In chapter 2, verse 5 of Esther, we find Mordecai introduced as the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite. And Haman is introduced in chapter 3 as an Agagite. The Lexham Bible Dictionary says that his identity as an Agagite possibly refers to an ancient enemy of Israel. In fact, “Agag” was the Amalekyte king that Saul was supposed to kill, but Samuel instead hacked king Agag to pieces in 1 Samuel 15. Could it be that Haman is a descendant of this very Agag, and God is going to war with Amalek just as the Lord swore to “blot out the memory of Amalek from under Heaven” in Exodus 17:14? I have heard it further suggested that Mordecai, since he is a Benjamite, is likewise a descendant of Saul, the first king of Israel.
Regardless, these potential facts make for an interesting theme for Esther as a footnote in the Old Testament narrative. The point of Esther could be said to be not only God’s providential care for the Jews in the midst of their exile, but also the destruction of an ancient enemy. The ending of the book is Purim, the festival named for “lots,” the presence of which represents the sovereignty of God over chance in the fortunes of our lives.
So, I offer this reflection as I prepare for my next sermon which will cover this very book. God may be silent, but He is sovereign still. You may be praying for specific things. God always responds in just the needed way. That may be hard to swallow! God doesn’t always seem to work all things together so wonderfully! But that shows how little our scope is able to take in. I am convinced that if we knew all that God knows, we wouldn’t question his providence.
Feel free to doubt me, but I am convinced that the healthiest perspective is to yield up what you fear most He will take from you, and surrender your life, health, and prosperity to the care and dictates of the very God who doesn’t hold your dearest treasures in His hands only by your permission. The fact is that He is infinitely good. Rest assured, brothers. He will not take from you without replacing what He has taken temporarily for a vast and better good when all is said and done. I am convinced. Esther and Mordecai mourned and despaired thinking all was lost, and God simply rolled the dice.
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