Explore: God Provides Deliverance

• The Explore the Bible lesson for Dec. 14 focuses on Esther 4:6-17.

When my parents retired and moved near my family, we searched carefully for the right house for them. We were very cautious about them buying a house with a swimming pool, knowing the dangers it could pose for our three young children. Still, my parents took the necessary precautions. They made sure the pool was fenced in and the doors of their house had childproof locks on them. They even paid for swimming lessons for our 2- and 4-year-old girls.

Their preparation paid off, and we logged a huge number of hours in their pool over the summer. The week before Thanksgiving, they were babysitting our girls at their house and working in the backyard, when our 2-year-old Karis fell into the frigid water. Thankfully, their preparation paid off—Karis quickly fought to the surface, and my dad rescued her out of the water even before she managed to swallow any. Although frightening and cold, it easily was remedied by hot chocolate and sympathetic snuggling.

Esther and Mordecai

The events of Esther remind me of this chain of events. Esther and Mordecai face a great danger. They engage in careful planning and preparation. They apply wisdom and act prudently. And even as their lives hang in the balance, God provides deliverance.

Following Haman’s announcement of the Jews’ death sentence in chapter 3, Mordecai enlists the help of Queen Esther. Although Mordecai’s request entails considerable risk to Esther, he authoritatively issues the command for Esther to go before King Xerxes and plead for her people. No one was allowed to enter the king’s presence without an invitation, or they could be put to death. However, if the king extended the golden scepter, the intrusion would be forgiven.

Esther feared for her life, worried she did not hold sway with the king to enable her to make such a petition. In fact, the king had not shown any regard for Esther in 30 days, presumably choosing instead to spend his time with other concubines from his harem.

Perhaps Esther had in mind the fate of her predecessor, Queen Vashti. But Esther’s hesitation also is in line with the book’s adherence to Jewish wisdom. “Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence, and do not claim a place among his great men; it is better for him to say to you, ‘Come up here,’ than for him to humiliate you before his nobles” (Proverbs 25:6-7).

Mordecai’s appeal begins with a warning and ends with an assurance of God’s providence. Esther should not presume her status as queen exempts her from Haman’s decree. Although she feared for her life, inaction would result in certain death not only for Esther, but also for all the Jews in Persia. And Mordecai asserts if Esther fails to act on behalf of her people, deliverance would “arise from another place” (v. 14).

Trusting God

Although Mordecai never mentions God explicitly, it is clear he believes God to be in control of the course of history and specifically the fate of God’s people. He—or the author—again draws upon Jewish proverbial wisdom: “The Lord works out everything to its proper end—even the wicked for a day of disaster” (Proverbs 16:4), and “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps” (Proverbs 16:9). Even as the drama unfolds alarmingly before their eyes, Mordecai trusts God is directing human activity according to God’s overarching purposes. And so he resolutely states the most well-known verse in the book of Esther, “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (4:14).

Esther’s response also demonstrates her deep-rooted faith, although again communicated without reference to God. She agrees to approach King Xerxes, but only after she and her people undergo three days of fasting. In Jewish culture, as in the Christian faith, fasting was a form of prayer and submission to God. Esther’s fear is replaced with courage, despite the knowledge she couldn’t control the outcome of the risk she will undertake.

With this resolve, Esther becomes an unlikely heroine in the story. Although strikingly beautiful, she entered life with a number of disadvantages—orphaned as a child, a despised minority living as an alien in a foreign land, and a female in a male-dominated society. But evidently Mordecai raised her as any faithful Jewish parent would, immersed in the Scriptures and the stories of God’s faithful action on behalf of their people throughout history.

The chapters that follow reveal her character as rooted in Jewish wisdom. In contrast with the king’s capricious decisions and Haman’s self-destructive pride, Esther exhibits humility and deference to win the king’s favor. Her careful orchestration of events shows patience and shrewdness. She uses her influence and hospitable prowess to wield a position of power that seals the fate of Haman and works deliverance for her people.

Looking toward deliverance

As we continue in this season of Advent, we too can prepare ourselves for God’s deliverance through Christ. Whether we come from privilege or hardship, whether we live in relative ease or are facing great difficulties, we can ready ourselves for the Savior’s work in our hearts and in our lives. Through meditation on God’s word, we cultivate Esther’s spirit of humility, wisdom and patience.

By fostering community with other believers, we gain insight, perspective and encouragement to act in faith, like Esther received from Mordecai. And in prayer, we lean on the Holy Spirit for a sense of God’s timing and purpose in our lives. With these spiritual disciplines, we ready ourselves to engage meaningfully and communicate effectively in a secular culture.

In these weeks before Christmas, we can see a connection between Esther and Mary, Jesus’ mother. Mary showed great humility and forbearance, willing to set aside her own personal comfort and life plans for the sake of God’s plan. She sought the wise counsel of other people of great faith. And she allowed God to use her to work deliverance not just for a persecuted minority living under foreign rule but for all humanity for all time.

Like Mary, and like Esther, may we be ready for God’s work in our lives, that God may use our simple obedience for great impact in God’s kingdom.