Those familiar with the Old Testament book of Esther will know that God is not directly mentioned in the book. Yet the book's ironic events imply God's sovereign activity. Those actions are clear examples of the truth the Apostle Paul had in mind when he wrote in I Corinthians 1:25 "The weakness of God is stronger than men."
As Jon Bloom wrote in an article found on desiringGod.org, "Woven through Scripture and church history is a consistent and counterintuitive pattern: God cedes the positions of greatest worldly power and influence and wealth to His enemies--those who 'take their stand....against the Lord and against His Anointed' (Psalm 2:2 NASB)--and then, through the most improbable, unexpected means, overthrows His enemies and redeems His people. He lets Haman build the gallows, and then hangs him on it."
Craig Keener has summarized well the ironic actions found in Esther.
Vashti's misfortune underlines Esther's favor. Queen Vashti loses her crown by refusing to come before King Ahasuerus (NIV, Xerxes) despite his order (1:12,19). Esther comes before the king despite this action being prohibited, and receives royal favor (5:2). Vashti loses her position in the context of the king's banquet (1:3,12); Esther is crowned at a banquet (2:17-18) and receives extravagant favor at two more banquets (5:6; 7:2).
The wicked Haman brings about his own destruction (Prov. 1:8). Haman plots against the Jews, unaware that the queen is Jewish. Indeed, as queen of Persia, Esther is still obeying her Jewish relative, Mordecai, who raised her (2:20). What Haman seeks for his own honor instead honors Mordecai (6:6-10); what Haman plots as Mordecai's public execution becomes his own (7:10; 8:7); what Haman plots against the Jews comes on their enemies (9:1-5). Esther ends up with Haman's property (8:7); Mordecai ends up with Haman's position as vizier to the king (8:2,7,15; 9:4).
Recently we received news from brethren who are living and ministering in Darfur, and the events relayed in their report made me think of Esther and Haman. Some background in required. Omar Bashir, the recently deposed president of Sudan, conspired in 2003 with various parties to start a war in Darfur. He recruited extremists from surrounding countries for the militia he created for his personal war. That fighting came to be labeled a genocide by the international community; the first of the 21st century. It resulted in over 300,000 deaths and the displacement of over 2 million of Darfur's citizens. He had personal wealth and power in mind. Bashir now sits in prison, and the new government is dismantling his personal empire.
Since 2003, many of those hundreds of thousands of Darfurians who fled to other countries have received Jesus as Lord. While in those countries, a large number of them seized the opportunity to attend a Bible school, and some even qualified for a seminary education. They also began to partner with Christian organizations which supplied them with leadership development, scriptural resources, and financial assistance, which in turn enabled them to reach many other Sudanese who are also refugees. Being forced into exile ended up affording them opportunities which would have been denied them had they never left Darfur.
Some have already returned to Darfur and have used their training and the resources given them to do widespread sowing of the Gospel. Only God knows how many residents of Darfur have received Christ since their return, but the opinion of those on the ground is that the number is large. The actions of Bashir and his minions have created a hunger in the hearts of many and when they hear the Gospel of Jesus, they realize it is the message for which they have been longing.
Recently, our friends in Darfur told us that a group of local religious leaders (Imams) had incited their maternal uncles to meet with them and warn them to walk away from the Gospel and return to their traditional religion. They reported that the meeting started out hostile, but ended up well after those men heard their testimonies.
After those Imams returned home, they soon discovered that many of their own family members had already received Jesus as Lord because those very people went to them and boldly told them of their new found faith and of their commitment to stand firm, no matter the cost.
So as our friends put it "the plans of those men have backfired on them. Their opposition to us has created fires within their own homes."
Those who rely on violence and deceit to achieve their desired ends will sooner or later hang on the gallows of their own creation. Human history is "His Story," and the Lord's purposes will stand.
David
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