Imperfect People for a Perfect Work | Sunday, May 30, 2021

After these things, when the wrath of King Ahasuerus subsided, he remembered Vashti, what she had done, and what he had decreed against her... So it was, when the king's command and decree were heard, and when many young women were gathered at Shushan the citadel, under the custody of Hegai, that Esther also was taken to the king's palace into the care of Hegai, the custodian of the women. (Esther 2:1-8)

God writes His perfect story through imperfect people in imperfect circumstances—and He invites us to step in.

A Story That Stands on Its Own

The book of Esther is told as a story, and it's said that nothing tells a story better than a story. Jesus used parables to teach spiritual truths at a simple level. We remember the stories of our childhood because stories resonate with us. What is unique about this book is that it contains no references to God and no quotations of other Scripture. It is a story that stands on its own—yet it is a very important story.

One of the great underlying truths of Esther is that it is the story of the Jewish people and of how God is always moving toward fulfilling His covenant, even when circumstances don't look like it. God promised Israel they would be a nation, with descendants as numerous as the stars. He also said that if they honored and followed Him, they would be blessed, but if they chased foreign gods and were disobedient, they would be taken into captivity. In this story God's people are being led back to Israel; they are no longer in captivity, but many have lingered behind.

A Soft Spot for Israel

My teachings don't usually come with a disclaimer, but I have a soft spot for the nation of Israel. I have visited and fell in love with the land and the people—the many people groups of Israel. I still have many friends there, and I get the report not through the news but by email and phone call.

One of my special experiences was in the place many call the West Bank—it is Samaria. Outsiders call it a settlement, but it actually looks a lot like Rancho Peñasquitos, with beautiful homes and community centers. One special day my oldest daughter and I went up into the hills of Samaria and fulfilled Scripture by planting grapevines as part of a vineyard on a mountain. I'd love to see that grapevine again.

I also visited Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Museum. I was curious, the first one off the bus, and I've never had two hours of my life pass so quickly. I was deeply moved by the struggle of God's people. I grew up in a Jewish neighborhood, and one of my oldest friends told me the story in his living room of how the Nazis took and executed most of his family; only his great-great-grandparents got out, or his family line would have ended there. The amount of hatred it took to do that is something supernatural—beyond what man can conjure up. It is authored and sponsored by the enemy of God, the devil.

Most people don't realize that Israel is made up of many people groups. While I was there I saw Ethiopian Jews, met Mexican brothers and sisters speaking Spanish in the Old City, and have friends in Nazareth—Jesus' hometown—who run a fantastic, no-excuse Christian school where Jewish and Muslim, Arab and Jew, all learn about Jesus. They love the Lord and are about His business, and we support them as brothers and sisters in Christ.

I do not believe there has ever been a nation like Israel: the captivities, the foreign occupations, the attempts at genocide, the wars, and then a nation completely reforming in 1948. It is a miracle beyond miracles. It would take great effort to deny that God's hand is on Israel and His heart is with its people. I don't know exactly how His plan will unfold, but I know the fulfillment of the covenant will be Jesus. As we look at Esther, please pray for the peace of Israel.

Imperfect People for a Perfect Work

As we go through this, we want to stick to the main thing: this is the story of God, however unlikely the method and circumstances, working behind the scenes to bring about His covenant relationship with His people. God uses imperfect people in imperfect circumstances to do His perfect will. Make a note of that: God calls imperfect people in imperfect circumstances to do His perfect will.

King Ahasuerus ruled over 127 provinces—roughly from India to Ethiopia—arguably the richest, most powerful man on the planet at this time, with complete and absolute power. In the previous chapter he dismissed his queen Vashti because she refused to come out and display her beauty before his guests. So a decree went out, she was no longer queen, and they were looking for someone new—by a very unlikely process.

It makes no sense in our culture. I liken it to a mix between The Bachelor, the Miss Universe pageant, and a great virgin roundup. Think of it this way: one of the richest men in the world is Elon Musk—a character known all over the world. When they made Iron Man, Robert Downey Jr. actually followed Elon Musk around to study how one of the richest single men in the world acts. Imagine someone worth $152 billion; he suddenly becomes very attractive, intelligent, and desirable—and there are about 152 billion reasons why. King Ahasuerus isn't even a bachelor; he has hundreds of wives already, with nothing holding him back. We don't know if these women were forced or volunteered, but we know they were all rounded up.

Mordecai and Esther: Undercover Jews

We meet Mordecai, a Jew who appears to be an honorable man of influence, fourth-generation in Persian captivity. From the text it appears he was not very public about his faith. We also meet Esther, whose born name is Hadassah, meaning "myrtle" in Hebrew. The myrtle plant carried the connotation of hope—just as an olive branch represents peace. What a prophetic name, for the hope of Israel will rest on Esther in the chapters to come. Her name was changed to Esther, the Persian form, perhaps to cover up her Jewish identity.

This matters because of the time frame. Israel was being restored physically and spiritually through Nehemiah and Ezra, with King Artaxerxes' help. The idea was that all the Jewish people would return, rebuild, and repopulate the land. But some lagged behind. Though free to return, they dragged their feet—their lives where they were may have been comfortable, familiar, or profitable.

In a sense, both Mordecai and Esther are undercover Jews; their faith is not on the outside. Esther is asked to keep her Jewishness a secret even before the king, and notably, nobody else seems to know either. No neighbor ratted her out. They had assimilated so thoroughly that their identity as Jews was basically undetectable.

God Equips Whom He Calls

Now the young woman pleased him, and she obtained his favor; so he readily gave beauty preparations to her, besides her allowance... And Esther obtained favor in the sight of all who saw her. (Esther 2:9-16)

Esther is getting ready to be married to a Gentile—strictly forbidden by Torah. I don't believe she had a choice in this. Again, God uses imperfect people, perhaps even making imperfect choices, to accomplish His perfect will. And whatever we do, God fully equips us for His good work.

Esther was good-looking—she had to be something special. But Scripture also says she had favor with people. There has to be more than looks. Have you ever met someone so good-looking you almost resent them? Good looks open doors, but they can also turn people into people no one wants to be around.

I once had a friend, about 25, who got an odd job driving swimsuit models around to San Diego beaches for a modeling agency. He was thrilled. A week and a half in, I asked how it was going. He said it was one of the most horrible experiences of his life. The models were nothing like a still picture—they didn't eat, so they were always angry; they smoked to stay thin; they wanted everything done for them; they didn't even treat him like a human being. By the end he said he was tempted to drive the bus off the pier with all of them in it. The point: God's gifts, like good looks, can be wasted and even make us unpleasant. Esther was evidently not that person—there had to be something more.

A Pattern Through Scripture

This was not the first time God called someone good-looking to save Israel, but always with more than looks. Joseph was good-looking, yet he was also a trusted administrator, a dream interpreter, pleasant, and full of wisdom. Daniel had to be pleasant to look at to serve Nebuchadnezzar, but he could interpret dreams and lead with great wisdom. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—sometimes called the "three MBAs"—were gifted in administration as well as good-looking. In each case good looks got them through the door, but their gifts carried them.

Esther won favor with all the staff; they went out of their way to give her the inside track on what the king liked. She was obedient and took the head eunuch's advice on what to bring. I believe God's Spirit communicated with her, and she was an obedient person who listened for good counsel.

Think of it practically. My boss is Miles—who has a great wife. But imagine we were searching for a wife for Miles and found a godly woman. Having worked with him eight years, I know his likes and dislikes. I know his favorite candy is Reese's Christmas Trees. I'd have her show up with those, probably a steak, pulling up in a Tesla—his favorite car—holding an iPad and an iMac. If I know that much about my boss, these eunuchs surely knew far more about theirs. I believe Esther's kindness and humbleness made the king's staff want her to be their queen. She was also a local girl from near the citadel, and the staff was clearly on her side, even bending the rules to assure her a spot.

Inner Beauty Valued by God

Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. (1 Peter 3:3-4)

Inner beauty is valued by God. The qualities of a wife in Proverbs 31 mention nothing about looks. Many commentators believe Bathsheba authored this counsel to Solomon—a woman who, in her own analysis, failed her husband, describing the qualities she wished she had embodied.

Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her... She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands... She considers a field and buys it; from her profits she plants a vineyard... She extends her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy. (Proverbs 31:10-31)

She is trustworthy, industrious, loving, kind, compassionate—and not one of these recommended qualities mentions outward beauty.

God's Supernatural Plan and Our Obedient Response

By chapter's end God has equipped Esther for her task, with Mordecai coaching from the side and the entire staff pulling for her. We begin to see God's supernatural plan. Make a note: God's supernatural plan is our choice to obey. We can be part of that plan or simply walk away—step into the story or wish someone else were chosen.

The king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. (Esther 2:17)

Of hundreds of virgins already in the palace and hundreds more to come, she is favored.

When virgins were gathered together a second time, Mordecai sat within the king's gate... two of the king's eunuchs, Bigthan and Teresh... became furious and sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. So the matter became known to Mordecai, who told Queen Esther; and Esther informed the king in Mordecai's name. (Esther 2:19-22)

Something supernatural just happened. If you're going to assassinate a king, you don't talk about it in front of people—that's assassin 101. I believe it was a supernatural event that let Mordecai overhear this plot.

When God does something supernatural, it requires a response. When Moses encountered the burning bush, it required a response—walk away or engage. At the Red Sea, the people had to respond and follow Moses across. When Jesus healed the blind and the lame, people had to respond—some in awe gave their lives to Him, others dug in and called it demonic. Even at the crucifixion and resurrection, some mocked and tried to cover it up, while others followed God.

Sometimes we think too big about these moments. Sometimes the supernatural event is simply engaging someone who needs help, and a door opens to teach them about God's grace, mercy, and love.

Mordecai's Pivotal Choice

Mordecai had a choice. It was anonymous; nobody knew he had overheard the plot. He could have said, "I didn't vote for that guy. My life will be better if he's gone," and walked away with no one but God knowing. But when confronted with a supernatural situation, a response is required. Mordecai knew the answer lay in the most basic of God's laws: You shall not murder. If he had a chance to prevent a murder and to honor the authorities over him without breaking God's law, the choice was clear—and so was the risk.

Esther faced her own choice. Already queen, in favor, perhaps the richest woman in the world, she had to risk becoming the next Vashti—dethroned for almost nothing—or take the risk to save the king's life. She did the right thing, honoring and obeying first Mordecai and then God with the information He had supernaturally provided.

Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel... I did not speak to your fathers, or command them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices. But this is what I commanded them, saying, "Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you." (Jeremiah 7:21-23)

Mordecai's obedient response ends up being possibly the single most pivotal part of the entire story, as we'll see in later chapters—the choice that ultimately directs the path to save Israel. It also earns the king's faith and respect for Esther, who begins to transition from being treated as an object to becoming a trusted friend and supporter.

When a Life Is Bigger Than What We Own

On a Memorial weekend, we recognize that people sometimes make heroic sacrifices for the good of their community, family, and people. Sometimes history makes the man, and sometimes the man makes history.

One such man was Yonatan Netanyahu, born in the United States to a gifted, intelligent family. You may have heard of his brother, Benjamin Netanyahu, who served as Prime Minister of Israel for many years. Yonatan was good-looking, gifted, and excelled in everything. He attended Harvard, made the Dean's List—yet even as everything went his way, he had a heart like God's heart, loving the land and people of Israel. He left a life of prosperity and notoriety to return to military service, believing it was the young men of Israel who would defend the nation, its principles, and its people.

He served in the Six Day War, was decorated as a hero for saving lives, and was regarded as a brilliant military man and a literary genius. After being wounded, he returned to Harvard, but when war broke out again he told his father, "My nation and my people need me. Harvard is a luxury that I cannot afford," and returned to fight as a commando.

In 1976 a plane was hijacked by PLO terrorists and taken to Entebbe in Uganda. The terrorists separated the Israeli and Jewish passengers from the rest. You can't bargain with terrorists, so a raid was planned to free roughly 106 hostages. On July 4, 1976—while America celebrated its bicentennial—Yonatan Netanyahu and his commandos went into Entebbe. In the fighting that followed, one commando was killed: Yonatan, at thirty years old, a brilliant and precious life, gone. The entire nation grieved. Shimon Peres said the heart had been ripped out of one of Israel's best and brightest.

When we live in connection with God, it becomes apparent that sooner or later our lives are bigger than what we own—that there are tasks, missions, and supernatural things to engage. Living in connection with God means living in connection with one another, pouring into one another, and sometimes that means sacrifice. We do this knowing that God is always in the business of fulfilling His promises and covenants, both to Israel and to you and me. Are you part of that plan? God bless you.

Closing Prayer

Lord, thank You so much that we learned so much from the rich history of Israel, and from Your love for them and how You are steadfast and steady—even when You are denied, even when You are mistreated, even when, Lord, we worship other things, other gods, You're still there. We thank You for Your steadfastness, we thank You for Your mercy, and we thank You for Your grace. In Jesus' name we pray.