?Esther 3:8-11; 13-15; 4:12-17. Although God is not mentioned at all in the book of Esther, it is almost impossible not to see His hand at work though out the book. The time is a number of years after many of the Jews returned to Jerusalem after their time of exile (586-516 BC). Probably more Jews made their home in Babylon then had returned to Israel. The account is concerned with those who remained behind. It is helpful to see how God works in the overall dynamics of the situations to preserve His people. Drunk king Xerxes didn't like the way his queen responded to his request to dance before him and his guests, so, under the counsel of his advisors, he divorced her. When he realized what he had done, he had a large number of virgins selected and groomed for 12 months. From these he would choose his queen. Esther, a Jew, "happened" to be among the virgins. She was chosen. Haman, one of the king's nobles (recently promoted), couldn't stand it when Mordecai (Esther's uncle) wouldn't bow down when he passed by. Haman devised a plan that on a certain day all the Jews in the realm would be annihilated. The edict went out to all provinces. When Mordecai learned about it he sent a message to Esther regarding the edict, reminding her that she was not immune, "And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this." It was through her actions that followed that the Jews were saved. None of this just happened. Our God is in control of history, and of the daily situations in our lives. Could we be a key element of what God is doing in our time. Were we placed where we are "for such a time as this." If we fail, will God's plan be eternally spoiled? (See Esther 4:14) No, God's plan will not fail, but we may miss our part of the blessing God had in mind for us. Be in the Word, listen to the Spirit, live in obedience to Him.

For Such A Time As This