Esther and God’s Redemptive Mission
The biblical story of Esther reveals a great moment of decision that emphasizes in God’s redeeming mission the relevance of timing, place, and choice. “And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Mordecai asks Esther in Esther 4:14, (English Standard Version). This emphasizes the fact that Esther’s queenly status was not random; it was part of a divine design. Esther had to make a decision that would decide the fate of her people. Her timing was vital since she had to visit King Xerxes at a dangerous point when her Jewish background would bring about her death. She nevertheless decided to behave bravely, proving that her position in the palace served a greater good than her personal luxury.
When we consider Esther’s story, we can see more general ramifications for our own life. We too often wonder our timing and place in God’s plan, just as Esther struggled with her situation. There are times in life when we doubt our path. I am debating whether to relocate or remain in my own state right now. Like Esther’s decision to approach the king, this one really affects me emotionally. Looking back on Esther’s life and seeing the divine orchestration of events is simple; but, when we are going through our own circumstances, it can seem chaotic and confusing.
God’s Redemptive Mission for Me
The contemplation of his redemptive purpose for my life made it feel more urgent, more valuable, and more important to know what I should do now. Like Esther, I had to be aware of the decisions before me, knowing that how I responded today could impact tomorrow. God calls us to be nearsighted, aware, of what our surroundings offer and present. Once Esther’s mind was made up, she didn’t hesitate. She did not back down. She leapt forward in faith because her actions were part of God’s path for his people. This causes me to seek to recognize all of the ‘doors’ of my life that God opens for me, and to enter through them, fearlessly. But more than that, Ecclesiastes 3:1 emphasizes the timing of things: ‘A time for everything, and a season for every matter under heaven.’ God’s timing is always impeccable, even when I’m impatient or uncertain.[1]
I have to believe that the right sort of possibilities will present themselves at the right time for me, just as they did for Esther. Lastly, the significance of our decisions, of our moments of time and place, is connected to God’s larger plan. God’s redemptive work does not end with the biblical heroes; it continues with us and those around us. As we live out our lives, we have to be open to what God is doing around us. We do not know the ‘whole greater scope of the picture’, as Esther said, yet we can be confident that we are ‘where’ we are for a reason.[2] So I will try to go ahead, to be open to what God puts in front of me or keeps me from, to make my decisions in a way that fits God’s plan for my life – and to contribute to God’s redemptive work in the world.
[1] Michael A. Eaton, “Ecclesiastes,” in New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition, ed. D. A. Carson et al., 4th ed. (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994), 612.
[2] Victor P. Hamilton, Handbook on the Historical Books (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2001), 541–542.