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Esther 4:14b - And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?
(Read the whole book of Esther.)
Is there such a thing as coincidence in your life as a growing Christian? Can you just
happen to be in the right place at the right time? And what about the wrong place at the
wrong time? Or does God control and guide your destiny--even the people you meet and the
places you visit and the particular times involved? Coincidence--or Providence?
The answer to the question above is both simple and complex. It is
simple because the straightforward one-word answer is Providence. The Bible teaches that
God is not only sovereign in controlling all things at all times, but is actually
programming and guiding events in accordance with His eternal purposes. Ephesians 1:11
says that "He works all things after the counsel of His will." (See also Psalm
33:11 and Isaiah 43:13.) Nothing happens by pure chance or accident, and what appears to
be merely fortunate or unfortunate circumstance is really the outworking of God's plans.
However, the answer to the question of coincidence or Providence is also very complex.
That is, it is complex from the human perspective because of our finite limitations. We
don't always have the big picture to show us what God is doing and why He is doing it.
"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways than your ways, and My
thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:9). How far God allows the sinful will of
man, as well as the will of Satan, to operate in this world in specific instances is not
easily determined. Again we must acknowledge, "How unsearchable are His judgments and
unfathomable His ways!" (Romans 11:33). And how God is able to permit the evil and
cruelty that has been perpetrated by men and devils and still "work all things
after the counsel of His will" is beyond our finite comprehension. When and where God
interrupts His natural laws by miraculous, supernatural intervention is not always clear.
And what exact relationship exists between a believer's prayers (answered and
"unanswered") and the outworking of God's pre-determined plans and purposes does
not have a simple answer. We do know, however, that "the effective prayer of a
righteous man can accomplish much" (James 5:16), and also that "God causes all
things to work together for good to those who love Him" (Romans 8:28). So while the
biblical answer to our original question is Providence and not coincidence or chance in
any way, shape or form, we must acknowledge that our comprehension of this answer is far
from complete. The intricate weavings of God's workings in history are sometimes better
appreciated than investigated. (Read Psalms 131 and 139.)
An appreciation of Providence is one of the benefits that come to
growing Christians when they read the book of Esther. Providence is the over-all theme of
this Old Testament book. Although we do not find the name of God mentioned even once in
the book of Esther, throughout the book we are conscious of God working things together
behind the scenes to accomplish His purposes. It is not coincidence, but Providence that
is obviously at work in the events of Esther. The name of God is not seen, but the hand
of God is everywhere evident in this book of Scripture. In fact, the concept of Providence
is actually enhanced in Esther because God chose not to put His name in the headlines but
rather everywhere between the lines. There is a great practical lesson here for us. Many
times God does not show Himself up front in His dealings with us, and yet we can be sure
that He is silently and continually at work in our lives to accomplish His good purposes.
(See Philippians 1:6.)
The events of the book of Esther took place around 475 BC in the land of
Persia (where the country of Iran is today). The Jews had been forced to leave their
homeland as captives many years before (586 BC) when the Babylonian army under
Nebuchadnezzar had conquered their nation and burned the Temple. After Babylon fell to the
Persians in 539 BC, the Persian king, Cyrus, issued an edict which granted permission to
the Jews to return to the land of Judah. About 50,000 Jews returned to Jerusalem at that
time, but many others chose to remain in the vicinity of Babylon and other areas of the
expanding Persian Empire. Some of the Jews prospered under Persian rule, and a few even
held political office. Daniel and Nehemiah, for example, held high positions in the
Persian government. (See Daniel 6 and Nehemiah 1.) Esther's older cousin and guardian,
Mordecai, also held some kind of government post. The phrase "sitting in the king's
gate" in Esther 2:21 seems to indicate this. However, there was also a significant
amount of anti-semitism at this time, as Esther 3:13 and 9:1 indicate. It was in this
historical setting that Haman, a high government official and the villain of the story,
was confident that his scheme to kill all the Jews of the Empire would be carried out
(3:8, 13). Naturally speaking, it looked like all hope for the Jews was gone. The die was
literally cast (3:7). The design of Satan to do away with God's people, from whom the
predicted Messiah would come, seemed foolproof. But Providence was at work.
Xerxes I (Ahasuerus is the Hebrew form of this name) was more than a
little miffed when Queen Vashti refused to show off her beautiful body at the King's
banquet and drinking party (1:10-12). Vashti's exile opened the door for a new queen to
attain this influential position with King Ahasuerus. Providence! And it just worked out
that the beautiful Esther happened to be in the right place at the right time and was
selected as the new queen. More Providence! Let's pause for a practical lesson. Is it not
possible that God has sovereignly ordained your good looks or unique abilities to use in a
special way for His glory? Think of all the factors that "just happened" to fall
into place for Esther. Even the king's mood happened to be just right on Esther's date of
appearance. This is especially significant when we learn from extra-biblical sources that
Xerxes I was a very cruel, moody and temperamental emperor. This fact is helpful in
understanding verses like Esther 4:11. So here again we see Providence at work in bringing
Esther to the place and position in God's plan and purpose to save His people. In passing
it should be noted that God in no way placed Esther in a compromising situation. Her night
with the king (2:14-16) was not an act of fornication. All the women in the king's harem
were considered married to the king. Xerxes I was a polygamist, but Esther was not an
adulteress. Perhaps Esther 4:14 could apply directly to the position or job that God has
placed you in right now. Never think in terms of coincidence or chance or accident, but
rather Providence.
Meanwhile, Mordecai just happened to overhear a plot to assassinate King
Ahasuerus. This information was passed on to the king through Esther and it was documented
in the royal chronicles (2:21-23). It wasn't long before these events also proved to be
providential. It just so happened that one night King Ahasuerus could not sleep. He
decided to pass the time by reading the royal records. And sure enough, he read about
Mordecai's loyalty and decided to reward him (6:1-3). God was even in control of the
king's insomnia and the reading material he selected. Now about this time wicked Haman
arrived at the palace in order to request permission to hang Mordecai. Haman hated this
faithful Jew because he refused to bow down to any mere man, even the exalted Haman. The
king asked Haman, "What should be done for the man whom the king desires to
honor?" (6:6). Haman's eyes lit up as he thought of ways he himself could be paraded
around town with royal robes and crown. Little did he dream that the king had Mordecai in
mind. And guess who had to lead the parade for Mordecai? What Providence!
Esther had come to the conclusion that she must act on behalf of her
people even if it cost her life. Just because Esther was providentially brought to her
influential position did not mean that life would be easy or that God would not test her
faith. God tests our faith! (See James 1:3 and 1 Peter 1:7.) Are you being severely tested
right now in the position where God has placed you? Can you by faith say, as Esther said,
"If I perish, I perish" (4:16). It certainly wasn't coincidence that Ahasuerus
not only extended the golden scepter to Esther (5:2) but offered her up to half of the
Persian Empire as well (5:3)! This was almost unbelievable! Esther was hoping only that
the king would give her an opportunity to plead for mercy for her people. Hardly did she
expect a blank check! Providence! God is still able to do "exceeding abundantly
beyond all that we ask or think" (Ephesians 3:20). Incidentally, what would you have
asked for if half the Persian Empire had been offered to you?!
As a result of Esther's courage and faithfulness, wicked Haman was
eliminated and the Jewish people were saved. Of course, from the divine perspective it was
Providence all the way. Even Haman's cast of the dice (3:7) was controlled by the hand of
God so that the Jews would have eight months to prepare for their defense. (See Proverbs
16:33.) The fact that the Persian edict to kill all the Jews could not be revoked (8:8)
was also part of God's plan. The new decree which countered this "law of the Medes
and Persians" not only resulted in the preservation of the Jews, but in the
elimination of many antisemites. The feast of Purim, which is still observed annually by
many Jewish people, originated as a celebration of these events.
All these events were the result of Providence, not of coincidence.
Events in our lives today are not governed by coincidence or chance. They are all part of
God's providential plan for our ultimate blessing.
David R. Reid
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