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May 26, 2025

Bible Survey: Esther

by Jason Neill

Scripture reading: Esther 6

Esther: A Story of Courage and Divine Providence

After disposing of his first wife, King Xerxes ordered that many young women be brought before him so he could choose a new queen. Among them, Esther stood out above the rest. Captivated by her beauty and character, the king chose her to be his wife. Esther had been raised by her cousin Mordecai, as her parents are not mentioned in the story, a detail that leads many biblical scholars to believe he acted as her guardian.

The antagonist of the story is Haman, an arrogant and self-serving official in the king’s court. He was infuriated when Mordecai refused to bow before him like everyone else. Enraged, Haman not only plotted to execute Mordecai but also devised a plan to annihilate all the Jews in the kingdom. He had gallows built for Mordecai’s execution and approached the king with a proposal to eliminate an unnamed people group, claiming they were a threat to the kingdom. The text doesn’t clarify whether the king knew Haman was referring to the Jews, but he granted permission without asking many questions.

One night, the king had trouble sleeping and asked a servant to read to him from the royal records. As the servant read, the king was reminded that Mordecai had once uncovered a plot to assassinate him. Curious, the king asked whether Mordecai had ever been rewarded. When he learned that no recognition had been given, he decided to honor him. Coincidentally, Haman was waiting outside to speak with the king. The king asked Haman what should be done for someone the king wished to honor. Assuming the king was referring to him, Haman described an elaborate public celebration. The king approved the idea and then instructed Haman to do exactly that for Mordecai.

When Mordecai learned of Haman’s plan to destroy the Jews, including Esther, since she too was Jewish, he sent a message urging her to intervene. With great courage, Esther approached the king, risking her life, and invited both him and Haman to a banquet. Rather than revealing her request immediately, she invited them to a second banquet. At that second meal, she revealed her Jewish identity and exposed Haman’s plot to destroy her people. The king, enraged, ordered that Haman be executed on the very gallows he had built for Mordecai.

Because a royal edict could not be revoked, the day set for the Jews' destruction remained in place. However, the king issued a new decree allowing the Jews to defend themselves. When the day came, they were prepared, and prevailed. The crisis was averted. Not only were the Jews spared, but Mordecai was also elevated to the position Haman had once held.

Authorship and Date: The author of Esther is unknown, but it is clear that the writer was well-acquainted with the events and setting described in the book. For instance, the detailed descriptions of the palace in Susa (see 1:6–8; 7:8) suggest firsthand knowledge or access to reliable sources. If the book was written during or shortly after the reign of King Xerxes, a likely date of composition would be around 475 B.C.

Jesus in Esther: In Esther, God does not speak. There are no miracles. No prophet delivers a word from the Lord. And yet, the timing of events, Esther becoming queen, the king’s insomnia, Mordecai's discovery of the assassination plot, all point to divine orchestration.

Similarly, in our lives and in the world today, Christ often works invisibly and silently, yet sovereignly. We may not see immediate evidence of His hand, but that doesn’t mean He’s absent. Like the thread in a tapestry, His presence weaves everything together.

“My Father is always at His work to this very day, and I too am working.” — John 5:17 (NIV).

Application: Although God’s name is never mentioned in the book of Esther, His fingerprints are visible throughout the entire story. In fact, Esther is the only book in Scripture where God is not explicitly named. Isn’t that fascinating? Yet despite this, we clearly see God orchestrating events, protecting His people, and ultimately bringing justice. Evil is defeated, and His purposes prevail.

In the same way, God’s hand may not always be obvious in our own lives. There are times we look around and wonder, where is God? But even when we can’t see Him, He is always at work, behind the scenes, guiding, providing, and protecting.

So, take heart. Even when it’s not apparent, even when circumstances feel uncertain or silent, God is still working, for our good and for His glory. Never forget that.