For Zion's Sake

The Jewish festival of Purim presents a timely opportunity to reflect on the book of Esther and what it can teach us today. Esther reminds us of God’s faithfulness in uncertain times and of the importance of standing with the Jewish people amidst rising global antisemitism. The book highlights God’s commitment to His chosen people, consistent with the Abrahamic covenant, and it shows that judgement awaits those who seek to harm the apple of God’s eye (Zech. 2:8). It serves as a call for the unveiling of the Church on the issue of Israel, rather than hostility or even apathy. Additionally, it comforts and assures us that God is working even when we feel He is hidden.

The story involves a young Jewish girl named Hadassah who lives amongst the Jewish diaspora in Persia (Est. 2:5-7). Hadassah finds favor with the Persian king and becomes queen while concealing her Jewish identity (Est. 2:8-10). Her Persian name Esther reflects this hiddenness. The root word of Esther in Hebrew is hester, which means “hidden”.[1]  With the encouragement of her relative Mordecai, Esther reveals her identity at a crucial moment to intervene on behalf of the Jewish people (Est. 7:3-6). This comes after Haman, an official of the king, instigates a decree to destroy the Jewish people, provoked by Mordecai’s refusal to bow down to him (Est. 3:1-7). Upon discovering this, Mordecai entreats Esther to intervene on behalf of her people and warns that she herself is at risk of perishing if she doesn’t act (Est. 4:8-14). Heeding Mordecai’s warning, Esther risks her life by approaching the king without first being summoned (Est. 4:16). The king responds favorably to Esther by reversing the decree and ordering that Haman be hung on the gallows originally intended for Mordecai (Est. 7:7-10). The Jewish people subsequently gain victory over those who sought their destruction (Est. 9:16). Purim marks the celebration of these events (Est. 9:21-28).

Esther is the only book of the Bible that does not explicitly mention God, yet God’s divine providence is just as evident in this story as others. By not mentioning God, the author may have intentionally sought to make a theological point about God’s faithfulness even amidst supposed silence and uncertainty. Esther shows that even when God seems hidden, we can trust that He is in control and actively working in the background. Additionally, the exilic conditions experienced by the Jewish diaspora in Persia did not annul God’s irrevocable covenant with His people. In a period of perceived hiddenness, God proved He was faithful to His covenant with Abraham. Correspondingly, when the Jewish community in Persia was at risk of annihilation, God orchestrated events to preserve His chosen people.

Key moments in Esther point to God’s providence. In the most famous passage of the story, Mordecai exhorts Esther to act and intervene on behalf of the Jewish people. Mordecai’s suggestion that Esther may have been placed in the royal family “for such a time as this” points to God’s providence, despite his alleged hiddenness: “For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. Who knows? Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this.” (Est. 4:14). This suggests that Esther was placed in the palace at the right time and at the right place to deliver her people. It was an act of divine intervention rather than coincidence. This demonstrates the faithfulness of God to His people even during times of suffering and silence. It shows that even when we do not feel we are hearing from God directly, we can trust that He is orchestrating events, and that He is faithful to His promises as expressed in scripture. Circumstances will work together and come to fruition at the right time for God’s glory, even when we don’t initially discern it. Like Esther, we must prepare to act when God calls us to do so, even at the expense of our own lives.

Even more interesting is Mordecai’s warning to Esther that if she chooses to remain silent, deliverance will rise for the Jewish people from another place, and Esther and her family will not be exempt from the consequences: “Do not think to yourself that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish…” (Est. 4:13-14). Mordecai’s remarks about the inevitability of relief to the Jewish people and warning of judgement on Esther’s household point to God’s promise to preserve a remnant of the Jewish people throughout history as part of His ultimate plan of redemption (Isa. 4:2; 10:20). Mordecai demonstrates trust in God’s redemptive plan, even when it appears all hope is lost. He remains confident that God will preserve the Jewish people, whether Esther acts or not. In fact, Esther’s own salvation stands in jeopardy if she continues to hide her identity in God and refuses to intervene for the Jewish people.

Mordecai likely envisioned God’s covenant promise to Abraham to bless those who bless him, and curse those who curse him (Gen. 12:3), as well as His promise to eventually bring Israel back from exile (Deut. 4:29-31). God’s promises serve as the backdrop for Mordecai’s remarks and his actions. Mordecai demonstrates awareness that God works in the background during periods of silence, consistent with His faithfulness to His promises. It is Mordecai’s faith in God’s covenant that compels him to confidently remain obedient and to trust that God would deliver His people. This empowered Mordecai’s refusal to bow down to Haman, consistent with the first commandment (Est. 3:1-6). Mordecai remained faithful to God’s word and refused to bow down to anyone but the one true God. This has echoes of the story of Daniel, who also interacted with Persian kings, and would not compromise on obedience to God’s law even at risk of losing his worldly blessings.

Notice that Mordecai was not hearing from God directly through an audible word or vision but was nonetheless standing firm based on what God had promised in scripture. When fellow believers tell us that they hear God’s voice, it can lead us to wonder why we don’t experience the same. However, this does not mean God is silent in our lives. We may experience perceived hiddenness so our faith can be tested or simply because the answer is in God’s word itself. We must not forget that the Bible is the primary way which God chooses to speak to us today. Mordecai does not hear directly from God, but nonetheless trusts in God’s promises to the patriarchs. Similarly, we should trust in the word of God and His promises when He appears silent. As Jesus remarked: “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe” (John 20:29). This implies that God expects a faith in Him which is not dependent on sight or sound (Heb. 11:1).

Mordecai’s example also reminds us to boldly stand for Christ and remain obedient, even in the face of adversity and feelings of divine hiddenness, knowing that we can trust God, and that He will reward and redeem us for doing so. Our hope should not be in this fallen world but rather the redemption to come. We should take Mordecai’s example seriously and heed the warning that if we do not align ourselves with God’s will, redemption will come from elsewhere and we ourselves will perish (Est. 4:14). We are called to be faithful and obedient to God even during suffering, and this very faith amidst weakness is what glorifies God.

Meanwhile, Esther’s actions exhibit the importance of not hiding our identity in God and standing up for what is right even at the potential cost of our own lives. Esther initially hid her identity as a Jew (Est. 2:10), but eventually revealed this and acted in obedience while facing pressure and adversity. Further, Esther accepted that her destiny could result in a loss of her life in this world: “Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish” (Est 4:16b). We should similarly stand firm in our faith and follow Christ’s calling, even in the face of persecution. We should strive to follow the example of Esther, particularly in a culture and world which is increasingly at odds with biblical values. This also calls to mind Christ’s warning: “But whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.” (Matt. 10:33).

Additionally, I believe this is a call for Christians to stand with the Jewish people, consistent with God’s promise to Abraham to bless those who bless him and curse those who curse him (Gen. 12:1-3). Mordecai’s warning about redemption coming for the Jewish people elsewhere if we don’t act, and warning Esther of the consequences of inaction, reflect similar warnings for touching the “apple of God’s eye” throughout scripture (Gen. 12:3, Zech. 2:8, Joel. 3:1-3). It shows that we cannot merely be silent but must be active and take initiative when it comes to aligning with God’s will and standing up for what is biblically right. The story of Esther shows God will use human initiative to bring about His unfolding plans, but we must ensure our actions are indeed consistent with God’s purposes if we wish to inherit eternal blessings. We are at risk of judgement if we squander opportunities from God to stand firm in His promises.

Our culture today has similarities with Persia in the time of Mordecai and Esther. They lived amongst pagans following the Babylonian exile, at a time when God seemed silent and inactive in their lives. Amidst such a culture, they remained faithful to God when it mattered. Similarly, we should strive to remain obedient to God rather than compromise or be conformed to the patterns of this world (Rom. 12:2). God’s word is living and active, and His promises will come to pass, so we must strive to be a light even as the days get darker. Additionally, the very fact that there were Persians who were eager and willing to follow Haman’s decree shows that culture was also plagued by antisemitism (Est. 9:1). Such decrees do not arise in a vacuum or without public support or apathy. We are at risk of following a similar pattern, with many willing to unquestionably follow the anti-Israel sentiments perpetuated in mainstream culture and on our streets.

We cannot remain “hidden” when it comes to our faith in Christ, nor can we remain silent in the face of growing hatred towards the Jewish people. Many Christians today remain apathetic or hostile concerning Israel. On this crucial issue, Christians must strive to model Esther and Mordecai rather than remain silent bystanders. Mordecai warns that we are not only judged for working against the Jewish people, but also for being silent and apathetic, which is what Esther was at risk of doing. Paralleling Joel 3:1-3, Jesus gives a similar warning about the consequences of inaction for those who fail to minister to His brothers. (Matt. 25:31-46). Additionally, standing silent or showing indifference in a culture growing increasingly hostile to Israel is not in accord with the Church’s role to be a salt and light – a calling which implies active participation, rather than silence.

By opposing the Jewish people, we risk being in opposition to God’s plans for worldwide redemption. In fact, Paul warns we are at risk of being cut off if we act arrogantly towards the Jewish people: “Do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will He spare you.” (Rom. 11:18-21).

We must heed Paul’s warning and not be arrogant towards the Jewish people as Haman was. Haman’s ultimate end, like other historical figures who have attempted to destroy the Jewish people, foreshadows the ultimate judgement that awaits such figures. Haman is only one agent used by Satan in his desire to destroy the seed of the Messiah and thus disrupt God’s purposes for the redemption of the world. This is rooted in the enmity between the seed and the serpent in Genesis 3:15. Esther is only one episode in this unfolding drama, and we must stand with God in this drama rather than Satan and his agents like Haman.

In Zechariah 12:2-3, God warns of a time when Jerusalem will become a “cup of staggering” and all nations will be gathered against it: “Behold, I am about to make Jerusalem a cup of staggering to all the surrounding peoples. The siege of Jerusalem will also be against Judah. On that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples. All who lift it will surely hurt themselves. And all the nations of the earth will gather against it.” (Zech. 12:2-3). The ultimate application of this event is eschatological. However, we can see events moving in this direction, with Israel and especially Jerusalem being subject to disproportionate focus and vitriol among the nations. How we stand against this today will train us for how we stand against it when the eschatological events do come upon us. It is important that we start exercising these obedience muscles now in the Church.

Esther encourages us to remain faithful to God amidst the storm and warns us of the consequences of standing against His chosen people. However, not only those actively hostile to the Jewish people will be judged, but also those remaining hidden on this issue. This is what Mordecai’s warning to Esther indicates. We must heed this warning and work to confirm our actions with God’s plan for Israel. We must be a light amidst a rising tide of evil and hatred towards the Jewish people. We must cling to God’s word, including His promises for Israel, even when it seems that all hope is lost.

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[1] https://www.chabad.org/theJewishWoman/article_cdo/aid/367185/jewish/Esther-Hidden-Beauty.htm