(Written by me as I studied the book of Esther recently)
The story of Esther shares unique parables that hold valuable insights for the church, and where the church stands in history today.
While reading the story of Esther, many parables and teachings can be brought forth out of its pages, but the greatest teaching that comes to life from this book is that what the enemy intended for evil, God took the actual evil intent instead using it for good. Haman meant to destroy the entire nation of the Jews including Mordecai, but instead the very trap he set and intended for Mordecai became his and his ten son’s own death chamber. Death and destruction that was meant for the Jews, instead became the Jews’ road to becoming conquerors over their enemies.
Genesis 50:20
But as for you, ye thought evil against me;
but God meant it unto good,
to bring to pass, as it is this day,
to save much people alive.
The greatest example of this verse in scripture is found at Calvary… just as the point of Jesus’ death looked bleak, hopeless, and all forever lost, instead it became the greatest turning point in the history of mankind. What the enemy intended for evil, instead became the greatest stepping-stone to victory for the church.
Even though lies, destruction, death and torment are the enemy’s weapons that he uses against the kingdom of the Lord, God can take the very destructive forces that are meant for evil, using their very evil nature and turn them into something far more powerful and greater than what the enemy created them for.
An important concept in the story of Esther that needs to be understood is that the king’s decree could not be reversed, or taken away, but instead a greater decree was issued to override the old decree. Just as the old law given in the OT could not be reversed or taken away, a greater law through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ brought about a greater good that superseded the old Mosaic law, bringing into effect the law of the Spirit of Christ.
Romans 8:2
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus
hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
In the book of Esther, Mordecai is a type of Christ with the stark difference being that Mordecai didn’t die, but Christ did. Christ came into this world, and was hated, scorned, and despised of men. He stood for what was right, when everyone else was bowing to the religious order of the day. He came to rule and reign, yet was hated of all and death was sought for his life. In an incredible turn of events, Christ actually died and rose again, triumphing over death, hell, and the grave, and turning the enemy’s kingdom upside down. What was meant for mourning and sorrow at Calvary, was turned into joy and rejoicing, feasting, and a time of remembering what Christ accomplished at Calvary with the Day of Pentecost.
Esther is a type of the church… weak, and afraid at times. Esther begged Mordecai to take off his sackcloth and ashes, but he would not. She told Mordecai the serious consequences should she go before the king with her request. Then Mordecai said to her these words:
Esther 4:14
For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time,
then shall there enlargement and deliverance
arise to the Jews from another place;
but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed:
and who knoweth whether
thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
The famous words of Mordecai pushed Esther to do the right thing. Without the encouragement of Mordecai, she would not have been able to do what she had been called to do. But with his encouragement, she prevailed, and said these famous words:
Esther 4:16
Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan,
and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day:
I also and my maidens will fast likewise;
and so will I go in unto the king,
which is not according to the law:
and if I perish, I perish.
Esther found the strength to do what she was called to do because of Mordecai’s influence in her life. She overcame the weakness of her worst fears which brought her to a place where she was able to freely speak to the king, without fear. When the church binds together in fasting and prayer, great and mighty things are accomplished in the kingdom of God.
Today, we have that promise in the kingdom of God… we no longer have to be ruled by fear, but we can be overcomers because of what Christ accomplished for us at Calvary. Mordecai encouraged Esther, even as Christ encourages and stands behind His church and leads us with strength, honor and wisdom, in spite of the adverse onslaught of our enemy.
Because of Esther’s stand, the enemy’s plan came to naught. Notice that Mordecai did not bring about the change in the king’s heart, but it was Esther. Esther is a type of the church, and God has called us, and told us what we must do. It is the church’s responsibility to fast, pray, and stand for the truth. The church has been called for such a time as this, and our hearts must be determined that if we perish, we perish. We must stand for what is right, not back down, and remember that we are called to fast, pray, and stand for truth in the darkness of the age we live in.
Because Esther was obedient to the call God had placed on her life, the enemy’s greatest plan to destroy the children of Israel did not come to pass. The edict against the church has not changed, satan still wants to destroy us, but the church has been given a triumphant victory over the kingdom of satan, and we don’t have to fall under the sword of satan’s schemes, but we can stand strong, and defend ourselves. This is a time of rejoicing, of feasting, and giving of gifts. It is a time of thanksgiving, praise and glory to God for the incredible turn of events that took place at Calvary. No longer do we have to live in fear of death, but we now have been given tools to overcome, fight back, and stand our ground.
Our battles with the enemy’s schemes continue to this day, but there is a marked difference. Because of Calvary, we have been given tools to fight back, to stand our ground, and stand victorious against the wiles of the enemy.
Even as the Jews rejoiced because of how their lives had been spared, so we too should rejoice.
Esther 9:16-22
But the other Jews that were in the king's provinces gathered themselves together,
and stood for their lives, and had rest from their enemies,
and slew of their foes seventy and five thousand, but they laid not their hands on the prey,
17 On the thirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the fourteenth day of the same rested they,
and made it a day of feasting and gladness.
18 But the Jews that were at Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth day thereof,
and on the fourteenth thereof; and on the fifteenth day of the same they rested,
and made it a day of feasting and gladness.
19 Therefore the Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns,
made the fourteenth day of the month Adar
a day of gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another.
22 As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies,
and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy,
and from mourning into a good day:
that they should make them days of feasting and joy,
and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.
The Jews celebrated the miraculous turn of events with three days of rest, feasting and gladness. Indeed, they also sent good portions (gifts) one to another and sent gifts to the poor. Because of the incredible way God sent redemption and protection to the Jews, forever they gather on Purim to remember and celebrate what the Lord did for them.
There is great cause for celebration and joy that continues in the church today, because we have been set free from the death sentence of the enemy, and instead we can have overcoming power and victory to face the onslaught of the enemy in his attempt to destroy the church. He will never succeed in his attempt.
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