A Coincidental Calling | Esther 4:14
In a book of Esther, where God is never mentioned, it seems to have random plots hidden everywhere, some unexpected results. These kinds of things make us think about and connect with "He". Let's find the hidden God by discussing Esther chapter 4 verse 14.
The allusions of "Esther" generally revolve around how the Persian queen Esther smashed the tricks of the traitor and saved the Jewish nation from the crisis of genocide. The Book of Esther is the only book in the Old Testament that does not mention God's name, yet this book is still classified in the Old Testament canon, which is sufficient proof that its content reflects God's participation and involvement in it.
Looking at the book of Esther macroscopically, the theme of reversal runs through the entire narrative, such as:
- The king gave the ring to Haman to seal the decree for the extermination of the Jews (Es 3:10, 12), but the same ring was later handed over to Mordecai to decree Haman's evil deeds (Es 8:2, 8) ,10)
- Haman had made a wooden frame to hang Mordecai on (Es 5:11), but Haman himself was hung on that frame (Es 7:9-10)
The dramatic development of the plot throughout the book reflects the fact that another force behind the narrative is in charge of events and bringing salvation to Jews in peril.
Scholars have pointed out that the word Purim may be derived from the Acgar word for "Pur", which also echoes the act of casting lots to determine when to exterminate Judah (Esther 3:7). But the "lottery" in the Book of Esther does not mean sheer luck and randomness, but rather the discovery of God's actions among many coincidences.
"If you remain silent at this time, the people of Judah will find deliverance and deliverance elsewhere, and you and your father's house will perish. How can you know that you have not received the queen's place for the present opportunity?" - Esther 4:14
Mordecai's exhortation to Esther in the fourth chapter of the Book of Esther is perhaps the most familiar verse in the entire book. Esther's ascension to the queen's position is a coincidence, but it does not mean that her queen's position is purely fortunate, but that God is leading it and preparing her to exert influence at a critical moment. Mordecai clearly understood this, and he challenged Esther to recognize the meaning behind all the coincidences and asked her to reflect on how her influence could bring hope to an entire nation.
From the beginning of the whole narrative, Esther, under the guidance and protection of God, according to Mordecai's plan, has been properly hiding the identity of the Jewish people until she ascended the throne of queen, all plans are ready for this moment. Although Esther is the key figure, she is not entirely the key; her choice of obedience does not mean she is particularly capable. Esther just happens to be a pawn in God's plan to work for total redemption.
"How can you know that you won the queen's position because of the present opportunity?"
"How do you know that you got the queen's position not for the present opportunity?" The point is not to grasp personal achievements and abilities to serve God, but to humbly view every opportunity that happens to be used by God as precious, and Understand that God’s leadership and presence are in all kinds of coincidences, and that the dramatic reversal that happens is not luck, but God’s work behind it, and the Jewish nation’s ability to reverse its extinction is also obviously due to God’s presence. rescue behind. Esther knew she was just a humble and submissive vessel, faithful to God's leading in every way, and so were you and I.
write: Companion Road
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