It was one of the most hopelessly, awful situations imaginable. A law had been passed legalizing the slaughter of all Jews in King Ahasuerus’ dominion. But God, though not named or publicly acknowledged, raised up Mordecai and Esther to preserve His people, while causing the wicked instigator Haman and his house to be destroyed.
God’s wonderful deliverance, however, contains a critically important warning for Christians living in this “present evil world.” Though Haman’s power was gone (as he hung dead on the very gallows he had built for Mordecai), the king’s decree of extermination of the Jews could not be changed (see Esther 8:8). What was to be done? How were the beloved people of God so loved by Esther (ch. 8:6) to be saved from such awful, impending doom?
The lessons contained in this beautiful, inspiring account are rich, full of profit, wisdom and guidance for those who desire to be helpers and shepherds (see Phil. 2:20) of God’s beloved people today.
The Problem
Christian marriages, families and homes, as well as assemblies, are under seemingly unprecedented attack by Satan. His purpose is to destroy, though he who held the power of death has been annulled by the glorious work of our Saviour at Calvary. We “who through fear of death were all [our] lifetime subject to bondage” have been set free (Heb. 2:15).
Believers’ testimonies and joy in the Lord are special objects of the enemy’s constant attack. We are eternally safe (John 10:28-29), but the world, the flesh and the devil are always working to get the child of God to disregard or disobey His Word. May God grant to each one of us the spirit of Esther, that we might, in love, help and support one another in such dark, “perilous times.”
The Pattern
Let’s consider seven things that Esther did, which give guidance for those who, like Timothy, genuinely care for how the people of God get on (see Esther 8).
(1) She obeyed Mordecai’s instructions and wisdom. Do we have a desire to help and preserve ourselves and our brethren, so loved by Christ yet so attacked by Satan? We must walk in obedience to His precious Word, for that is the only way to become a “preserver-deliverer” of God’s beloved people.
(2) After pleading for her and her people’s lives (resulting in the destruction of Haman), Esther again fell at the feet of the king. It was her only place of refuge and help. Are we often before the “throne of grace” (Heb. 4:16) on behalf of our brethren, confident in His love? It is there we receive “mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
(3) Esther felt deeply the dangerous situation of her beloved people. (She “besought him with tears”; chapter 8:3.) Do the sorrows, difficulties and plight of our brethren truly affect our hearts and feelings?
(4) She made her request according to the will of the king. (“If it please the king”; verse 5.) Do we plead according to the will of God, or do we rather make demands of Him according to our own will?
(5) She recognized the importance of her place of favor by grace. (“If I have found favor in his sight”; verse 5.) Do we walk in the sense of our place of favor before God a sense of His grace shown us as sons and heirs, “blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ”?
(6) Queen Esther fully submitted to the wisdom of the king. (“And the thing seem right before the king”; verse 5.) When seeking to help our brethren, do we act according to the wisdom of the Word of God or according to our own thoughts and wisdom? (Remember how high His thoughts and ways are above ours; Isaiah 55:9.)
(7) Lastly, she recognized her actions made a great difference in the answer to her request. (“And I be pleasing in his eyes”; verse 5.) Do we realize the importance of walking to please God individually that our prayers not be hindered? The fervent prayer of the righteous man (“practical,” not “positional,” righteousness) has “much power” (James 5:16 JND).
May we brethren, parents, grandparents, spiritual fathers and mothers, shepherds willingly follow Esther’s example of love (and Timothy’s, too) that those precious to Christ be preserved from the enemy’s destruction. Oh! that we may learn to value true prayer and fasting in a day of spiritual lethargy!
The Plea What a beautiful spirit of love Esther displays: “How can I endure to see the evil... [of] my people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?” (ch. 8:6). God’s people were her people. Are God’s people our people (in heart-love for them)?
Her faith and love are rewarded by the king: “Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you [prayer], in the king’s name [authority], and seal it with the king’s ring [assurance]” What a rich answer to Esther’s desire (ch. 8:8)! What are we willing to pray for (to write) on behalf of our beloved brethren in Christ—all our beloved brethren? Do we pray for each others’ blessing? Paul did. “For this cause we also... do not cease to pray for you” (Col. 1:9).
Though the original law allowing for the destruction of the Jews could not be changed nor repealed, a new law (grace) could be written giving liberty for the Jews to stand together to defend themselves (Esther 8:11)! What do we write for the people of God today? “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17).
The Promise Mordecai, preserver of the people of God, “wrote in the King Ahasuerus’ name, and sealed it with the king’s ring... wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life” (ch. 8:10-11), providing deliverance to all the Jews, “both little ones and women” (the innocent and the dependent).
But, though there was now available a way to be preserved from those who would have mercilessly destroyed them, the Jews also had to do something. They had to make the effort to defend themselves. It wasn’t enough to know what was written; they must desire to act on the new law in faith and energy!
We have been indwelt by the Spirit of God (Rom. 8:11) and been given the whole armor of God to “withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Eph. 6:13). The Spirit is the power of the new life in Christ enabling us to “resist the devil” that he “flee from you” (James 4:7). Are we diligently using these divine provisions and praying for our brethren that they will use them too, that the body of Christ might be protected and preserved from the enemy’s attacks?
The Preservation
In Esther 8:11 The Jews were given the authority to defend themselves. Though the world, the flesh and the devil are warring against believers, God, through His unchangeable Word, grants us liberty and power to defend ourselves by “standing” against these foes.
How strange, how unthinkable, if the Jews, knowing they had the right to defend themselves, had refused to expend the energy to do so. Is it not all too often so with us believers? We know that God’s divine “power [has] given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3) and we are assured that we “can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth” us (Phil. 4:13). But do we put these things to daily, practical use in our lives for our preservation and for those we love?
In Esther 9:16 the “Jews... gathered themselves together, and stood for their lives, and had rest from their enemies.” There was a mighty victory over the enemy because they believed and acted on the king’s word. Should not believers today stand and act on the Word of God, praying for all those who belong to Christ? Every divine provision is ours! Are we using them? Where are the “Esthers” and the “Timothys,” willing to stand to bring rest for others?
Ed.