A common objection to Christianity is how a loving God could allow so much evil in the world. How do you respond to that? We’re reminded as the history of Esther comes to a close, that God always triumphs over evil and ultimately gives his people victory. Yes this is in the future, but in many ways we have victory over sin and evil in our lives even today.
As we dive back into Esther this week we arrive at the great salvation moment for the Jews. It comes through a dramatic reversal--all of Haman's evil edict comes untrue. Instead of death, there is life! Instead of sorrow, there is rejoicing! In this passage, we'll be reminded of the promises of God for our salvation in Christ and observe how we can persevere in walking the upside-down way of Jesus as his disciples.
Did you know that we worship a God who is angry? Hundreds of times in Scripture God is described this way. Certainly God is gracious and compassionate and slow to anger, but that doesn't discount his righteous wrath. Our passage this Sunday emphasizes God's judgment against sin and sinners. We'll see that God's wrath is actually a necessary part of God's salvation, and why, even if it seems counter-intuitive at first, God's anger is a very good thing for us.
The climax of the story of Esther isn't what you'd think. It's not when Esther first enters the throne room or when she finally appeals to the king for her people. The central turning point of Esther comes in a seemingly innocuous scene in the middle of the night when the king can't sleep. And it's in this scene the author gives us a glimpse of the glorious, absolute sovereignty of God--not just in the story of Esther, but in our stories as well.
In Esther 5 we see a stark contrast of two powerful people. One wields her power humbly for the good of others. The other grasps onto his power for his own sake at all costs. In this text we'll observe the enslaving trap of pride in Haman and the courageous glory of humility in Esther so that we might guard against pride and grow in humility together.
In chapter 4, Esther undergoes a transformation from subservient daughter and spiritual compromiser to courageous leader prepared to risk her life to save her people. This Sunday, we'll see not only what changes in Esther but also how we can prepare ourselves to stand for the Lord in the defining moments of our own lives.
Our passage this Sunday concludes with the whole city "bewildered." Has life ever left you lost and confused? Perhaps you've been overlooked, mistreated, or even oppressed? Esther 3 is for you. We'll see how to trust the hidden hand of God in the midst of even the darkest difficulties of our lives.
In Esther, God's people are in exile. They're a religious minority living in a society with spiritual and moral values in great contrast to theirs--not unlike our own reality in Boston. In this environment, circumstances arise that will tempt us to hide or even deny our faith. Will Esther and Mordecai show courage or compromise? Will we?
The 2,500 year old story of Esther is actually incredibly relevant to us in our day. God's people found themselves as a religious minority living in a society that was dominated by spiritual and moral values in great contrast to theirs: ostentatious displays of wealth, sexual promiscuity, and unjust rule. How do we as God's people shine as lights in a dark culture like this? How do we trust the Lord when it is difficult to see him at work? We'll explore these themes and more as we dive into the book of Esther this fall.
