Esther: God's Perfect Work Through Imperfect PeopleSample

God’s Promises Are Greater Than Our Circumstances

Esther chapter 9 finally answers the question we have all been waiting for: will the Jewish people be saved? On the day the original edict allowed for the destruction of the Jews, very few people now took advantage of the opportunity to legally kill and plunder them. Why? Because many people now respected their position of apparent power in the kingdom.

This passage tells us some people did come and fight, but that the Jews were able to subdue them. However, the Jewish people did not plunder their fallen enemies (even though they could have), as their primary goal was survival.

This chapter also shows us what happens when we pursue power and influence above all else. The pursuit of power means we must be willing to constantly change wherever the winds are blowing at the moment. But this is not the way to follow Jesus. Jesus didn’t seek power, but gave up his power to serve us. At the end of the day, we can pursue power or we can pursue Jesus, but we can’t pursue both.

The book of Esther also shows us that God uses imperfect people to accomplish his perfect work. There is no doubt that Esther and Mordecai were very courageous at various times, but they were also imperfect. Again, in order for Mordecai to have risen in the political ranks in Persia he would have had to do things that went against his Jewish convictions.

In this chapter, we see Esther ask for an additional day to fight their enemies and for all of Haman’s sons to be killed (verse 13). Now we aren’t told the reasoning for this, and there could have very well been a good reason for it, but on the surface it seems excessive. Yet God still used them. And this is good news for us, because it means God can still use us as well.

The book of Esther also shows us that our circumstances don’t dictate the promises of God. Even when things looked bleak for God’s chosen people, he was working out their salvation. This story shows us that God’s promises aren’t conditional. Even when the Jewish people rejected the Lord and went their own way, God’s promise (given to Abraham in Genesis 12:3) to one day save the world through them was never revoked.

Salvation still came. Jesus did what God had promised. And no matter what you may have done in your life, the promise is still true for you as well. “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13).

Today’s reflection

What circumstances are you facing right now that make you question God’s love for you? What would it look like for you to bring your doubts and fears to the Lord today?