Esther 5:1-2 Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance. When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.
Instead of making her request at once, Esther invited both the king and Haman to a banquet. Haman felt honored to be included but, afterward, he encountered Mordecai who disrespected him again. Not content to wait for the killing of all the Jews, Haman planed to execute Mordecai early. He even set up a pole on which to impale him (Esther 5:14).
Esther 6:1-2 That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him. It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed . . . two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, who had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes.
This episode occurred years earlier, but was never brought to the king’s attention. Xerxes didn’t know that Mordecai was Jewish, and he commanded Haman to honor Mordecai by leading him throughout the city on horseback while proclaiming, This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor! (Esther 6:11). Haman was embarrassed and alarmed as things began turning against him.
Here we see the invisible hand of God working on behalf of his people. God is the one who kept the king awake, so he’d request the record of his reign be read to him, so he’d discover what Mordecai had done for him. God wasn’t working miraculously, but he was clearly working providentially. This, in fact, is how God normally works.
God takes center stage, sometimes, but normally works behind the scenes. Either way, he’s in control of everything that happens. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered (Matthew 10:29-30), said Jesus. Our heavenly Father is always in control, so we needn’t be afraid.
Esther 7:1-2 So the king and Haman went to Queen Esther’s banquet, and as they were drinking wine on the second day, the king again asked, Queen Esther, what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.
When the King learned that Esther was Jewish, he became so angry at Haman for his plan to kill the Jews that he left the room to think. Haman fell on the couch, where Esther was reclining, and begged for his life. When the king returned, it appeared that Haman was molesting Esther, and Haman’s fate was sealed. He was impaled on the pole on which he planned to impale Mordecai.
Then Mordecai was given Haman’s position and began to defend the Jews. Since the first decree couldn’t be repealed, Mordecai and Xerxes wrote a new decree, permitting the Jews to defend themselves (Esther 8:11). Some attacks were made but God’s people were victorious. Then Mordecai made the next two days a holiday, to be celebrated every year with feasting and gifts (Esther 9:20-22).
Notice the many coincidences that made this outcome possible. Coincidentally, Esther became queen. Coincidentally, Mordecai discovered a plan to assassinate the king. Coincidentally, the king was sleepless shortly before Haman planned to have Mordecai killed. Coincidentally, the account read to the king was the record of Mordecai saving his life. Collectively, these make up a conspicuous providence.
Esther 10:3 Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews.
Mordecai was a faithful man. He was faithful to God, faithful to God’s people, and faithful to the king. As a result, he was promoted to the highest position under King Xerxes. It may’ve seemed like a dream, but it was real.
Likewise, those who are faithful to Jesus Christ will also be promoted. Imagine him saying to you, Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness! (Matthew 25:21). It may seem like a dream at the time, but it will never end. Now is the time to be faithful.
Reflection and Review
Have you ever been surprised by a conspicuous providence?
What is the difference between coincidence and providence?
Why is faithfulness important?
Instead of making her request at once, Esther invited both the king and Haman to a banquet. Haman felt honored to be included but, afterward, he encountered Mordecai who disrespected him again. Not content to wait for the killing of all the Jews, Haman planed to execute Mordecai early. He even set up a pole on which to impale him (Esther 5:14).
Esther 6:1-2 That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him. It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed . . . two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, who had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes.
This episode occurred years earlier, but was never brought to the king’s attention. Xerxes didn’t know that Mordecai was Jewish, and he commanded Haman to honor Mordecai by leading him throughout the city on horseback while proclaiming, This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor! (Esther 6:11). Haman was embarrassed and alarmed as things began turning against him.
Here we see the invisible hand of God working on behalf of his people. God is the one who kept the king awake, so he’d request the record of his reign be read to him, so he’d discover what Mordecai had done for him. God wasn’t working miraculously, but he was clearly working providentially. This, in fact, is how God normally works.
God takes center stage, sometimes, but normally works behind the scenes. Either way, he’s in control of everything that happens. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered (Matthew 10:29-30), said Jesus. Our heavenly Father is always in control, so we needn’t be afraid.
Esther 7:1-2 So the king and Haman went to Queen Esther’s banquet, and as they were drinking wine on the second day, the king again asked, Queen Esther, what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.
When the King learned that Esther was Jewish, he became so angry at Haman for his plan to kill the Jews that he left the room to think. Haman fell on the couch, where Esther was reclining, and begged for his life. When the king returned, it appeared that Haman was molesting Esther, and Haman’s fate was sealed. He was impaled on the pole on which he planned to impale Mordecai.
Then Mordecai was given Haman’s position and began to defend the Jews. Since the first decree couldn’t be repealed, Mordecai and Xerxes wrote a new decree, permitting the Jews to defend themselves (Esther 8:11). Some attacks were made but God’s people were victorious. Then Mordecai made the next two days a holiday, to be celebrated every year with feasting and gifts (Esther 9:20-22).
Notice the many coincidences that made this outcome possible. Coincidentally, Esther became queen. Coincidentally, Mordecai discovered a plan to assassinate the king. Coincidentally, the king was sleepless shortly before Haman planned to have Mordecai killed. Coincidentally, the account read to the king was the record of Mordecai saving his life. Collectively, these make up a conspicuous providence.
Esther 10:3 Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews.
Mordecai was a faithful man. He was faithful to God, faithful to God’s people, and faithful to the king. As a result, he was promoted to the highest position under King Xerxes. It may’ve seemed like a dream, but it was real.
Likewise, those who are faithful to Jesus Christ will also be promoted. Imagine him saying to you, Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness! (Matthew 25:21). It may seem like a dream at the time, but it will never end. Now is the time to be faithful.
Reflection and Review
Have you ever been surprised by a conspicuous providence?
What is the difference between coincidence and providence?
Why is faithfulness important?