Copyright © 2001 By Dann McCreary

As books of the Bible go, Esther is a very unusual book. Nowhere in this book do we find God mentioned directly; rather, we only see God revealed through His sovereign control of the situation on behalf of His people the Jews.

The book of Esther exposes the extremes of humanity, displaying everything from the depths of depraved hatred to the pinnacle of self-sacrificing concern for the welfare of others.

Although an historical book, Esther is filled with symbolism for those who have eyes to see, especially those of us who are familiar with the New Testament writings.

The dramatis personae of Esther are probably typologically representative:

King Ahasuerus - the potentate who rules over the 127 provinces of the world with an absolute power, whose decrees become unbreakable law, reminds us of our Sovereign and Omnipotent God.

Vashti - the vain and rebellious Queen who by her own foolish stubbornness looses her place of honor, reminds us perhaps of the natural descendents of Abraham, or of the kingdom of Babylon as seen in the book of Revelation.

Haman - the wicked would-be destroyer of the Jews, who himself meets the fate he intended for others, reminds us of Satan and his emissaries.

Mordecai - the Jew who refused, on the basis of his being a Jew, to bow before the usurper Haman, is an example of all of God's people throughout the ages who have resisted the egomaniacal tyranny of men who would exalt themselves above God.

Esther - the orphan girl, adopted, and who becomes Queen, reminds us of the experience of the Church, the people of God. She also is a type of Christ, who sought and obtained deliverance for His people.

In this book, God's people are called to action. God encourages and graciously allows individuals among the Jews to play significant roles in accomplishing His redemption. At the same time, it is clear that no individual is indispensable to God's plan, which will be accomplished regardless of the cooperation or the resistance of men.

We see the full gamut of human attitudes and emotions come into play - vanity, selfishness, fear, helplessness, courage, doubt, determination, fearlessness, greed, pettiness, kindness, loyalty, familial devotion, patriotism, and many others.

The bankrupt nature of reliance upon power, position, scheming, and even supernatural conjuring is clearly revealed as God, behind the scenes, trumps all machinations against Him and His people.

Above all in this book we see and are reassured by the outworking of the Sovereignty of God. Every event, every detail, every nuance of speech and every motion -- they all conspire together to bring about the purpose of God. The very thoughts, intentions, and acts of even God's enemies - unbeknownst to them and quite in opposition to their own designs - fulfill God's good purposes and ultimately bring blessing to God's people and glory to God.