Esther 2:17

This was a plain step in the working of God behind the scenes on behalf of the Jews.

People have often noted that the name of God is not found in the Book of Esther. This is characteristic. God does not show Himself. The government of the world had fallen to that throne. But behind its power and its mistakes, God holds the reins by His providence. He watches over the carrying out of His purposes, and over everything needed to fulfil them. And He cares for His people, whatever their condition and whatever the power of their enemies.

The corrupt customs of those days brought large numbers of beautiful young women together at Shushan for the king. Out of them all, Esther won everyone's favour. It was fairly certain that one woman would win the king's favour. But Esther won more than that. She also won the favour of the king's chamberlain, and indeed "of all who looked upon her." So she was lifted at once into a position of extraordinary influence.

Without any effort or desire on her part, she becomes the favourite wife of the Persian king. And she had already decided, like Daniel, to keep her separation to God from the customs of the people, even in that Gentile court. She will owe man nothing. It is the Lord, and not ornaments, who gives her favour in the eyes of all who see her. The king himself is won, and the royal crown is put upon her head.

Esther the Jewess became the wife of the man who held supreme power. The king acknowledged her in public and set the crown on her head. He acknowledges her as queen, but who she really was had not yet come to light. Mordecai, who in fact had all authority over her, had told her not to make her birth known. It will be the same at the time of the end. Before the Lord acknowledges in public where His Jewish wife came from, He will have her as a despised and persecuted remnant, not yet shown to the world. She will still find grace in the eyes of many. But her Husband will know her beauty before He can present her to the world.

This book is not only about God's secret providence, at a time when He could not name His name for His people, the Jews, poor and scattered among the nations. It is also a picture of the great dealings of God still to come. The great Gentile wife of the great king is discarded, and then comes the striking fact that a Jewess takes her place... Vashti is the Gentile wife discarded for her disobedience, and for her failure to display her beauty before the world.

We see the Jewish wife handed over by force to the king of the Gentiles, like a slave someone disposes of without asking her! Her will counts for nothing in this marriage. She is forced into it. Every other young woman in the empire might have wanted such a position very much. Esther could not want it.

Whatever we think of Mordecai or of Esther in this matter, Scripture is silent here. It neither accuses nor excuses. And we do not wait long before the vital question is raised. The Jews must either perish or be delivered — beyond all outward hope, and yet with no sign, wonder, or miracle.