Esther: God's Perfect Work Through Imperfect PeopleSample

When Idolatry Becomes Your Identity

In Esther chapter 4, we read about reactions to the king’s decree to annihilate the Jews living in Persia, and Mordecai pleaded with Esther to do something on her people’s behalf. He tells her, “Who knows, perhaps you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” In this passage, watch as Esther and Haman struggle to advance their opposing plans.

Esther, courageously and at the risk of death, approaches the king and asks for a meeting. He happily obliges. Strangely when the time of the banquet comes and the king asks Esther what she wants, she asks for another banquet instead. We aren’t told why she postpones her request, but the King accepts.

Haman is elated. He again is asked to join the king at another privileged banquet. However, as soon as he sees Mordecai he is enraged again. So, at the encouragement of his wife, he prepares a large gallows on which to publicly execute and humiliate Mordecai.

In this chapter we see the different approaches of Esther and Haman. In humility, Esther fasts and prays for God’s protection and wisdom. Haman hurriedly seeks to destroy a man who won’t bow down to him. You can almost feel what James writes in James 4:6 that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.

Haman also shows us that our idolatry can become our identity. Haman craved power and recognition, so much so that he was willing to do anything to get it. If we are not careful, we can place our identity in things (even good things) that cannot do for us what Christ has done and continues to do.

Financial security, a relationship, public recognition, etc., if that is our ultimate pursuit, shapes all the decisions we make. Causing us to be blind to the freedom and grace we receive from Christ. Ultimately, our identity is not something we chase and achieve, it’s something we receive.

We are given love, mercy and acceptance not based on our accolades, but on Jesus’ sacrifice and invitation. We are loved by God not for what we do, but through what he has done for us.

Today’s reflection

What is one area in your life that you are tempted to give greater importance to than Christ? What guardrails can you put up to help keep lesser things from becoming god-like things in your life?