The New is in the Old concealed: Esther - Fri 8 Dec

This is a genuinely thrilling story which grips me every time I read it. It’s full of suspense and intrigue, plot and counter-plot. It’s set in the period when the Jews were in exile in Persia. There’s no room for me to give you a summary of the story, so make sure you read the book for yourself. Let’s have a look at the three main characters:

1. Esther was an orphan, raised by her cousin Mordecai. He raised her as his own and was faithful in teaching her about the God of Israel. She was a beautiful child and was entered into a competition to be the new queen. (A modern parallel would be a contest to find a wife for prince William! Would we submit contestants?) She was the favourite of the king and duly became queen. In that position she was a “sleeper” – she was advised to keep quiet about her Jewish roots until the time was right. She must have had some sense of destiny; 4:14 says: and who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this. When asked to go before the king to intercede for her people, she utters these immortal words: if I perish, I perish! 

    

2. Mordecai was a modest, humble, faithful man, but very wise, politically astute and capable. He gave himself to raising his cousin and training her in the ways of God. He was an attendant at the king’s court and sat at the king’s gate. He had his ear to the ground and in a position of influence. He continued to be Esther’s mentor when she was queen and kept her feet on the ground when things began to heat up. When Haman was promoted to number two in the land and commanded people to bow before him (compare with Matthew 4:8), Mordecai refused and hence provoked the crisis that forms the core of the story. He was aware of the spiritual dimension so instigated a time of prayer and fasting for the deliverance of the Jews. He and his people escaped death and he was appointed second in the land.

    

3. Haman is the villain of the piece. He comes across as arrogant, self-seeking, proud, full of self-importance, seeking his own glory. His desire to have people bowing before him provoked the crisis that led to his downfall. His obsessive hatred of the people of God led him to instigate their genocide. (See John 8:44)  The tables were turned on Haman, however, when he had to honour Mordecai in public, and when he was hung on his own gallows.

    

This is a story of spiritual conflict and great deliverance. It’s a story of God putting his people in strategic places. How then is the New Testament revealed to us in this story? Can we pick up the theme of “kinsman-redeemer?” Do we see glimpses of Jesus in the life and witness of Mordecai? Do we see glimpses of the church in the life and witness of Esther? No prizes for working out who is represented by the abominable Haman!

Happy digging!