Today's Readings - Esther 5-6, Acts 18:18–28, Psalm 86:9–17, Proverbs 18:9–10
Devotional
Esther is a strange book. It recounts some strange behavior from Esther and Mordecai; actions hard to square with the Law of God. But the oddest thing is that from the first verse to the last God's name is not mentioned a single time. How strange that a book of the Bible, inspired by God, free from error, should fail to even once mention the God who is over all.
But though God is not mentioned in the book, he is certainly present in it. He is working behind the scenes, in the background, accomplishing his purposes and protecting his Chosen People from yet another genocidal maniac. The sovereign God of the universe may be unseen and unmentioned in this book, but he is ever-present.
Chapter 6 is one of the funniest stories in the Bible. Haman hated Mordecai so much that he went off the rails and schemed to destroy all the Jews in the kingdom. He devised a plot and suckered the king into signing off on it. But in the meantime, while God was at work behind the scenes to protect Israel from destruction, he also was working to bring the haughty and hateful Haman down a few pegs.
The king had a sleepless night and took to reading the chronicles of days gone by - a sort of stroll down memory lane. He came upon a story of a plot against him that was foiled by Mordecai, who informed palace officials of the plan. The assassination attempt failed, the traitors were hanged, and life went on. The king asked his attendants if anything had been done to honor Mordecai for saving his life, and they told him no. So, the king determined to right this wrong and honor his savior.
He approached Haman, his top adviser, the next day and asked him how he should go about giving a proper fete for someone he desired to honor. Haman immediately assumed that the king was going to honor him - enamored of his own greatness, he could not imagine the king had anyone but Haman on his mind - so he came up with a plan, recorded in Esther 6:8-9.
"Let royal robes be brought, which the king has worn, and the horse that the king has ridden, and on whose head a royal crown is set. And let the robes and the horse be handed over to one of the king's most noble officials. Let them dress the man whom the king delights to honor, and let them lead him on the horse through the square of the city, proclaiming before him: ‘Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor.’”
He could hardly wait for the parade to start, probably already daydreaming of the glory he would feel as he was paraded through the city square with people cheering him. But then, the king spoke words that cut deep into Haman's heart. Look at verse 10.
“Hurry; take the robes and the horse, as you have said, and do so to Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king's gate. Leave out nothing that you have mentioned.”
Be honest. Wouldn't you love to see a recording of the look on Haman's face as the king said that. The man he hated most in the world would be honored with the parade he had designed for himself. Not only that, Haman was tasked with leading him through the streets and bestowing this honor. It was the worst day of his life (up until in his effort to get revenge on Mordecai he brought about his own death - but that story comes later).
Bad luck, eh? No. No. No. This is not a world of coincidence and luck. It is a world run by a sovereign king. Sometimes his work is clear and plain - manifest for all to see. Sometimes, he is the sovereign unseen who works behind the scenes to accomplish his purposes, protect his people, punish his enemies, and glorify himself.
You may not always see God's work, but he is at work. You may not always understand God's plan, but he has one. You may not always hear God's voice, but he is speaking and working and acting and guiding. Just because he is sometimes unseen does not change the fact that he is the sovereign over all.
Father, I thank you for those times your work is clear and plain. But I also know there are times when your hand is unseen and your plan is unclear. Help me to trust you, serve you and obey you whether everything is clear and plain or there is fog and clouds block the light.
Think and Pray
Do you find yourself, at times, wondering if God has forgotten your number?
Remember that even when God's work cannot be seen, even when he is silent, his plans and purposes are being worked out and his sovereign hand is in control.
Thank him by faith even if (especially if) you cannot thank him by sight.
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