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September 24th
The Bible reading today is in Esther chapters 6-10.
When I read through the book of Esther, I certainly see Godly character (flawed, yes), but overall I see the righteous character of God in the life of Mordecai and his younger cousin, Esther.
For instance, Mordecai took responsibility for raising and caring for his orphaned cousin. He not only knew what God was expecting of him, He was determined to do it by God’s strength.
In Esther, I see a Godly truthfulness and courageousness that came forth for the benefit of others, even when it meant her own hurt. Yes, I see God’s righteousness in and through their lives, especially when the pressure was on.
As I read through the book of Esther, I see that it is more than a moral tale of how we must stand tall and firm in the midst of difficult circumstances. I see the foreshadowing of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
I see our need to totally depend on Jesus...“the intercessor/mediator", that Esther pictured in small measure, who stood in the gap for those who desperately needed saving like you and me.
Jesus our perfect intermediator. Our perfect intercessor who hung on a cross in our place, between heaven and hell, between righteousness and sinfulness, between judgment and mercy. He took hell and gave us heaven. He took our sinfulness and gave us His righteousness. He took our judgment and gave us God’s merciful salvation.
Yes, Esther played the intercessor for the Jewish people of her day. But Jesus, You are always better. Thank You!
There is one more thing that captures my attention in our reading of Esther chapters 1-10...God’s complete sovereignty over the affairs of life.
Hammon was a key figure in the court of Persian King, Ahasuerus. Hammon hated Mordecai and the nation of Israel. Hammon was out to hang Mordecai and totally destroy and annihilate the Jewish people across the world. Hammon persuaded the king to command his armies to make preparation for the murderous attacks on Jewish men, women, and children.
The slaughter was coming. Fear and panic seized the Jewish nation.
Was God wringing His hands in worry? No!!!
Did it cross His mind that the annihilation of his people would interfere with the lineage of the promised coming of the Messiah Jesus? No!!
Why not? Was it because He was counting on coincidence? Such as...A Jewess named Esther was chosen by the Persian king to be his queen...and it would be her Godly appeal to the king that would correspondingly save her cousin from the gallows and her Jewish countrymen from the bloody sword.
Was all of that just a coincidence? Did the planets just align themselves perfectly for all that to happen? No and No!
God Himself ordained and carried out everything that we read in Esther.
Why do I see it that way? Let’s listen to Solomon teaching his children and grandchildren...“The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.”
