In conclusion, let us retrace once more some of the circumstances which manifest in a most evident manner the hidden God whose name is not once mentioned in this book, but whose workings in the course of all the events are most striking.
The royal festival is disturbed by the haughty refusal of Vashti to comply with the king’s command. It is an incomprehensible refusal, because she ignored the disgrace to which she exposed herself. This incident brought on a change of immense importance—the Gentile queen is disgraced and superseded by a Jewish queen. It becomes the means of salvation for the Jews. It also is the origin of the eminent place the Jew is going to occupy before the king. The beauty of Esther and the graciousness God bestowed upon her, gained her the hearts and made her find favor in the eyes of the king.
Mordecai is introduced, we know not by what human means as one of the subordinate officers at the king’s gate. God has placed him there in view of accomplishing His counsels. An obscure servant, unnoticed, but faithful, he is within reach to discover the plot framed against the life of Ahasuerus, who came to know it by Esther’s intervention. Her elevation and the place Mordecai occupies, work together for the saving of the king.
Another remarkable circumstance is that Haman casts lots to know which month and day the Jew’s massacre was to take place. But, “the lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.” Prov. 16:3333The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. (Proverbs 16:33). He cast his lot on the first month and it falls on the twelfth month. For Haman, the act is a superstitious one, but God, unknown to Haman, directs things in such a manner that eleven months intervene for the events which bring on the Jews’ deliverance.
Finally the fact that Haman is not content with taking the life of Mordecai alone, but would do away with all the Jewish people, only served to display in a most brilliant manner the marvelous ways of the wisdom of God, who so intervened also in delivering Daniel from the lion’s den, and his three friends from the fiery furnace. He delivers an entire people without showing Himself, so to speak, but all the more admirably because of this.
Who gives or withholds sleep? It is God; for “on that night could not the king sleep.” chap. 6:1. One might have thought to look for natural causes for this insomnia, but the real reason was much higher than this. God wanted hidden things to come to light this certain night, to bring to pass things which must come. He would have the good which had been forgotten to be manifested so that the evil which was being forged would also be brought into daylight, so He took away the sleep from the king’s eyes. The memoirs which characterized a reign were written with the Persians as with Israel (2 Sam. 8:1616And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder; (2 Samuel 8:16), marg.), as chronicles. The plot directed against Ahasuerus and discovered by Mordecai was inscribed in the “book of records of the chronicles” of the reign of Ahasuerus.
That very night when sleep fled from the eyes of the king, they read to him a portion of this book, and it was precisely that which told of the plot. Who led the king to choose that book of annals in preference to any other and who led the reader to read that exact portion? Moreover, it is the night between the two days of Esther’s banquet prepared for him and his favorite. Who led all these circumstances which prepared the way for Haman’s fall and the elevation of Mordecai? Do we not see in it all the hand of God?
This very morning Haman had made himself available in the court of the palace. It certainly was not to honor the king. His purpose in being there at an early hour was the desire to satisfy the full extent of his hatred against Mordecai himself, while awaiting the massacre of all his people. The gallows of torment had been erected and Haman did not doubt that the king would grant him his request. He came “to speak unto the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him.” chap. 6:4. It would be well, he no doubt thought, to give to the king some plausible reason, and he assumed that the king would care little for the life of one miserable Jew, for he would be embarrassed to admit that which was the real obstacle to his joy.
But that very night, that preceded the morning when Haman would come to solicit permission to put Mordecai to death, that night sleep had fled from the king’s eyes. Ahasuerus had realized that nothing had been done to reward Mordecai, his saviour. And now it is Haman, come this morning, he, raised above all the princes, who must proclaim the honor which the king bestows on the man so detested by Haman. Do not all these circumstances show us the wise and sure hand of God who without haste, by apparently insignificant happenings, leads everything to His own ends?
One more word. What made the king leave the banquet for only a moment, but just long enough for a terrified Haman to fall upon Esther’s couch, appearing as if he would yet add to his other crimes by doing violence to her? This definitely was the seal to his death sentence.
Yes, rather than being hidden, we see throughout this book, God working in a providential way with regard to His people whom He guards carefully though all and in spite of all that which conspires against them. We see God in the feelings and conduct of His afflicted ones whom He delivers. We see Him also in figure, in a marvelous way undertaking for the sufferings and deliverance of the remnant. Here we have also seen what are like the shadows of that glorious Person upon whom the Holy Spirit delights to dwell. This short little volume has furnished us with lessons of exhortation and encouragement.
Wherefore, may we not neglect any portion of the Holy Scripture which is all divinely inspired, and which is “able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus . . . . And is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Tim. 3:15-1715And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:15‑17). Let us study them in their entirety, or we shall not be able to lay hold on God’s plan throughout, all details fitting together into one unique design, to the end “that in the dispensation of the fulness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him.” Eph. 1:1010That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: (Ephesians 1:10). Lastly, but not least, let us always study with prayer, for God alone can give us spiritual intelligence and true discernment.
Translated from the French as it appeared in “Messager Evangelic” 1896. Author unknown.