther and the affairs of the kingdom.
· God arranged the lot that was cast to give 11 months warning before the planned massacre (Esther 3:12-13).
· God arranged that the decree command that the Jews be killed by private hands, instead of by the army of Persia – which would have been much more difficult to stop.
· God arranged that Haman restrain his anger and not kill Mordecai immediately (Esther 5:10).
· God arranged for Esther to delay her request; first asking for a banquet with the king and then another banquet.
· God arranged for Haman’s anger to come to a peak on one particular day.
· God arranged for Ahasuerus to have a sleepless night.
· God arranged for Ahasuerus to send for a certain book during his sleepless night.
· God arranged for Ahasuerus to listen to the passage about Mordecai in that particular book.
2. God’s hand in history never rules out our actions. The actions of Esther and Mordecai were critical to the preservation of the people of God.
a. God’s will is accomplished, and yet men are perfectly free agents; Haman did as he pleased, Ahasuerus did what he wanted, so did Mordecai and Esther. We see no interference, no coercion – they all do their will, and bear full responsibility, yet God works out His eternal plan for the ages through it all.
b. “There it is; man is a free agent in what he does, responsible for his actions, and verily guilty when he does wrong, and he will be justly punished too, and if he be lost the blame will rest with himself alone: but yet there is One who ruleth over all, who, without complicity in their sin, makes even the actions of wicked men to subserve his holy and righteous purposes. Believe these two truths and you will see them in practical agreement in daily life, though you will not be able to devise a theory for harmonising them on paper.” (Spurgeon)
Application:
God already orchestrated all things to happen according to His will and plan. Yet, God's sovereignty does not limit people to follow their own will since they still have the freedom to go against the will of God. That's when God's authority be tested in our individual lives if we let Him take the wheel and lead us the way, trusting and believing that God knows the right way.
Personally, time and time again God has proven to me that He is still in control despite the circumstances around me and the struggles within are beyond my control. During these moments, I'm deeply reminded that God has the better way - His ways are higher than my ways. God is smarter than me - His thoughts are greater than my thoughts.
Prayer:
Almighty God, You are mighty, awesome and glorious! There is no one like You. You are good, faithful and loving Father. Your love is constant and lasts until eternity. Help me, O God, to be always reminded of Your truth and Your love, to let not the lies of the enemy deceive my thoughts and to let not fear reigns my heart. I'm weak, O God, but You are strong. My feelings change but Your love remains. Teach me, O Lord, to delight in Your word and show love to others even if it may seem unreciprocated but let Your unconditional love motivate me to not give up on loving others as You do for me. Since I accepted You as My Truth and My Love, then doing Your Will became My Strength and My Joy for the glory of Your Mighty and Precious Name - JESUS CHRIST.
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