Closer Day By Day

We’ve finally come to the last history book!

There’s something very strange about this book though, let’s read and see if you can figure out what it is.

Bible Passage:  Esther 1-5

Have you realised what is strange about it?

Not because of the fact that the main character is a female (though that is pretty rare ) but have you noticed there is no mention of God at all?

In fact, it pretty much reads like a romantic historical thriller, with the heroine rising from obscurity to become queen then becoming embroiled with some sinister plan and overcoming the ambitious villain to bring about a happy ending.

The book’s place in the Bible has been challenged by some because of this and two explanations have been offered.

First, the author may have chosen to use the absence of God’s name in the book to express God’s distance from the exiles that did not return to the land of Israel yet reveal God’s protection of them at the same time.

Second, the author may have written the book in the form of a Persian state chronicle in order to explain to the Persians the Jewish celebration of Purim thus emphasises the king’s name, titles and lists but writes about the Jews in a detached tone.

However, the word ‘may’ in both explanations tell us they are but educated guesses at best. What we know for certain, however, is that it has been canonised in the Bible thus we believe that it is part of God’s message for us.

What can we learn from the fact that God’s name is not mentioned in the book though?

Very simple actually, we have to be sensitive to Him. God’s works and words are evident to those who are sensitive to Him. Just like how God is not mentioned in the book of Esther but we still see His works and hear His words.

It also clues us in on the very simple fact that God is in control of everything regardless of the people who do not believe in Him. In fact, these people are like those who, in bright daylight, close their eyes and say ‘There’s no sun, no sun!’ Strange aren’t they?

What about Esther then? What can we learn from her?

Her Name

And Mordecai had brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter, for she had neither father nor mother. The young woman was lovely and beautiful. When her father and mother died, Mordecai took her as his own daughter. (Esther 2:7)

Esther’s Hebrew name is Hadassah, meaning ‘myrtle’ and her more well-known name, Esther, means ‘star’.

She truly lived up to both her names!

The myrtle plant is one used for its fragrant essential oil and the star, well, it shines doesn’t it?

From Esther’s obedience, contentedness, courage and wisdom, we see how she gives off the fragrance of a God-fearing person (2 Cor 2:15) and shines brightly so much so that she found favour with all those around her.

We can say she is able to do so because of the choices she made.

Her Choices

[...] she requested nothing but what Hegai the king’s eunuch, the custodian of the women, advised [...] (Esther 2:15)

[...] for Esther obeyed the command of Mordecai as when she was brought up by him. (Esther 2:20)

Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai: “Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!” (Esther 45:15-16)

Aren’t you impressed with her? Such brave words which she followed with action as well.

Like I mentioned earlier, Esther was not born a noble or a special person. She might have been beautiful but we can be quite sure there were others as beautiful if not more beautiful.

In fact, if she had made different choices, the story might have ended completely differently. Like Mordecai told her, if she had remained completely silent, relief and deliverance would arise for the Jews from another place. Her story might not have been in the Bible.

However, because she chose to do what was right and do what God placed her in the palace to do, we know of her thousands of years later.

Truly a case of ‘it’s our choices that define us’ and an example to learn from.