Introduction to the Book of Esther
"When the curtain is drawn, it may seem like nothing is happening—but light still pours in behind the scenes."
The book of Esther is a quiet testimony to the thunderous faithfulness of God. Though His name is never explicitly mentioned, His hand is unmistakably present, guiding events from behind the curtain. We’re introduced to a Jewish woman named Esther, who becomes queen in a foreign empire just as a genocidal plan unfolds against her people. While the Persian Empire may rule the land, and an evil official named Haman plots destruction, the true Sovereign is unseen yet unfailing.
What makes Esther unique is how it testifies to God’s providence through ordinary events. The timing of a sleepless night, the “coincidence” of royal records being read, and the rise of a humble man named Mordecai—none of these are accidents. This story unfolds in the space between miracles and monotony. Esther's courage, prompted by Mordecai's wisdom, leads to a dramatic reversal of evil. The gallows built for a righteous man become the downfall of the wicked, and the people once condemned are now equipped to stand firm.
Behind every scene lies a divine commitment: God keeps His promises. The preservation of the Jews wasn’t just about one ethnic group—it was about preserving the lineage of the coming Redeemer. Haman's plot threatened more than people; it threatened the promise. And so the book of Esther whispers the assurance that God will not abandon what He has begun—not in Persia, not in Bethlehem, and certainly not in you.
Personalized Journal Entry
In the Voice of the Holy Spirit Through Scripture
I was present when the lot was cast to destroy the people, but I turned it to their deliverance. I stirred the king’s sleepless night, and I brought the right scroll to his attention. I remembered the faithful act of Mordecai and raised him up in honor. I led Esther to her place not merely for royalty, but for rescue—for such a time as that.
I do not forget My covenant. I remember mercy when wrath is prepared. I preserve the righteous and overturn the plans of the wicked. I exalt the humble and bring down the proud. My ways are hidden but not absent, and My promises are sure though the enemy rages. I caused Esther to rise; I cause you to stand. I equipped them to defend themselves; I clothe you with My armor. I turned their mourning into celebration; I exchange your ashes for beauty.
You are not forgotten. My hand upon you may not always be seen, but it is never withdrawn. Just as I preserved a people for the sake of the promised Messiah, I now preserve you in Him. The gallows meant for judgment have fallen on another. You are free.
Scripture references: Esther 4:14, 6:1–3, Psalm 121:4, Proverbs 21:1, Isaiah 61:3, Ephesians 6:11, Romans 8:32
Real Life Analogy
You’ve likely had a moment when everything seemed to go wrong—your car wouldn’t start, your phone died, traffic was unbearable. But then, somehow, you avoided an accident that happened on your usual route, or you bumped into someone at the store you hadn’t seen in years and had a life-giving conversation. It felt random, even frustrating at first. But later, looking back, you saw something larger at work—a pattern you couldn’t have arranged. That’s what providence feels like. You don’t always recognize My presence in the moment, but the orchestration becomes visible in the rearview mirror. The book of Esther is that rearview mirror for a whole nation.
Prayer
Father, thank You for showing me that Your silence is never absence. Even when I can’t trace Your hand, I can rest in the certainty of Your heart. I trust that You are already at work behind every closed door, every interrupted plan, every unseen hour. You are the One who raises up deliverance in the exact moment it is needed—not a second too soon or too late. I rejoice that the gallows of sin no longer await me, because Christ bore it all on my behalf. I now live enveloped in the security of Your promise. So in every season—visible or hidden—I will remember: You are the faithful One who keeps covenant. And because You are, I can rest in Your unseen hand tonight.
Credit:
Insights adapted from the Grace and Truth Study Bible.
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