“And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14b).

Have you ever looked back and said, “that was the providence of God working.” Providence is acts of normal circumstances guided by God for the use of his will to be accomplished.

Let’s look at Esther and how the Jewish people were saved. After King Ahasuerus, king of Susa, ordered Queen Vashti to never again come before the king when she did not obey his order, Esther was chosen among many young virgins to become his new queen. 

Mordecai, Esther’s cousin, who raised her, was sitting at the king’s gate, overhearing two of the king’s eunuchs arguing, wanting to lay their hands on the king. Mordecai told this to Esther, and Esther relayed the information to the king in Mordecai’s name. It was then put into the book of chronicles. 

Haman, King Ahasuerus’ right-hand man had been advanced above all other officials. Haman devised a plot to kill all the Jews after Mordecai did not bow to pay homage to him and learned he was a Jew. 

Mordecai told Esther it was up to her to save the Jews. He asked her, “And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14b)

Esther served two meals for the king and Haman. After the first meal, that night the King couldn’t sleep. He requested the Chronicles to be read to him. The king found out that Mordecai had not been honored for turning in the men’s names who were plotting against him. The king asked Haman, how should honor be given to one who the king delights. Haman, thinking it was him, told the king all the elaborate royalty to be given to him. The king told Haman to go and do all these things to Mordecai. This upset Haman all the more.

At the second meal, Esther tells the king of the one who is planning to destroy and annihilate her and her people. She told him it was the wicked man, Haman. Haman tried begging for his life but the king ordered for Haman to be hung on the gallows he prepared for Mordecai. 

God is not mentioned throughout the book of Esther but he is working behind the scenes. Mordecai was honored and given the position of Haman. The Jews defended themselves in battle. Ultimately they won and the Jewish nation was saved. 

The providence of God saved Christ’s lineage, God’s chosen people. 

Remember to never complain about your circumstances, and have a strong and Godly spirit like Esther. For we never know if we are put in a position, for such a time as this.

Hymn: Marvelous Grace (Grace Greater Than Our Sin)

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