Esther

The events described in the book of Esther occurred during the reign of Ahasuerus (Xerxes), the father of the Artaxerxes of Ezra 7. The mass of Jews had remained in their land of captivity, even though the proclamation of Cyrus (Ezra 1:11Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, (Ezra 1:1)) had gone out more than a half a century earlier. The small remnant that had returned to a ruined Jerusalem had energy of faith that was not seen amongst those that remained. The name of God is not once mentioned in this book, but God’s ways are sure. Though hidden, He will deliver His people—even when He can no longer publicly own them as such. As the scenes of this beautiful book of God’s providential care unfold, we find them arranged precisely as He chooses to arrange them.
As a result of queen Vashti’s refusal to show her beauty (Es. 1:11-12), she is set aside and her royal estate is given unto another better than she (Es. 1:19)—Esther, or Hadassah in Hebrew—the cousin of Mordecai, a captive of the tribe of Benjamin. Esther was an orphaned Jewess, very beautiful, and was as a daughter to Mordecai (Es. 2:7).
While Esther is brought into the very heart of the palace as queen, Mordecai holds a despised position in the king’s gate—their relationship unknown (Es. 2:19, 20). Refusing to bow down to Haman the Agagite (an Amalekite; 1 Sam. 15:88And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword. (1 Samuel 15:8)), Mordecai incurs the hatred of this powerful man (Es. 3:1-5). In one day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, all the Jews of the kingdom were to be exterminated—Esther included—and though not mentioned specifically, the remnant in the province of Judea (Es. 3:13). For Haman, everything seemed to be coming together; however, the Observer of men arranges a wakeful night for the king. Perhaps hoping to hear of his own grandeur, he instead hears from the state records how Mordecai had saved his life (Es. 6:1-3). Mordecai must be exalted, the adversary of the Jews must be exposed, and their enemies destroyed (Es. 6, 7). The book closes with Mordecai promoted to the second place in the kingdom (Es. 10:3).
While Esther’s obedience to her cousin, her willingness to forfeit her life for her people, and Mordecai’s refusal to bow to Haman were acts of true faith, we must remember that providence cannot be taken as a guide for the exercise of faith. Faith does not look at circumstances but to God Himself, and is guided by His Word. Though providence saw to Moses in the bulrushes, it was by faith that he refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter (Heb. 11:2424By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; (Hebrews 11:24)).