Unpacking Sunday's Sermon: Esther

The book of Esther makes for an interesting read. It is a rag-to-riches story that adds court intrigue, violence and heroism.

One thing you may find strangely absent is any mention of God. 

The lack of divine mention may explain why "not one commentary was written on Esther during the first seven centuries of the Christian church" and why reformers like Martin Luther "wish[ed] out loud that the book had not come to us at all." (Peter Lee "The Book of Esther: A Silence so Loud, it is Deafening") 

The book is only encountered once in the 3-year cycle of the Revised Common Lectionary.

God is not mentioned in the book of Esther. And yet is has been preserved in the canon of Holy Scripture. And I'm glad that it has. For in Mordecai's questioning of Esther ("And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”) the reader is invited to consider God's summons in their own life. 

The reader is invited to consider whether God may have a specific job or assignment admist of all of lifes joys and duties.

Could it be that your job is something more than a way of finding personal fullfilment while earning a living, but that God has placed you in this company at this particular moment to speak boldly to management about their treatment of employees? Could it be that you role as grandmother goes beyound providing support and enjoying that smiling grandchild, but warning your children about making idols of their family?

The book of Esther invites us to consider God's calling. And then it gives us an example of courage. Did you notice that when Esther is persuaded to confront the King, she has no illusions about the dangers: “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me... When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”. Esther realised that she had to do something. She also realised that it was risky and carried a great cost. In the end she was convinced that it was a task she could not avoid.

How many people will never challenge their boss for fear of losing their employer's good favor? How many grandparents will never confront their adult children for fear of being judged zealous or deemed old-fashioned? Many people choose comfort and ease over the challenge of obedience. But when we listen to God's leading we join ourselves to God's purposes andbecome the instruments of God's hand. And if we don't, well as Mordecai suggests, someone else will be given the task (see Esther 4:14).

So why would we want to miss out?

image from Sweet Media "Book of Esther Chapter 5-8"