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There’s something missing in the book of Esther.
God isn’t mentioned once, even though Esther is one of the 66 books of the Bible.
God’s name may be missing from the book’s 168 verses, but God is definitely not AWOL or “absent without leave” in Esther’s story.
The account of this ancient Jewish queen is joyfully celebrated in Jewish communities around the world. At midwinter, families gather in a carnival-like atmosphere in their synagogues to commemorate the festival of Purim, which recalls the suspenseful drama portrayed in the book.
Esther’s story is worth celebrating because it’s one of those rare accounts in which the Jews triumph over their enemies.
But the happy ending only happens because of her spectacular courage.
The story comes from a time about 500 years before Christ, when Jewish exiles had migrated to Persia, or modern-day Iran. A vengeful prime minister named Haman makes it his personal mission to eradicate this new Jewish population. From Haman to Hitler, this is nothing new. Tyrants routinely attempt government-sponsored genocide of God’s people.
Who can prevent this tragedy?
Only one person is available to stand in the gap. It is Esther, a beautiful young woman who just happens to be the queen of Xerxes, the supreme Persian monarch.
How in the world is she in the right place at the right time? Her story involves a series of remarkable happenstances.
The former queen, Vashti, just happens to be dismissed. Esther just happens to win a beauty contest to become the royal successor. The king just happens to be unable to sleep one night – perhaps because DoorDash just happens to have brought him Taco Bell takeout right before bedtime – and picks up some reading material that just happens to report the good deed of a Jew named Mordecai, who just happens to be Esther’s cousin.
According to the book, is there any chance that all these things are “just happening”? Absolutely not. Someone is working behind the scenes. Even though he isn’t mentioned by name, God’s fingerprints are everywhere.
With the date of the Jews’ slaughter (pre-arranged by Haman) rapidly approaching, Esther alone is strategically positioned to reach the king’s ear. But she is afraid – and justifiably so. She is married to a man who strongly prefers that his women be seen and not heard.
According to the law, Esther may go to him only when he invites her – and she has not been summoned for a month.
In Esther 4:14, the signature verse of the book, Mordecai reminds his cousin that it’s not enough to be in the right place at the right time. She now has to do the right thing.
Mordecai asks, “Who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?”
Two verses later Esther boldly declares, “I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” It just so happens, however, that the king’s heart is warmed as she approaches him. He listens to her plea, responds immediately, and the Jews of Persia are saved from extermination.
What is the bottom line of this modest little book? Nothing in the world just happens.
Is there any chance that anything in your life today is going to happen by chance? Not a chance.
Maybe you’re facing a crucial meeting. Who knows but that God has entrusted this opportunity to you for such a time as this?
Maybe you’re about to be stuck in the checkout line at Target behind the world’s most confused shopper. Who knows but that you have been chosen to be in that line for such a time as this?
Who knows but that you have been given oversight of a child with special needs, or have just been asked to help a struggling friend, or have just been told by your doctor that you need to slow down your pace of life – for such a time as this?
That’s why our call is to stop and pray in every circumstance, “Lord, what are you trying to show me or teach me right now?” We take seriously the possibility that the nudges and promptings we feel are indeed the voice of God, ensuring that we are in the right places at the right times.
And then our call is to do the right thing.
I vividly remember a weekday morning years ago when I felt uncommonly depressed. In truth, I was drowning in self-pity. Just before I trudged into a series of meetings, I decided I could at least sort my mail.
A card had arrived the day before. Inside was a simple handwritten note. It was a reminder that God cared for me. It ended with these words: “Perhaps this card can cheer you if you’re in the middle of a tough time.” Who knew that God would use those simple words, innocently penned 48 hours earlier, to rescue me at such a time as that?
God knew.
Be like Esther today. Trust that God has placed you in the right place at the right time.
Who knows but that you have just received this word of encouragement for such a time as this?