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“For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14, ESV)

“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4, ESV)

Pastor Steve's sermon from this week is titled, “Hope For Today”.

The book of Esther takes places ‘in the days of Ahasuerus,’ otherwise known as Xerxes the Great. It is a remarkable story for many reasons, but one reason stands out to me: the word ‘God’ never appears anywhere in the book. This is a striking detail indeed for a book that is included in the biblical canon.

It is a story of Israel in exile. Their kingdom was conquered, and they were taken away in captivity to serve another nation who did not fear God. Unlike the days of David and Solomon, God was largely silent, and his people were forced to obey their pagan masters.

And yet, throughout the book, the theme of God’s providence runs strong. The book recounts the story of a plot to wipe out all the Jews, and how one Hebrew woman was able to win the favor of the pagan king so as to uncover the plot in time to save her people. In Esther chapter 4 verses 14, Mordecai a relative of Esther, councils her that she must take a stand for her people before the king. And his words hint at the larger plan of God when he asks: “And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

In our day we face challenges similar to those in Esther’s time. The world does not love God. There is war, political scandal, fear, and the noise of the world is everywhere. However, we still have hope in the providence of God. We know that he is always at work. This truth gives us hope and emboldens our hearts to live in a way that honors Christ, as it did for Esther and Mordecai.

 

For Further Study

  • Read the book of Esther. Have you ever felt that God was quiet in your life?
  • How does the story of Esther give us hope for the future?
  • Article: “The Babylonian Captivity” by Barry Cooper