Esther: another example of an ordinary person being used for an extraordinary purpose

Esther is a major hero of the Bible. Her story is one of only two books in the Bible named after a woman (the other book is Ruth). The Jews were exiled from Judah a hundred years earlier as Jerusalem fell in 587 BC by Babylon. When Babylon fell to Persia, Jews became under Persian power. Esther was an orphan, raised by her cousin, in a foreign land. With great beauty, she captured the eye of the most powerful man in Persia. She shows great courage in a crisis. As she faced a situation that could risk her life, she fasted as she sought God’s guidance and wisdom. Her story and actions helped create the festival of Purim. What is her story? Why is fasting important? Esther is an example of God using ordinary people for his purpose. What other examples to we have to see the power of the impossible? 

Her story begins with Vashti, the queen of Persia. When Xerxes, the king of Persia, ordered Vashti to appear before a gathering of his nobles, she refused and she was forever banished. Xerxes sought a new  queen to take Vashti’s place. Esther was among the women gathered and Mordecai urged her to keep her Jewish origins a secret. When her turn came, Xerxes was very pleased with Esther that he made her queen. After some time, a man named Haman rose to power, so powerful that others knelt before him. Everyone except Mordecai. Haman became so angry that he plotted to eliminate not just Mordecai but all Jews. When Mordecai discovered the plot, he pleaded with Esther to intervene but she knew she needed to tread lightly. In order to prepare herself for her intervention, she fasted for three days. After her fast, she sought the king. In his presence, he extends his scepter, a symbol that the audience is acceptable, and asks her for her request. This is where Esther was smart, instead of coming out and telling Xerxes about the plot, she invites the king and Haman to a series of banquets. As she gets Haman comfortable and confident, she exposes his plot to Xerxes. The king becomes furious and orders Haman’s death. A situation that could have been the death of the Jews became the celebration of Purim which is celebrated annually on the 14th and 15th days of Adar (February/March). 

Fasting is a period of time when no food is eaten and can be a tool to devote extra time in meditation and prayer. It was used in special circumstances when we seek extra consideration from God with our petitions. Throughout the Old and New Testaments, fasting has been used as a call for deeper reflection on sins and repentance. In 2 Chronicles 20:3, King Jehoshaphat called for Judah to fast in order to demonstrate their change of heart, repentance from sin and their true devotion. In Ezra 8:23, he fasted and prayed and God answered his prayer. In Joel 1:14, there’s a call to declare a holy fast as a cry out to God. However, do not use fasting as a manipulation or show how much more righteous or holy you: are compared to others. Jesus taught to fast in secret unlike the Pharisees who used it to show how holy they were (Matthew 6:16-17, Mark 2:18). They twisted the purpose of fasting. They fasted to impress others and not to please God. Isaiah 58 discusses two types of fast. First, the wicked fast (verses 3-5) is displeasing to God, filled with bitterness, strife, and deceit. This fast is the one the Pharisees embarked in because everyone knew they were fasting. They were gloomy, unapproachable and religious. Second, the purifying fast (verses 6-7) is pleasing to God as it is filled with kindness, loving your neighbor as yourself and bringing yourself closer to God. 

Esther is another example of God using the ordinary for extraordinary. She was an orphan who became queen of an empire. She was a nobody who became somebody. She risked her life to take a stand for herself and for others. The Bible is filled with the most unlikely, ordinary people accomplishing extraordinary feats for His divine purpose. He had Noah, a drunk, to build the Ark (Genesis 6-9). He took Abraham and Sarah, an older couple, and used them to build a nation (Genesis 11-25). God took Joseph, a spoiled teen, to save nations from a famine (Genesis 37-50). He took Moses, a stuttering man and and murderer, and made him a leader (Exodus 3-4). God used Rahab, a prostitute, to conquer a city (Joshua 2). He used David, a shepherd boy, to kill a giant (1 Samuel 17) and made him a king (2 Samuel 5). He took twelve ordinary men and made his disciples. God took a man who was an avowed enemy and turned him into the most prolific Christian writer in the New Testament (Acts 9:1-19). He’s not looking for people who are perfect, talented or influential. He’s looking for people who are willing and He’ll provide the rest. He is seeking someone to say “Here I am, send me” (Isaiah 6:8). God sees all our faults, our flaws and sees our heart. For what is impossible with men is possible with God (Zechariah 8:6, Luke 18:27). 

In conclusion, as a Jewish woman, Esther was weakest among the weak and God took her and placed her in a position to save His people. Earthly powers will seek to kill and destroy but heavenly powers will save and preserve. The Jews faced elimination. Their sorrow was turned into joy. Fasting is a tool we can use to give more time to meditation and prayer. It is a tool which requires humility and urgent prayer. It is not to appear more religious or holy to others but to draw closer to God and his divine purpose. Esther used fasting to prepare herself to stand up for her people, risking her life in the process. The Bible is filled with examples of God using the ordinary for the extraordinary. God can still use us, the ordinary, for his glory. We just need to be willing and he will help us become able.