A few remarks by the translator may be permissible, while reflecting that the foregoing ministry on this delightful little volume of Esther was given nearly one hundred years ago.
Many world events have taken place since that time in which that remarkable remnant of the Jews have played a most prominent part. The great Adversary is still at work raising havoc with them as though he might still frustrate God’s plans. One is reminded of the pogroms, the exterminations in Europe, the constant harassment of those returned. to Israel’s land. It may be difficult to reconcile the severe judgments God allows to come upon the “sons of the dispersion” while at the same time His eye is ever upon them for good.
Most surely His government, as it was in Egypt upon the Hebrews, takes its course because of their voices raised before Pilate: “His blood be on us, and on oar children.” Matt. 27:2525Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. (Matthew 27:25). But then again, “The gifts and calling of God are without repentance” and He always preserves to Himself a remnant. “There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob.” Rom. 11:2626And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: (Romans 11:26).
Marvel of marvels, before long a number of them will seep forward and continue the “message of the kingdom,” interrupted when the sign was fastened to the cross above His head: “Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews.” This message will be resumed and will go out to all the world which is left after God’s judgment on those nations who have heard the gospel and rejected Him has taken place.
Alignments for the last great conflicts have become more apparent since two great world wars left mighty geographical changes in their wake. Also “increased knowledge” has allowed the gospel message to go out far and wide by heretofore unknown means. The Christian’s lethargy and unfaithfulness have not prevented a merciful God from allowing unusual means for the propagation of His glad tidings.
A most remarkable spectacle meanwhile runs its course in the so-called “Holy Land.” For nearly forty years a returned company of Judah’s sons from every part of the earth has struggled incessantly to possess, to hang onto and to hold the little piece of earth they have sought to appropriate as their own, but has had no peace, only wars and troubles. Why? Because they sought it not by faith and so it must all come to nought, until the Lord their God brings them back. “For, lo, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will bring again the captivity of My people Israel and Judah, saith the Lord: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it . . . . Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the Lord; neither be dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be in rest, and be quiet, and none shall make him, afraid.” Jer. 30:3,103For, lo, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the Lord: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it. (Jeremiah 30:3)
10Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the Lord; neither be dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be in rest, and be quiet, and none shall make him afraid. (Jeremiah 30:10). Again: “Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee. Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel.” Jer. 31:3,43The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. 4Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel: thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, and shalt go forth in the dances of them that make merry. (Jeremiah 31:3‑4).
Our story began with Vashti, the Gentile queen, set aside, who answers well to the Gentile bride of Christ in her Laodicean state. On earth, she has failed as a testimony for Him and is dismissed as nauseous to Him. But as to the true Church, redeemed and bought by His precious blood, she shall never come into condemnation, but also is no longer seen as a witness on earth. She is now a heavenly company, His bride — a mystery which was never before revealed, said to be “the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to His saints: to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among, the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Col. 1:26,2726Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: (Colossians 1:26‑27). A blessed hope indeed! God “gave Him to be the head over all things to the Church, which is His body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all.” Eph. 1:22,2322And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (Ephesians 1:22‑23). Hallelujah. “The Lord shall count, when He writeth up the people, that this man was born there.” Psa. 87
J.W. Roossinck