A Time Such as This
The book of Esther is a complicated but compelling story. The plot, with all its twists and turns, would make a great movie. Interestingly, there is no mention of God at all in the book—which probably points to the book’s overarching meaning.
An orphan, Esther becomes queen to King Xerxes through questionable means. Her cousin Mordecai, who had raised her, commanded Esther to not disclose her Jewish identity, presumably to not hinder her chances of winning the contest to be queen. However, after Esther becomes queen, Mordecai learns of a scheme to have the king sign an edict that will result in the annihilation of all Jews in Persia. Mordecai warns Esther of the plan, urging her to use her political connections (her marriage) to save the Jewish people. Esther, however, is reluctant to help, fearing her husband, the king. Mordecai then responds to Esther by saying, “For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Now persuaded by Mordecai, Esther discloses to the king that she is a Jew; the king issues a superseding edict; and the one who devised the scheme finds himself hanged from the gallows that he had built for Mordecai’s hanging. What a story!
“A time such as this.” How does this apply to us? First, our God is purposeful (Prov. 19:21, Job 42:2, and Col. 1:16). Second, within that purpose, God has a special and personal plan for each of us (Jer. 29:11, Eph. 2:10). Third, God uses us despite our imperfections—broken, constantly falling short of his glory—to fulfill his plan for us and accomplish his purpose. (See, for example, Moses, who struggled with insecurity and a speech impediment; David, who committed adultery and murder; Rahab, a prostitute; and Paul, who persecuted the early church.)
To be candid, it is often easier to “go along to get along” than share your faith with someone. One finds it imprudent, inconvenient, or even embarrassing to do such things or even admit you are a Christian. Yet, we are “ambassadors for Christ” (2 Cor. 5:20), and we are commanded to be a Christian presence in this fallen world so that those who do not know him now may later glorify him at his second coming (1 Pet. 2:9–12). Indeed, we are commanded to stand out—to be salt and light (Matt. 5:13–16).
We may not know God’s plan and should not expect to do so (Ecc. 11:5). However, as the book of Esther shows us, we can be assured that God is working out his plan “behind the scenes” although we may not “feel” his presence at the time. As Christians, we are all planted in this particular place and specific time of God’s sole choosing to be used by him as He fulfills his plan for us for his redemptive purpose. So the next time we have the opportunity to share the good news to a stranger or even a friend or we have the opportunity to pray with an unbelieving colleague but are scared or embarrassed to do so, let us remind ourselves of Mordecai’s words to Esther: “Who knows whether you have been placed in this particular position for a time such as this?”
Carter