Reflective Essay: Esther
Nathan Mitchell
OBST515: Old Testament Orientation I
November 7, 2023
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Esther is faced with a choice that looms large in the redemptive plan of the Jews. The
timing of Esther’s presence in Persia was no coincidence; it’s clear it was divinely orchestrated.
God was in the process of bringing His people home and showing His faithfulness to them. King
Cyrus declared Jews could return to Jerusalem in 538 BC, and Ahasuerus reigned between 486
and 465 BC.1 This plan to exterminate the Jews would have been a death blow to the exiles who
had just returned to rebuild the temple. Esther’s story shows the determination Satan has to wipe
out the Jews, but also how God is the saving, sustaining force behind the survival of God’s elect.2
Esther had a choice whether she would be a part of God’s plan or not, evidenced by this
statement from Mordecai, “relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place”
(Esther 4:14, English Standard Version). But she ultimately decided to trust in God and be
faithful. The context of Esther, as far as who was king, was important, as Ahasuerus consistently
allowed other people to influence his decisions, causing him to waver on matters.3 The story of
Esther shows how individuals are placed in specific circumstances not by mere chance but by
God’s design for His purposes. We are given a choice whether we will be faithful to the
opportunity. If Esther had been with a different king or in a different family, her outcome might
have been different. If the events in the preceding chapters, such as Vashti declining the invite
and Mordecai hearing the assassination plot hadn’t happened, then Esther would not have been
put in the same position.4 Not to minimize personal responsibility, but God would have
1 Gary M. Burge and Andrew E. Hill, The Baker Illustrated Bible Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker
Books, 2012), 440.
2 Victor P. Hamilton, Handbook on the Historical Books: Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Samuel, Kings, Chronicles,
Ezra-Nehemiah, Esther (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2008), 540.
3 Burge and Hill, The Baker Illustrated Bible Commentary, 440.
4 Hamilton, Handbook on the Historical Books, 540.
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ultimately provided and protected His people even if Esther failed. However, there have been the
loss of life and further issues for the Jews if Esther had not stood up.
For me, I believe that the ministry to students I get to work in every day in the specific
church/city/state I am in is an opportunity designed by God. I look back on how God
orchestrated events and used my choices to get here, and I see His hand in all of it. I get to
preach the good news of Jesus Christ to students every week as every day we get closer to Jesus’
return. God has placed me where I am to interact with certain people and not only share the
Gospel with them but equip them for kingdom work as well. I am part of His redemptive
mission, and no matter how small the choices are, they could have an eternal impact. Just like
Esther and the personal risk she took, I am trying to live out my life according to the words of
Jesus, “whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find
it” (Matt. 16:25).
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Bibliography
Burge, Gary M., and Andrew E. Hill. The Baker Illustrated Bible Commentary. Grand Rapids,
MI: Baker Books, 2012.
Hamilton, Victor P. Handbook on the Historical Books: Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Samuel, Kings,
Chronicles, Ezra-Nehemiah, Esther. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2008.
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