The book of Esther tells the story of a Jewish girl who became a Persian Queen. The perfect Cinderella Story? Yes and No. All through this story is woven the Master Plan of God Almighty. God had orchestrated everything and allowed Esther to be the instrument to prevent the annihilation of the Jewish people.
What do we know though about Esther? Was her obedience absolutely needed in executing the Master Plan of God Almighty? Are any of us truly NEEDED by God? Or is it His Grace that allows us to share in His Glory? Afterall as we look at Esther, Mordecai, and this story; let us consider how God bestowed grace upon His children despite their moments of unfaithfulness. That is good news for you and for me.
God opened her eyes. He called her to do His will. She said yes. If she said no, He could have shared this Glorious Act with someone else. Or even do it alone, as only He can. But He chose Esther. Then, He bestowed a piece of His Glory on her at such a time as this.
What Is There In a Name?
The name Esther is not her Jewish name. In fact, Esther is the Persian name for Star and a derivative of the Goddess Ishtar (Morning Star or the Star of Venus). Mordecai is not a Jewish name either—it is Persian. The name Mordecai is a derivative of Marduk, the patron god of Babylon. Why is that important?
Well consider this also. The first edict of Cyrus that the Jews could return to Jerusalem to build their temple had come in 539 BC. The book of Esther is during the Reign of Ahasuerus also known as Xerxes I He reigned from 486 to 465 BC. That is 53 years after the decree allowing them to go to Jerusalem and they remained behind in Persia along with at least 1 million other people from the Jewish nation. Some believe his search for a new queen occurred after his defeat to the Grecian army in The Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC. So not only did they not return to Jerusalem to worship God when able to go. They also hid their identity as Jews by using and adopting Persian names. Or at least for a time.
The Master Plan of God Almighty Unfolds Regardless
Well, we see that not only were Esther and Mordecai comfortable in their life among the Persians, but they were also nonchalant about Jewish law. The law of God was clear that no woman was to marry an uncircumcised pagan.
3 Furthermore, you shall not intermarry with them: you shall not give your daughters to their sons, nor shall you take their daughters for your sons. 4 For they will turn your sons away from following Me, and they will serve other gods; then the anger of the Lord will be kindled against you, and He will quickly destroy you. Deuteronomy 7 (NASB).
Despite all of this, God will use both Esther and Mordecai to save His people. He does not always choose the most devoted nor the most faithful. Although before the story ends their hearts are transformed so they see themselves as part of the Master Plan of God Almighty. This humbles them into being servants of the living God, willing to do whatever He commands. God, Himself calls a heart into repentance and service. As they are placed in demanding situations where they must choose, they were awakened to the importance of who God IS and the magnitude of His Grace toward them and their people.
And so, the story begins.
A King, Drunken With Power, Listening to His Poor Advisers
2 “Now then, I tell you the truth: Three more kings will arise in Persia, and then a fourth, who will be far richer than all the others. When he has gained power by his wealth, he will stir up everyone against the kingdom of Greece. 3 Then a mighty king will arise, who will rule with great power and do as he pleases. Daniel 11 (NASB)
Daniel had foretold King Ahasuerus. The story began with his being in the palace holding a meeting that lasted 6 months and ending in a 7-day feast of wine, food, and festivities. It is believed that the 6-month meetings were to prepare the leaders throughout his kingdom for war. His plan was to overthrow the Greek. Albeit this later ended poorly for him. Events began that were the catalyst to the final takeover years later by Alexander the Great. However, the beginning that led to this end was initiated during the reign of King Ahasuerus. Several kings followed him before Alexander the Great took all of Persia, but they were minor and of no consequence as it was, he who started this road toward defeat.
Nearing the end of the feast he called for the queen. He wanted to place her on display. She said no. His anger boiled over. His advisors said,
Esther 1(NASB)
the queen’s conduct will become known to all the women so as to make their own husbands despicable in their sight, when they say, ‘King Ahasuerus commanded that Queen Vashti be brought in to his presence, but she did not come.’ 18 And this day the wives of the officials of Persia and Media who have heard about the queen’s conduct will talk about it to all the king’s officials, and there will be plenty of contempt and anger.
19 If it pleases the king, let a royal edict be issued by him and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media so that it cannot be repealed, that Vashti may not come into the presence of King Ahasuerus, and let the king give her royal position to another who is more worthy than she. 20 When the king’s edict which he will make is heard throughout his kingdom, great as it is, then all women will give honor to their husbands, great and small.”
21 Now this word pleased the king and the officials, and the king did as Memucan proposed. 22 So he sent letters to all the king’s provinces, to each province according to its script and to every people according to their language, that every man was to be the ruler in his own house and the one who speaks in the language of his own people.
Esther 1 (NASB)
Master Plan of God Almighty
The King having come back from losing the battle against the Greeks thought of his exiled queen. Perhaps wanting to be comforted. But he had taken her away. So, his advisers suggest he gather the most beautiful women from the land and have a major beauty contest to choose a new queen. And he did.
Among the ladies gathered was Esther. After a full year of preparation, she was selected to go into the King, and he fell in love with her. Therefore, she was crowned queen. Mordecai then heard of a plot to kill the king, reported it Esther, who told the king, and the plot was thwarted. He did not get any reward for this at the time, but it was recorded in the chronicles of the king. They did keep extensive records of such things.
Soon after this Haman, an Aggagite, rose to power with the king. The reason it is important he was an Aggagite goes back to King Sauls failure to do as God told him when conquering the Amalekites and spared the life of King Agag. Samuel then slaughtered Agag; however, ancestors of his still carried the torch against the Jews. So, the plot thickens.
Mordecai refused to bow to Haman, who became very angry. A plot was hatched to destroy all the Jews living in the area (over a million) and confiscate their possessions. This plot was presented to the king as a means of gaining money for his ambitions to overthrow the Greeks and rid himself of a “potentially dangerous group of people.”
And Now Unfolds Further the Master Plan of God
So, with all this in place. Satan certain he has placed God in check, God has the final checkmate. Afterall the King’s edict that on a certain date the Jews could all be overtaken could not be reversed even by the King once written. Then watch as the story takes a turn.
Mordecai rips his clothes and goes in sackcloth and ashes outside of the king’s gate. Esther was mortified and frightened at this display. She sends clothes to him. He refuses. Finally, he tells her why. At first, she protests due to her knowledge of the law of Persia. If she goes before the king unsummoned while he is in court, she could be put to death. Her only chance would be if he presented his golden sceptre to save her.
Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not imagine that you in the king’s palace can escape any more than all the other Jews. 14 For if you keep silent at this time, liberation and rescue will arise for the Jews from another place, and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?” Esther 4 (NASB)
What was the Queen’s Reply?
15 Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, 16 “Go, gather all the Jews who are found in Susa, and fast for me; do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants also will fast in the same way. And then I will go in to the king, which is not in accordance with the law; and if I perish, I perish.” Esther 4 (NASB)
Despite Their Former Failures, The Master Plan of God Saves Them
Now it came about on the third day that Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner courtyard of the king’s palace in front of the king’s rooms, and the king was sitting on his royal throne in the throne room, opposite the entrance to the palace. 2 When the king saw Esther the queen standing in the courtyard, she obtained favor in his sight; and the king extended to Esther the golden scepter which was in his hand. So, Esther approached and touched the top of the scepter. 3 Then the king said to her, “What is troubling you, Queen Esther? And what is your request? Up to half of the kingdom it shall be given to you.” 4 Esther said, “If it pleases the king, may the king and Haman come this day to the banquet that I have prepared for him.”
5 Then the king said, “Bring Haman quickly so that we may do as Esther desires.” So, the king and Haman came to the banquet which Esther had prepared. 6 As they drank their wine at the banquet, the king said to Esther, “What is your request, for it shall be granted to you. And what is your wish? Up to half of the kingdom it shall be done.” 7 So Esther replied, “My request and my wish is: 8 if I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my request and do what I wish, may the king and Haman come to the banquet which I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do as the king says.”
Esther 5 (NASB)
Haman’s Pride
9 Then Haman went out that day joyful and pleased of heart; but when Haman saw Mordecai at the king’s gate and that he did not stand up or tremble before him, Haman was filled with anger against Mordecai. 10 Haman controlled himself, however, and went to his house. But he sent for his friends and his wife Zeresh. 11 Then Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and his many sons, and every occasion on which the king had honored him and how he had promoted him above the officials and servants of the king. 12 Haman also said, “Even Esther the queen let no one except me come with the king to the banquet which she had prepared; and tomorrow also I am invited by her with the king. 13 Yet all of this does not satisfy me every time I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.” 14 Then Zeresh his wife and all his friends said to him, “Have a wooden gallows fifty cubits high made, and in the morning ask the king to have Mordecai hanged on it; then go joyfully with the king to the banquet.” And the advice pleased Haman, so he had the wooden gallows made.
During that night the king could not sleep, so he gave an order to bring the book of records, the chronicles, and they were read before the king. 2 And it was found written what Mordecai had reported about Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs who were doorkeepers, that they had sought to attack King Ahasuerus. 3 Then the king said, “What honor or dignity has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?” And the king’s servants who attended him said, “Nothing has been done for him.” 4 So the king said, “Who is in the courtyard?” Now Haman had just entered the outer courtyard of the king’s palace in order to speak to the king about hanging Mordecai on the wooden gallows which he had prepared for him. 5 So the king’s servants said to him, “Behold, Haman is standing in the courtyard.” And the king said, “Have him come in.” 6 Haman then came in and the king said to him, “What is to be done for the man whom the king desires to honor?” And Haman said to himself, “Whom would the king desire to honor more than me?” 7 Therefore Haman said to the king, “For the man whom the king desires to honor, 8 have them bring a royal robe which the king has worn, and the horse on which the king has ridden, and on whose head a royal turban has been placed; 9 then order them to hand the robe and the horse over to one of the king’s noble officials, and have them dress the man whom the king desires to honor, and lead him on horseback through the city square, and proclaim before him, ‘So it shall be done for the man whom the king desires to honor.’”
Esther 6 (NASB)
God even gives the King Insomnia at the perfect time. And of all the chronicles in storage, they just happened to find and read the part about Mordecai saving the King. How incredible wonderful and Sovereign is God. The Master Plan of God Almighty is wondrous to see as He performs His will on earth.
Haman Must Honor Mordecai as Part of the Master Plan of God Almighty
10 Then the king said to Haman, “Quickly, take the robe and the horse just as you have said, and do so for Mordecai the Jew, who is sitting at the king’s gate; do not fail to do anything of all that you have said.” 11 So Haman took the robe and the horse, and dressed Mordecai, and led him on horseback through the city square, and proclaimed before him, “So it shall be done for the man whom the king desires to honor.”
12 Then Mordecai returned to the king’s gate, while Haman hurried home, mourning, with his head covered. 13 And Haman informed Zeresh his wife and all his friends of everything that had happened to him. Then his wise men and Zeresh his wife said to him, “If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of Jewish origin, you will not prevail over him, but will certainly fall before him.”
14 While they were still talking with him, the king’s eunuchs arrived and quickly brought Haman to the banquet which Esther had prepared.
7 Now the king and Haman came to drink wine with Esther the queen. 2 And the king said to Esther on the second day also as they drank their wine at the banquet, “What is your request, Queen Esther? It shall be granted you. And what is your wish? Up to half of the kingdom it shall be done.” 3 Then Queen Esther replied, “If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me as my request, and my people as my wish; 4 for we have been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, killed, and eliminated. Now if we had only been sold as slaves, men and women, I would have kept silent, because the distress would not be sufficient reason to burden the king.” 5 Then King Ahasuerus asked Queen Esther, “Who is he, and where is he, who would presume to do such a thing?” 6 And Esther said, “A foe and an enemy is this wicked Haman!” Then Haman became terrified before the king and queen.
Esther 6:10 to 7:6 (NASB)
Is this not poetic justice? It is always best to allow God to avenge your case against those who wish you harm.
Haman Is Hanged
7 The king then got up in his anger from drinking wine and went into the palace garden; but Haman stayed to beg for his life from Queen Esther, for he saw that harm had been determined against him by the king. 8 Now when the king returned from the palace garden into the place where they had been drinking wine, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was. Then the king said, “Will he even assault the queen with me in the house?” As the word went out of the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face. 9 Then Harbonah, one of the eunuchs who stood before the king, said, “Indeed, behold, the wooden gallows standing at Haman’s house fifty cubits high, which Haman made for Mordecai who spoke good in behalf of the king!” And the king said, “Hang him on it.” 10 So they hanged Haman on the wooden gallows which he had prepared for Mordecai, and the king’s anger subsided.
Esther 7 (NASB)
Mordecai moved to a position of power. A new edict was issued that allowed the Jews to take up arms to protect themselves against any attackers and the people were saved. They celebrate this event to this day. It is the Jewish holiday of Purim.
And so, God accomplished all He had planned, saved His people, transformed the hearts of His children to trust in Him. He did this despite their failures along the way. That is Grace. So, to answer the question. God does not need me. I have nothing really to bring to the table but my own failures, until He steps in to overwhelm my heart with His love. Then the fact that He would display His grace even further to share His Glory with me by making me a part of His Master Plan–well that is overwhelming.
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.
Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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©Effie Darlene Barba, 2023Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
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New King James Version (NKJV)Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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