ESTHER by F. D. Starr

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Sep 7, 1904

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 36.

ESTHER

By F. D. Starr

BY F. D. STARR.

The golden text of this book is found in the sixth verse of the sixth chapter. “What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honor?” Esther is one of the women whom the Lord honored by permitting her name to stand at the head of one of the inspired books. The statement that “fact is stranger than fiction,” is demonstrated in this book. What romance could equal, in thrilling interest, this wonderful narrative?

One peculiarity of the book is, that while it is a part of that Scripture that was written by inspiration of God, yet His name is not referred to in the book. In no way is the Deity mentioned, neither by the use of the terms, God, Lord, Jehovah, nor any other expression. Yet the book reveals its Author no less distinctly than any other inspired productions of Holy Writ.

Written revelation is not the only means by which its Author makes Himself known to men. “The heavens declare the glory of God.” He is revealed in the works of His hands. And there are still other methods by which His existence and His goodness are displayed. His providential dealings with the race constitute another infallible proof of His presence and His power. And it is in this capacity that He most clearly reveals Himself in the book of Esther. Let us carefully note the various incidents of a mysterious and surprising character that reveal the presence of that Providence that “moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform.”

In the first place, it was very strange that Esther, a humble orphan, of a despised and oppressed race, should be chosen by Ahasuerus, the sovereign of a universal monarchy, to succeed Vashti as queen. When, on Mordecai’s account, it was determined to annihilate the entire nation of the Jews, the hand of Providence is seen in the selection of the day for the execution of the dreadful sentence. It was postponed about as long as could possibly be done. And how? and why? The Persians were a superstitious heathen people who believed in consulting the gods in regard to every project upon which they entered. So the favored time for exterminating the Jewish race must be determined by casting lots under the direction of these heathen oracles. “In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar.” Esther 3:7. So the day designated by lot was not in the next month, nor the month following, nor the fifth, sixth, nor any other month, till we come down to the last month in the year, putting it off about as long as it was possible to do, and giving the Jews a chance, if there were any chance, to get relief from some source. Who can fail to discern the leadings of Providence in this? By this delay, deliverance might be wrought, and was wrought, for the people of God.

We will have a chance here to see how “all things work together for good to them that love God.” Was it not a noteworthy incident that the man who should discover the dastardly plot to assassinate the king, should be the unassuming servant Mordecai? Ch. 2:21–23. Why was it thus ordered?—Because this incident was to constitute a very important factor in solving the problem concerning the deliverance to be brought to Israel.

After the three days of fasting and prayer appointed by the queen and Mordecai, Esther ventured unbidden into the presence of the king. Death seemed to stare her in the face as the result of this action. The Septuagint version says she fainted and fell in the presence of the king, which we can very readily see might be the case, after her three days’ abstinence from food while undergoing such intense mental agony. But again Providence favors the poor afflicted supplicant. The monarch is favorably disposed toward the intruder. The golden scepter is extended, and the trembling queen is granted a hearing. “What is thy request? it shall be given thee to the half of the kingdom,” is the assurance that greets the ears of the queen. Now surely is the golden opportunity for her to tell the king about the terrible death sentence which is hanging over her head, and the heads of all her kindred. But wait; God’s ways are not as our ways. The only request she is led to make is that the king and Haman may come to the banquet that she had prepared for them.

At the banquet the same royal proposition is made that the queen should make her request known, and that it would certainly be granted. But, wonderful to tell, she is providentially restrained from thus prematurely divulging her heart’s desire. Her simple request is that the king and Haman shall come the next day to a similar feast. Now comes in a most wonderful interposition of Providence. “On that night could not the king sleep.” What kept him awake?—Ah, an unseen visitant. But what shall the king do to while away the sleepless hours? The customary way would be to resort to instruments of music, to call in the royal band, but the providential way in this case, is to call for the book of records, from which they should read to the restless monarch. Strange course to be taken, and stranger still that when the royal scroll is opened, the providential selection that is made for the entertainment of the king, is the afore-mentioned record of the invaluable service of Mordecai in exposing the would-be murderers of Ahasuerus.

“What honor and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this?” is the agitated inquiry of the monarch. When he learned that no reward had been given, he decided that his loyal subject should be royally remunerated. The king desires assistance from some one who can suggest some adequate recompense for the one who has saved his life. Learning that Haman was in the court, his services are called into requisition as one capable of devising something commensurate with the services rendered.

While the king had been thinking about Mordecai, Haman’s mind was also occupied with a plan concerning this same humble individual, a plan of the most fiendish design. This suggests to our minds the fact that the eye of Infinite Benevolence, as well as that of supreme malignity is resting upon the humble earth-dweller, who is made a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men, the one to insure his deliverance, the other to accomplish his ruin. Sublime reflection indeed!

The second feast that Esther prepared, furnished the proper occasion for presenting her request, which was that her life and that of her people might be granted. The events of the preceding night had prepared the king to make the proper decision of this question. Had she presented her petition the preceding day before Providence had prepared the way, another decision might have been given. And it is very likely that the project of Haman to hang Mordecai on the gallows would have been granted by the king if his attention had not been providentially called to the faithful service this loyal subject had rendered.

But what shall be done with the man whom the king delighteth to honor? Let us transfer the scope of our view from terrestrial to celestial regions. When the king of glory shall come, before Him shall be gathered all nations, and the King shall say to those on His right hand, “Come, ye blessed, . . . inherit the kingdom prepared for you.” The semblance of royalty indulged for a few hours was the highest honor that earthly power could seem to bestow; but to reign actually through coming ages, is the inconceivable reward to be bestowed by the King eternal.

Let us be faithful to our trust that this divine honor may at last be bestowed upon us. Let us not fail to discern the lesson of the providential dealings of God with His people that the perusal of this book affords us. Remember the King delighteth to honor His faithful subjects.