Purim represents more than costume parties for kids and eating triangular cookies filled with fruit (called “Haman’s Ears”). The holiday remembers the historical event in the book of Esther where the Jews survived a plot to exterminate them.
My favorite part of the modern celebration of Purim includes the reading of the book of Esther. Amazingly:
The story of Esther is built on a growing series of seeming coincidences, all of which play essential to the story.
God is never seen or spoken of—yet He works quietly behind the scenes, orchestrating His sovereign will.
Just like in our lives.
Mordecai spoke these words to Queen Esther to urge her to appeal to the king on behalf of her people.
Do not imagine that you in the king’s palace can escape any more than all the Jews. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this? —Esther 4:13-14
Mordecai’s question presupposes that providence placed Esther in a place of influence for a specific purpose. When I think of the land of Israel, I see Mordecai’s principle written large.
The land of Israel sat in a strategic position as the only intercontinental land bridge between the superpowers of the ancient world.
Israel remained for millennia the crossroads for international imperialism, war, and trade.
I find it fascinating that when world powers traveled through Israel during biblical days, God’s people would either influence these foreigners or be influenced by them.
As in Esther’s story at Purim, we often don’t see God explicitly involved in our lives. At times, it’s like He’s not even there. But we see in Esther God silently working behind the scenes through seeming coincidences.
Esther found herself in a place of influence, providentially placed to do what was right in a culture dead-set to do wrong.
God has placed you where you are—wherever that may be—to accomplish the same thing.
Tell me what you think: Why do you think God has placed you where you are? To leave a comment, just click here.