Esther 1-4

The Book of Esther is set in the Persian Empire around 483 to 473 BC, following a Jewish woman named Esther and her cousin Mordecai as they face an impossible threat against their people. What makes this book unique is that God is never mentioned by name, yet His presence is woven through every twist and turn of the story. When a powerful official named Haman convinces the king to issue a death decree against all Jewish people, Esther is faced with a choice that could cost her life. Mordecai challenges her with the now-famous words that she may have come to her position for such a time as this, but he is honest enough to say he does not know for certain. Esther responds with remarkable courage, choosing to act faithfully without knowing the outcome. Her example reminds us that faith is not about having certainty in results. It is about trusting in the One who holds the story. We do not need to see the whole picture to take the next faithful step.