Esther: A story about...? (Week 4)

The story of Esther is a masterfully woven narrative, full of drama, reversals, and unexpected turns, yet it is most remarkable for what is not said: God’s name is never mentioned. Yet, as we trace the events of chapters 8, 9, and 10, we see God’s fingerprints everywhere. The story unfolds with Esther’s courageous intervention, Mordecai’s rise, and the Jewish people’s deliverance from certain destruction. Even after the villain Haman’s death, his evil decree lingers, threatening the very existence of God’s people and, by extension, the promise of the Messiah. Esther’s wisdom and bravery lead to a new edict, allowing the Jews to defend themselves, and hope is restored.

Throughout these chapters, the narrative echoes earlier biblical stories—Joseph, Daniel, and the Exodus—reminding us that God is the master of reversals. What was meant for harm is turned to good. The Jews’ refusal to take plunder, even when permitted, is a deliberate reversal of Saul’s disobedience, transforming their battle into a holy war. The celebration that follows, the feast of Purim, is not just a commemoration of survival but a joyful recognition of God’s unseen hand at work, turning sorrow into joy and rest from enemies.

The book of Esther is not just ancient history; it is our family story. Whether Jew or Gentile, all who belong to Christ are adopted into this lineage of faith. The absence of God’s name in the text mirrors our own experience in a world where God is often unmentioned and miracles seem rare. Yet, like the Jews in Persia, we are called to look for God’s fingerprints in the ordinary and the extraordinary, to trust that he is working behind the scenes even when we cannot see him.

Esther’s story encourages us to remember and celebrate God’s saving acts, especially the ultimate reversal in Christ’s death and resurrection. It calls us to hospitality, generosity, and care for the poor, and to believe that we are placed in our own time and place for God’s purposes. As we reflect on Esther, may we continue to seek God’s presence in our lives and trust in his sovereign work, even in the silence.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s Presence in the Silence: The deliberate omission of God’s name in Esther is not an absence but an invitation to look deeper. In a world where God is often unmentioned, we are challenged to discern his presence in the subtle, ordinary, and even in the silence. Faith grows as we learn to recognize God’s fingerprints in the events and coincidences of our lives, trusting that he is always at work, even when unseen. [13:03]
• 2. The Power of Reversal: God specializes in turning the tables—what is meant for evil, he transforms for good. The story of Esther, like those of Joseph and the Exodus, reminds us that God’s providence can overturn the darkest situations, bringing hope and deliverance where there was only despair. The greatest reversal is found in Christ, who turned death into life for all nations. [23:53]
• 3. Faithful Obedience and Holy Restraint: The Jews’ refusal to take plunder, even when permitted, is a profound act of obedience and a reversal of past failures. True faith is not just about seizing opportunity but about discerning what honors God, even when no one else is watching. Our choices in moments of power reveal the depth of our trust in God’s ways over our own. [24:28]
• 4. Remembering and Celebrating God’s Deliverance: The institution of Purim is a call to remember, to celebrate, and to give thanks for God’s saving acts. Our own celebrations—whether feasts, communion, or acts of generosity—are opportunities to recall God’s faithfulness and to share his goodness with others, especially the poor and marginalized. Remembering is not nostalgia; it is fuel for present faith and future hope. [26:09]
• 5. Living as God’s People in a Secular World: Esther’s story is a reminder that God’s people often live in places where he is not named and his ways are not recognized. Yet, we are called to be salt and light, to trust God’s purposes in our placement, and to act with courage, wisdom, and compassion. Our faithfulness in exile—trusting, serving, and seeking the good of others—can be a testimony to God’s ongoing work in the world. [30:26]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [11:53] - Introduction to Esther’s Final Chapters
• [12:22] - Questions Raised by Esther
• [13:03] - God’s Name Omitted, God’s Presence Highlighted
• [14:06] - The Story’s Characters and Plot
• [15:07] - Haman’s Evil Lingers
• [15:49] - Esther’s Plea and the Second Decree
• [16:47] - The Jews’ Right to Defend Themselves
• [17:46] - Hope and Unexpected Conversions
• [18:14] - God’s War and Ancient Enmity
• [19:21] - Fear of the Jews and Fear of God
• [21:25] - The Day of Reversal
• [22:53] - Refusing the Plunder
• [24:45] - Feasting, Rest, and Joy
• [27:38] - Establishing Purim
• [28:24] - Mordecai’s Leadership and Blessing the Nations
• [29:17] - Esther’s Significance for Us Today
• [30:26] - Looking for God’s Fingerprints in Our Lives
• [31:14] - Remembering God’s Saving Work
• [32:33] - Who Is Esther Really About?
• [33:34] - God’s Purposes for Our Time
• [33:50] - Closing Prayer

Bible Reading

Primary Text: — Esther 8–10

Additional Passages: — - Genesis 50:20 (ESV): “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”
- 1 Samuel 15:19 (ESV): “Why then did you not obey the voice of the Lord? Why did you pounce on the spoil and do what was evil in the sight of the Lord?”

Observation Questions

1. In Esther 8, what new decree does Esther ask the king to issue, and how is it different from Haman’s original decree? ([16:29])
2. What repeated phrase in chapters 9 and 10 shows the Jews’ restraint after their victory? Why is this detail emphasized? ([22:53])
3. According to the sermon, what are some of the “reversals” that take place in these chapters, and how do they echo earlier stories in the Bible? ([23:18])
4. What is the purpose of the feast of Purim, and how are the Jews instructed to celebrate it? ([27:38])

Interpretation Questions

1. The book of Esther never mentions God’s name, yet the sermon says God’s fingerprints are everywhere. Why might the author have chosen to leave God’s name out, and how does this affect the way we read the story? ([13:03])
2. The Jews refuse to take plunder from their enemies, even though they are allowed to. What does this act of restraint say about their faith and their understanding of obedience? ([24:28])
3. The sermon draws connections between Esther’s story and the stories of Joseph, Daniel, and the Exodus. What do these connections teach us about God’s character and how he works in history? ([23:18])
4. The celebration of Purim is described as more than just remembering survival—it’s about recognizing God’s unseen hand. How does remembering God’s past deliverance fuel present faith and future hope? ([26:09])

Application Questions

1. The sermon says that in a world where God is often unmentioned, we are challenged to look for his fingerprints in the ordinary and the extraordinary. Can you think of a recent situation in your life where God’s presence was hidden but real? How did you recognize it, or how might you look for it differently now? ([30:26])
2. Esther and Mordecai acted with courage and wisdom in a secular world. Are there places in your life—work, school, family—where you feel like God is not named or recognized? What would it look like to be “salt and light” in those places this week? ([33:34])
3. The Jews’ refusal to take plunder was a quiet act of obedience when no one was watching. Is there an area in your life where you are tempted to “take the plunder” (do what you can get away with), rather than what honors God? What would faithful restraint look like for you? ([24:28])
4. Purim was a time of feasting, generosity, and care for the poor. What is one practical way you could celebrate God’s faithfulness this month—either through hospitality, generosity, or serving someone in need? ([32:13])
5. The sermon reminds us that remembering God’s saving acts is not just nostalgia, but fuel for faith. What is one way you can intentionally remember and celebrate God’s work in your life this week? ([31:14])
6. The story of Esther is described as “our family story” for all who belong to Christ. How does seeing yourself as part of this bigger story change the way you view your own challenges or opportunities? ([29:17])
7. The greatest reversal is found in Christ’s death and resurrection. How does this ultimate reversal give you hope in situations that seem hopeless or out of your control? ([24:13])