Airbrushing God: A Devotion on the Book of EstherSample

If you could edit the book of Esther, would you? Depending on your translation, it’s the only book in scripture that has no explicit references to God. It’s one of 10 Old Testament books that isn’t quoted in the New, doesn’t refer to the Torah, and only mentions the law in a cynical take on the Jews as enemies of the state by Haman. The editors of the Greek version of the Old Testament (the LXX) felt so uncomfortable that they added a solid 50 mentions.

The omission is deliberate. Isaiah 45 exclaims that “truly you are a God who hides himself.” No fanfare is needed – just simple trust that God is in control. Esther is a beautifully woven story full of coincidence and intrigue that only makes sense in the light of God’s promises. The script was written for a people living in exile from their homeland and is a story of hope – perhaps the reason why 4th Century Rabbi Simeon ben Lakish rated it alongside the Torah in importance for Jews.

The scene seemed so dark, with hope virtually extinguished. The King was so powerful that his decrees could not be overturned even if he wanted to. The Jews were surely done for. Yet God. Nothing else could explain the series of events that led to a new decree being issued, one that made it clear to the empire that the Jews would be afforded protection and privilege. In one sweeping move, the tables turned, and the Jews celebrated in every city where the decree was read out – and get this in verse 17 – many from other nationalities became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them! This finds a powerful echo in the birth of the church in Acts 2 through to chapter 5, where fear of God fell on the people, and many were converted.

As you read through Esther 8:11-17 ask, how do you experience God in the day-to-day? in Psalm 46:10, God reminds us to “be still and know that I am God.” It’s a dynamic knowing – not a passive hope – that God is present and active that should be our posture. Slow down, listen, and watch.

When God is on the move, lives are transformed. Acts 4:12 tells us that “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven by which we are saved.” And God is on the move in our day. May our behavior reflect that belief!