Esther: God's Perfect Work Through Imperfect PeopleSample

The Good Providence Of God

Chapter five of Esther left off with Haman building an outrageously high gallows on which to hang Mordecai, and looking forward to a second banquet with the king and Esther. Tensions are high, yet we see that God is present and active even in the darkest moments.

The night before Haman was going to ask the king to hang Mordecai, the king could not sleep and ended up reading about the time Mordecai saved his life. He sees that Mordecai, surprisingly, was never rewarded for this, and wants to rectify this at once.

At the same time, Haman, full of pride, assumes that there is no one worth honoring more than he is. So when the king asks how he should honor someone, Haman assumes that of course the king intends to honor him. In an ironic turn of events, Haman finally learns that what he proposed for himself will actually be done for Mordecai, whom he wanted to have killed. At the end of chapter 6, Haman’s wife declares what we can feel is imminent: Haman’s downfall is coming.

This chapter (and this book) show us the destructive nature of pride. In fact, it could be argued that pride is the number one predictor of ongoing sin in your life. It’s our pride that keeps us from being honest with others about our problems. It is our pride that makes us think we can overcome our sin all on our own. It’s our pride that makes us think we are the exception and that we won’t be found out. But nothing is hidden from God.

We also see in this chapter that nothing happens outside of God’s control. He is over all things, even when it doesn’t look like it. And up until now in the book of Esther, it didn’t look like it. While this doesn’t mean God will work out everything how we want, it does mean that nothing happens without his willing or allowing it.

Providence can be described as God’s guidance, protection, care. The book of Esther shows us the providence of God is always at work, even when we can’t see it. The book of Esther shows us that there are no accidents in God’s providence.

What others meant for evil, God can use for good. Nowhere is this seen more clearly than in the crucifixion of Jesus. When all seemed lost, salvation was given.

Today’s reflection

What is one area of your life where it is tempting for you to think God has abandoned you? Ask him to help you trust in his providence today.