Bible Study

Just for your thoughts.

*The Book of Esther — *Bible Study 5*
*Expository Commentary on the Book of Esther*

*What Was the Greatest Turning Point in Esther’s Life?*

The Book of Esther is a unique book in which the name “God” or “Yahweh” is never directly mentioned. The feast of Purim, which was not commanded by God, is recorded in this book; yet it continues to be celebrated by the Jewish people even to this day.
One of the major reasons this book holds a place in the Old Testament is because Esther, according to God’s sovereign purpose, thwarted the plan to destroy the Jewish people whom God had foreordained to preserve.
Although this was ultimately God’s divine purpose, Esther fully cooperated with that purpose through her obedience and submission. The fulfillment of God’s will in this world involves both the sovereignty of God and the obedience of man working together.
Esther’s life was filled with many turning points. Let us look at them one by one:
1. Vashti Was Deposed and Esther Was Made Queen
2. Hegai’s Favor
Esther found favor in the eyes of Hegai. He immediately provided her with beauty treatments and special food. He also assigned to her seven chosen maidens from the king’s palace and moved her and her attendants to the best place in the harem.
3. Hiding Her Identity as a Jewish Woman
4. Haman’s Plot to Destroy the Jews (Esther 3:8–13)
5. Mordecai’s Timely Words — “For Such a Time as This...” (Esther 4:14)
Mordecai’s words, “Who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” helped Esther realize the true purpose behind her becoming queen.
6. Going Before the King Uninvited (Esther 5:1–2)
After three days of fasting, Esther risked her life and went before King Ahasuerus. The king extended his golden scepter toward her, and death was avoided. The hand of God was clearly evident.
7. Revealing Her Identity During the Banquet
Esther pleaded, “Spare my life and the lives of my people.” By revealing her nationality and exposing Haman, she paved the way for Haman’s downfall and the deliverance of the Jewish people.
8. The Establishment of the Feast of Purim (Esther 9:20–32)
The Feast of Purim was established to commemorate the deliverance of the Jews.
Esther’s life was not merely a personal story; it became the story of the deliverance of an entire nation.
Although all these events are important turning points, we must understand that there was one event even more significant than all the others. We find it in Esther 2:20:
“Esther had not revealed her family and her people, just as Mordecai had charged her; for Esther obeyed the command of Mordecai as when she was brought up by him.”
— Esther 2:20
*Even after becoming queen and attaining the exalted position of being the wife of the emperor of the Persian* *Empire, Esther continued to obey the counsel and instruction of Mordecai, the man* *who had raised her and helped bring her to that position. This, in many ways, was the greatest turning point in the entire book.*
*She did not forget the foster father who had raised, guided, and shaped her life. Without pride or* *arrogance over her royal status, she continued to listen to his counsel. This humility* became one of the defining moments of her life.
On one hand, Esther faithfully fulfilled her responsibility as the wife of an emperor; on the other hand, she maintained love, honor, and loyalty toward the foster father who had raised her. She balanced both responsibilities wisely.
Had she isolated herself within the security and privilege of being “the queen” and refused to listen to Mordecai’s counsel, her name might never have been remembered in Jewish history. The Book of Esther itself may not have carried such significance.
Through this, we must rightly understand the sovereignty of God.
The sovereignty of God means that God, in His foreknowledge, has called those whom He foreknew would fulfill His calling and purpose.

“We must rightly understand the sovereignty of God. In His sovereignty, God has called those whom He foreknew would fulfill His calling and purpose.”
We must learn from Esther’s humility, obedience, and her understanding of God’s will.
Lessons We Must Learn
When elevation comes, we must not exalt ourselves.
We must always remain humble.
We must never forget our past life or those who helped us.
We must never push aside the people who served as a ladder for our growth.
We must never compromise our identity as God’s children for the sake of worldly elevation.
We must maintain a proper balance between family relationships and ministry, without sacrificing one for the other.
Finally, we must rightly understand the sovereignty of God in our lives.