Things Written Aforetime For Our Learning - The Story Of Esther.

by N.D.W.Miller | Category: For Young Believers | Oct 1933

CHAPTERS 2. AND 3.

Before Esther left the side of Mordecai he charged her that she should not shew "her people nor her kindred." He believed in " a time to speak" ; and in "a time to keep silence." The taking of Esther must have left a tremendous blank in the home of Mordecai. Though she still lived in his heart, she was no longer in his home. And as we noted, Esther's entering the king's house meant one of two things--either success, or failure. Success-dare Mordecai even think of it, held out untold possibilities. But for Esther-apart from the providence of Israel's God, it looked very hopeless. Failure on the other hand, could only mean life-long resignation to "the second house of the women."

Esther was not only outwardly "fair and beautiful" there was an inward charm, there was grace. She possessed "the incorruptible apparel of a meek and quiet spirit"; her manner of life was chaste ; and it was coupled with fear. Hence it was that "Hegai keeper of the women " at once noticed the great contrast between the reserved and humble maiden who was brought before him in the charm of unspoilt modesty, amid all the other bedecked and bejewelled aspirants for the king's favour.

Esther "pleased" Hegai, "and she obtained kindness of him ... and he removed her and her maidens to the best place of the house of the women ... Now when the turn of Esther ... was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai ... appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her. So Esther was taken unto King Ahasuerus into his house royal ... in the seventh year of his reign."

It was a momentous moment. Momentous for Esther; for Mordecai; for the Jews in Shushan; for the Jews in the provinces; for succeeding generations; for king Ahasuerus himself; and for the lengthening of the tranquillity of his kingdom in a day to come. God was keeping watch. "The eyes of the LORD are in every place."

What about prayer up to this point? Like God's Name, it is never mentioned. But did Mordecai never pray? Had Esther never prayed? I believe they did, oft and fervently. And as for God-

Deep in unfathonable mines

Of never failing skill,

He treasures up His bright designs,

And works His sovereign will.

And so it came to pass that "the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti." "Made her Queen"! From the dwelling of Mordecai to the royal palace and throne of Persia. What a change! What an overwhelming honour! Though altogether unthought of at that moment, yet how true was the word afterward spoken-"Who knoweth whether thou art not come to the kingdom for such a time as this ?

Such elevation was enough to "turn" any young head. How few could have carried the honour. It takes the steady hand to carry the full cup. But what of Esther? Is she forgetful now of all but the gratification of self, and selfish aims? What of Mordecai in his anxious pacings to and fro before the king's house day by day? Think of it, Esther is no longer Mordecai's little "housewife," she is now queen of the realm. Will her training stand such a test? How delightful it is to read that " Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him." Such was the bent of her mind and heart-she was void of pride of position. In the installing of Esther as queen, "the king made a -

great feast unto all his princes arid his servants, even Esther's feast." And when, to celebrate the august occasion the king - "made a release to the provinces," and "gave gifts according to the bounty of the king," we may be sure it pleased the generous young heart of Esther even more than it pleased the many throughout the realm who benefitted by her elevation to the throne.

As we have already said, the unique characteristic of the book of Esther is the fact that God's Name is never mentioned. But how much of God's sovereign hand have we been able to trace thus far? "The powers that be are ordained of God" (Romans 13.). And "the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will" (Daniel 4.). And so it was, without a doubt, in the providential raising up of Esther. God chooseth the weak things of the world to confound the things that are mighty. And Esther was raised up that she might be instrumental in the preserving of her scattered race. Hence it was that "in those days," we read, "while Mordecai sat in the king's gate, two of the king's chamberlains, Bigthan amid Teresh, of those which kept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay hands on the king Ahasuerus. And the thing was known to Mordecai, who shewed it unto Esther the queen; and Esther told the king thereof in Mordecai's name. And when inquisition was made of the matter, and it was found to be so, they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king."

That this was written-and written in Mordecai's name was no mere chance. God had a purpose in that entry. Ahasuerus might have honoured, or rewarded, Mordecai on the spot for having "saved the king's life," and there the matter would have ended. But not so. "It was written," and what was then written, was, in God's watchfulness, to play a very big part in the after defeat-not only of Haman the Agagite, the Jew's enemy, but in the defeat of Satan himself--God's enemy.

Time Devil hates what God loves. The covenant-people, the Jews-amid God's pleasure in them (in spite of all their failures) incurred Satan's fierce hatred. And so, at this very time, we read that "After these things did king Ahasucrus promote Haninan the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him." Haman means Magnificent. This stands out in hold contrast to the meaning of Mordecai----" little man."

In the promoting of Haman at this particular time Satan's wiles and strategy are clearly seen. No sooner is the fair and gentle Jewess raised up to where Satan fears she may influence Ahasuerus, than he begins to work for the advancement of the Jew's enemy-one whom he knows to be the malignant foe of

God's ancient people.

The wiles of the Devil, as indicated in Ephesians 6., are traced out with method-methodised-within all his art, and skill, and cunning.

So Haman was advanced to the seat of power, that under Satan's artful guidance, the influence of Esther, whatever it might be, would be outbalanced. Behind the scenes the battle for supremacy had more than begun.

"And all the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, bowed down, and did reverence to Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not down, nor did him reverence.

Mordecai's attitude not only incurred the fierce anger of Haman, but it puzzled his fellow-servants who were in the king's gate as well. Here, surely, was a flagrant case of disobeying the king's command; but what is the explanation? "He had told them that he was a Jew." To the orthodox Jew there could be no bowing down* to man nor image of any kind after -that fashion-God alone was to be thus worshipped and served. (See Exodus 20. 5; Deuteronomy 5. 9; Acts 10. 2(3 ; Revelation 13.). In this case the principle of Acts 5. 29, must operate. On Mordecai's part there was no sneer-no supercilious curl of the lip-his attitude was due, I submit, to that which lay deep within his heart-the fear of the LORD. He would willingly take risks, if need be, to save

the king's life; but to bow down or cringe before Haman-never. Thus, eyes were upon him, and " it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, amid line hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman ... he was a Jew." A Jew! A wretched and despised Jew! The anger of the Agagite knew no bounds Haman "was full of wrath." So, while "he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone ... Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai." The

*In chapter 3. 5, Mordecai bowed not down" to Haman. In chapter 5. 9, Mordecai Stood not up for Haman. Many understand that Mordecai would not pay homage to an Agagite, one of the race against whom Jehovah had sworn that He would have war from generation to generation (Exodus 17. 16), Hence in his day Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before Jehovah in Gilgal

Devil's purpose was to make a clean sweep. You remember, in a later day, when he " sought the Young Child's life," he "slew all the male children that were in Bethlehem " and round about.

And so, to satisfy his revengeful and bitter spite, Haman nursed his plans for weeks and months, and all the while stole his way into the confidence of the king. His "month was smooth as butter, but his heart was war: his words were softer than oil, vet were they drawn swords " (Psalm 55. 21). And thus, in covetousness, with feigned words, did Haman the Agagite the Jew's enemy, seem in a fair way to make merchandise of the king. Ten thousand talents of silver would not be too much to pay for the destruction of the man, and of the people, he hated; but not a word must lie utter about his own hatred-his dread purpose must he accomplished by lying and misrepresentation. One thing however, it must be through - it must be extermination or nothing, and that in one day.

Time has been moving on, for we read that " In the first month, which is the mouth Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Hanian from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month." So for that whole year he waited, until the fateful day was chosen-the thirteenth day of the twelfth month. Then, when the favourable moment presented itself, "Haman said unto king Ahasuerns, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces

of thy kingdom ; and their laws are diverse from those of every people ; neither keep they the king's laws : therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them. If it please the king, let it be written that they be destroyed ; and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver ... into the king's treasuries. And the king took off his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the Agagite, the Jew's enemy. And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee." Fatal moment for Haman, though he knew it not! And what will he do? What is the prospect that the wicked Haman gloats over? Nothing short of annihilation for Mordecai and his people.

N.D.W.Miller | Oct 1933
For Young Believers