For Such a Time as This: The Sovereign’s Sovereign

One Year Bible (Aug. 19)

Esther 4:1-7:10

The Sovereign’s Sovereign

“If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will DIE. Who knows if perhaps you were MADE QUEEN, For Such a Time as This…” (Esther 4:14)

“Sovereign” means “supreme ruler with ultimate power”. Today’s message is filled with different people vying for superiority or power. There is an underlying tension of plots, plans, pretense, and providence at play…

We cannot begin to see what is “REVEALED” until we first look at what is “HIDDEN”.

First, we see a HIDDEN SOVEREIGNTY. Throughout the entire book of Esther, the name of God is NEVER mentioned even once, making the book of Esther unique as it is the ONLY biblical book to not mention God. Why do you think this is so?

Secondly, there is a HIDDEN NATIONALITY. Queen Esther’s heritage, history, true identity, and Jewish name is hidden at the advice of her guardian and cousin, Mordecai.

“Esther had not told anyone of her nationality and family background, because Mordecai had directed her not to do so. Every day Mordecai would take a walk near the harem's courtyard to find out about Esther and what was happening to her.” (2:10-11)

“Esther continued to keep her family background and nationality a secret. She was still following Mordecai’s directions, just as she did when she lived in his home.” (2:20)

Her name was changed to the Persian name Esther. She was kept in solitude and confinement in a Harem. No one was to know she was Jewish which means that this would affect her kosher diet, worship, and more than that, her purity. She was given over to an ungodly Gentile. We can be certain this would give ALL Jewish people pause.

Thirdly, there is a HIDDEN AGENDA. Haman, the man behind the plot to destroy the Jewish people in the book of Esther was a direct descendant of King Agag an Amalekite. How is this significant to the safety of the Jewish people? Listen to the warning given about them…

“Remember what the Amalekites did to you along the way when you came out of Egypt. When you were weary and worn out, they met you on your journey and attacked all who were lagging behind; they had no fear of God. When the LORD your God gives you rest from all the enemies around you in the land he is giving you to possess as an inheritance, you shall blot out the name of Amalek from under heaven. DO NOT FORGET!” (Deuteronomy 25: 17-19)

Did the Israelites remember God’s warning to them? We see that Saul, son of Kish, is the “second hidden” king in this story. In I Samuel 15 we read where Saul ignored the strict instructions of God from Samuel and allowed King Agag’s lineage to continue.

Here is our next hidden fact… Mordecai, a Jew, was a descendant of Kish and he is not about to bow in worship to the enemy of God, an Amalekite. You see, even before Haman made his threat to exterminate all the Jewish people, the seed of hatred was there smoldering hidden below the surface.

The anti-Semitic spirit had been embraced, it seems, through Queen Vashti, and now would rear its ugly head through Haman.

As you can now see, this is a multi-layered story of secrets and surprises where names are not mentioned, but the underlying real hidden enemy was Satan. This was another attempt to wipe out Israel and prevent the Messiah from being brought through the promised lineage of Israel.

Lastly, there is a HIDDEN REQUEST. Does it seem a little strange that Queen Esther would invite Haman, the enemy of her people to a banquet after THREE DAYS of PRAYER and FASTING, and then she does NOTHING? She just invites him to come back for another banquet. This certainly seems odd. Yet, there is a plan that is HIDDEN from HUMAN EYES.

How in the world is a little Jewish girl, named Hadassah chosen as the Queen of Persia?

She is obscure with a hidden identity, nationality, and name. We see that she gained the goodwill of the chief eunuch, “Hegai was very impressed with Esther and treated her kindly. He quickly ordered a special menu for her and provided her with beauty treatments.” (2:9)

(I wonder if he ordered her Jewish menu for her… Hmmm) “Her sweet and amiable appearance made her a favorite with all who looked upon her.” (2:15)

“And the king loved Esther more than any of the other young women. He was so delighted with her that he set the royal crown on her head and declared her queen instead of Vashti. To celebrate the occasion, he gave a great banquet in Esther’s honor for all his nobles and officials, declaring a public holiday for the provinces and giving generous gifts to everyone.” (2:17)

In summary, a HIDDEN GOD uses a HIDDEN IDENTITY to stop a HIDDEN AGENDA and honors a HIDDEN REQUEST!

God’s name may be HIDDEN in this book, but his fingerprints are all over this story!

How does Esther go from “Harem to Heroine”?

In the midst of all the “HIDDEN EVIL”, God REVEALED his plan through a young Jewish girl whom HE indeed “MADE QUEEN”.….

She was “The Sovereign’s Sovereign”!

“Who knows if perhaps you were MADE QUEEN, For Such a Time as This…” (Esther 4:14)