“So Hathak went out to Mordecai in the open square of the city, in front of the king’s gate. Mordecai told him everything that had happened to him, including the exact amount of money Haman had promised to pay into the royal treasury for the destruction of the Jews. He also gave him a copy of the text of the edict for their annihilation, which had been published in Susa, to show to Esther and explain it to her, and he told him to instruct her to go into the king’s presence to beg for mercy and plead with him for her people.” — Esther 4:6–8 (NIV)
THERE IS NO GREAT STORY WITHOUT A GREAT TWIST
There is no great story without a great twist, and the book of Esther contains some incredible twists. Beyond that, there is something extraordinary about this book. The name of God does not appear even once. There are no supernatural miracles explicitly recorded in it. There are no prophets. There are no visions. Yet God is directing absolutely everything behind the scenes.
- The Fall of Vashti
Xerxes was a Persian king who wielded great power, for his empire stretched from India to Cush (from the far east to the far south) — the greatest empire known at that time. His queen was called Vashti. At a certain point, Xerxes wanted to display his glory before his princes and governors.
The banquet began, and Queen Vashti was summoned into the presence of the king and of everyone else — but she simply did not appear. Some scholars claim she would have been humiliated on that occasion, and that is why she did not come. We do not know the exact reasons, but I have a theory… (Joke about couples)
The fact is that this provoked a revolt among the king’s counsellors and was considered a terrible offence. So she was forced to hand over her position to another queen, better than she. After some time, the king sent to recruit young virgins of good appearance from whom to choose the new queen.
At that same period there was a Benjamite named Mordecai, a Jew who lived in the citadel of Susa. He was bringing up his niece — a beautiful young woman who had lost her parents — called Hadassah in Hebrew, and Esther as she was known among the Persians.
When the young women were brought to the king, Esther went along, and King Xerxes was captivated by her beauty — the Bible says he was pleased with her. She, however, did not reveal her Jewish origin, at Mordecai’s request.
Here we have some lessons:
1) The Law of Moses discouraged marriage with foreigners
The Law of Moses prohibited marriage with pagan peoples when it would lead Israel into idolatry (Deuteronomy 7:3–4).
That is why, after the exile, leaders such as Ezra and Nehemiah fought against mixed marriages. Even though it went against the culture, in an unsuitable setting, God had mercy and provided for the Jewish people.
She did not reveal her identity out of obedience to Mordecai, but she was also waiting for the right moment to reveal herself. Imagine a situation in your life like a job interview: you would not open the conversation talking about your faith or religion. There is a difference between denying the faith and waiting for the right moment to testify!
For the Persians, marrying a Jewess was not, in itself, a religious or cultural problem. The Persian Empire was enormous and governed more than 127 provinces (Esther 1:1), bringing together dozens of peoples, languages and religions. Unlike Israel, the Persians generally did not forbid marriages between different ethnic groups, for they had a policy of respecting the cultures and religions of the peoples they had conquered.
- Mordecai and Haman
After these events, Mordecai uncovered a plot against King Xerxes and reported it, saving the king. But he faded into oblivion in Xerxes’s eyes and was not duly honoured. I have been through some churches and have seen many people frustrated for not feeling honoured. I do not believe that exists here at Shalom, because everyone here is renewed and transformed by the Spirit!
A man named Haman was chosen as Xerxes’s right-hand man, and the king ordered the whole empire to bow down before Haman — but Mordecai refused. From Mordecai’s decision onward, Haman plotted to kill all the Jews.
Who was Haman?
Haman was an Agagite — probably a descendant of Agag, according to some scholars — king of the Amalekite people. In short, he was a descendant of an ancient enemy of the people of Israel (Exodus 17:8).
“The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim.”
Exodus 17:8 NIV
Here are some valid questions you may be asking yourself.
Why would God allow an enemy of the Jews to hold a position where he could subjugate the Jewish people? Does that make sense? Why does He allow such a ruthless executioner to be your boss?
Because our hearts are very hard, and many times He uses adversity to reveal His glory, mould our character and transform our hearts! (Proverbs 6:16–19; Mark 6:52; Mark 8:17)
“for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.”
Mark 6:52 NIV
Some people may even go further and ask: But if the Jewish people were wiped out, what would be the problem? Several problems! Let me name a few:
1- God’s promise to Abraham would be interrupted. God promised Abraham: “and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:3)
2- The Messiah could not be born from the promised line. The Bible states that the Messiah would come: from the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:10); from the family of David (2 Samuel 7:12–16); from the people of Israel.
3- Many Old Testament prophecies would become impossible to fulfil. The prophets announced: the coming of the Messiah; his death and resurrection; the restoration of Israel; the new covenant.
4- The plan of salvation for all nations would be affected. Jesus said: “Salvation is from the Jews.” (John 4:22)
This means that God chose Israel as the instrument to bring the Saviour to the world. The goal was always to reach all nations — but through this people.
Haman probably thought he was merely eliminating an enemy people. But spiritually, his attempt was far greater: to destroy the people of the promise and prevent the fulfilment of God’s plan.
- Esther’s Call
Here we will be confronted — but in love. Say to your brother: It will hurt!
“Then Mordecai told them to answer Esther: ‘Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?'” — Esther 4:13–14 (NIV)
Let’s bring this into our reality, shall we?
It is as if the text were saying: do not imagine that because you have a good house, a good job and a good car, you are exempt and protected!
THE PLACE WHERE YOU ARE IS WHERE GOD HAS YOU RIGHT NOW!
The job you have is the place where God wants to manifest His glory.
University, school, company, your home… they are no accident. They are your mission field.
If you have already understood your calling, then it is time for you to unlock the calling of other people. Do you feel disqualified? Great! That is exactly how He loves to bring about twists!
We need to step out of our comfort zone! You need to understand that: The things that have come into your hands are not there merely to satisfy you. They are tools to transform lives.
That statement from Mordecai reveals a deep conviction: the Jewish people would not be destroyed, because God had promised to preserve them. Esther could choose to obey or not, but God’s plan would go on.
- You Were Called for the Unlikely Situations!
God uses the unlikely in unlikely situations. Who here has ever felt the unlikely one?
When we hold back from obeying God’s command, someone else will obey in our place. God’s plans will not be aborted just because you rejected them.
In this sense, we need to rethink our decisions, because sometimes we can obey the kingdom of men without consequences or fear. But sometimes attitudes in the kingdom of men go against the Kingdom of heaven — and that is something we cannot compromise one. And sometimes there is no attitude at all!
Let me tell the church a story:
Testimony 1
I believe I was about 19 years old when I began to understand my calling. I took part in everything at the church — I led a cell group, a dance group, I helped with the young people, I did evangelism; I felt like “the spiritual one”. A friend of my mother’s invited me to spend the weekend at her family’s house, in the countryside. I was very happy with the invitation and went off to have fun.
On the second day, the mother of the girl who had invited me fell very ill. I remember it as if it were yesterday. They came me running to get me: “Tiago, Tiago, come here, please!” I ran over, frightened, and when I reached the room everyone was there, afraid. She was not that old, but she was in a lot of pain and struggling to breathe. And someone said: “Come on, please pray for her to be healed! I know you can do it!”
I was extremely nervous, but I remained calm. I raised my hands, prayed a strong prayer, and with authority I commanded healing! Does anyone want to guess what happened? Nothing! She kept groaning in pain, and I was frustrated. At that moment I did not see the miracle I had expected, but the lesson remained: NEVER SAY “NO” WHEN YOU ARE CALLED TO FULFIL THE PURPOSE!
Testimony 2
On another occasion, I was reflecting on my life and my purpose on this earth. I remember questioning several times whether I was on the right path. I asked God to show me what He wanted, and I felt in my heart to start a work with the homeless, bringing Bread and Love. I called 4 people to evangelise in the town square and start this work.
Everyone agreed, and it went on very well. Then we decided to go to other places where there were addicts, and the result was very good. It was time to take a new step and invite sponsors, because the church did not support the work at the time. One day I went to a wedding, and a very rich man sat in front of me. I was friends with his daughter, but I barely spoke to him. So I thought: I will ask, and God will touch his heart!
I told him about the project, and he replied: “Drop by the restaurant every Monday afternoon to pick up soup!” It seems he was already expecting me! That is how God works! From that week on, there would be soup for the homeless — and I believe you can guess what came after the soup! Many accepted Jesus, and the ministry grew so much that people from other churches asked to be part of it! The ministry is still there doing the work! The name of the group is “Love and Bread”. God bless them.
- God’s People Were Marked for a Purpose
Esther decided to obey. She entered the king’s presence, even at the risk of death. She fasted. She trusted.
She spoke when God told her to speak, and God did what no one else could do.
The same king who had marked the Jews for death by signing a decree now extends the sceptre to Esther.
Haman, who planned to kill Mordecai, ends up hanged on his own gallows.
The king’s ring changes hands and goes to Mordecai — the same man who once sat at the palace gate wearing sackcloth and ashes is exalted and becomes the second most powerful man in the whole Persian Empire.
“All his acts of power and might, together with a full account of the greatness of Mordecai, whom the king had promoted, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Media and Persia? Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews.” — Esther 10:2–3 (NIV)
- Conclusion
To close, I will share one detail about this book.
God did not raise up Mordecai merely to honour him. God raised him up so that he could serve, protect and bless an entire people. In the same way, God does not only want to give you a promotion, a better salary or a position of prominence. He wants to place you where your life points to Christ and brings about transformation, glorifying His name.
Jesus said: “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” — Matthew 5:16
You may stand up now, but I ask that you remain silent!
Just as Esther entered the king’s presence, risking her life to save her people, Jesus sacrificed Himself on the cross, giving His life to definitively save His people.
There is a difference: Esther risked her life — Jesus gave His life. Esther went before the king to ask for deliverance — Jesus went to the cross to win our salvation.
Perhaps you arrived here today feeling unlikely.
Perhaps you think God could never use someone like you.
But I want to tell you: you are where God wants you to be right now! Your neighbours, your work colleagues, your friends, your relatives need your testimony to have an experience with the same God you serve!
Esther was unlikely one. Daniel was unlikely one. Joseph was unlikely one. David was unlikely one. Mordecai was unlikely one.
The question is not whether God can use you — He has already proved He can. The question is: ARE YOU WILLING TO SAY ‘YES’?
Perhaps you have spent years asking: ‘God, why am I here?’ God is answering you today: ‘Because I placed you exactly where you are for such a time as this.’
Your job is not an accident. Your family is not an accident. Your university is not an accident. Your company is not an accident. Your story is not an accident.
God writes stories that no one can explain. May He write yours — for such a time as this. God bless you.