Bible Pathway - June 13
Read Esther 4 – 7
For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this - (Est. 4:14)?
The providence of God is clearly shown in the Book of Esther. This is not to say that we don't see God's providence throughout the entire Word of God. There are examples of such from the beginnings of the Old Testament in the Book of Genesis until the close of the New Testament in the Book of Revelation. The Book of Esther simply shows providence at work to save the people of Israel in one clear timeline of events.
The Lord began this work all the way back when Nebuchanezzar and Babylon took the people of Israel into captivity. Mordecai and his family were obviously part of the Jews that were taken to a strategic place in Babylon to provide service for the king. This placed Mordecai where he would need to be.
The fact that Mordecai remained here shows God at work. As time went on, another Babylonian king rose up. The Babylonians were then conquered by the Medo-Persians. Mordecai had seen the reigns of Cyrus and Darius pass by and now was ruled over by Ahasuerus. God truly had a purpose for this Jewish family. For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth (Rom. 9:11).
God then began to show the same workings in the young cousin that Mordecai had raised as a daughter. Esther found favor first with the king's steward, Hegai, who was in charge of the king's women. She then found favor with the king himself as he loved her above all others. She became his queen.
The wicked Haman had no idea the queen was Jewish. This was also part of God's providence. Surely, if this had been public knowledge, Haman would have had a much more deceptive plan to destroy the Jews. God knew well beforehand what Haman would try to do and set in motion a plan to stop it. And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God (Rom. 8:27).
Mordecai challenged Esther. She could save her people by revealing herself as a Jew. The words "for such a time as this" can ring just as true for us today. God's providence is just as often at work in our lives. We just need to trust God to get us to the place He needs us to be, and trust that in His timing He will reveal His will and purpose for the task He has for us.
God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? (Heb. 2:4).
Thought for Today:
Although many oppose God, He calls you and me to stand up for Him.
Word Studies:
4:1 rent, tore, as an act of grief and mourning; 6:13 be of the seed of the Jews, is of Jewish origin; 7:4 countervail, justify, compensate, or make up for; 7:5 that durst, who dares to.
Christ Revealed:
In the honor shown to Mordecai as he was led through the streets (Esth. 6:10-11). Jesus was greatly honored in His triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Matt. 21:8-9).
Prayer Suggestion: Ask for the Lord's blessings and peace upon His children (Num. 6:24-27).
Optional Reading: Galatians 2
Memory Verse for the Week: Ecclesiastes 5:4
