Recognizing God’s Sovereignty (Esther 1:1-2:20)

In the series “The Sovereignty of God in Action,” we’ll continue our study of Esther 1 and 2. This time we’ll look more deeply at Esther chapters 1 and 2 (up to verse 20). As we advance, we’ll see the contrast between God’s sovereignty and King Ahasuerus’s sovereignty.

If you haven’t done so yet, take time to read the passage and pray that the Lord will help us recognize His sovereignty in our lives.

We’ll see the king openly exercising his power over his kingdom and possessions. While behind the scenes, God is exercising total power over His creation. And although we won’t see all the results of that exercise yet, it’s important that we know He is the one in control of everything.

King Ahasuerus showed the riches of the glory of his kingdom (Esther 1:1-9)

The narrative begins with an overabundant display of King Ahasuerus’s authority, glories, and sovereignty over his kingdom.

Here’s a map to give you a clearer idea of the Persian Empire’s extension during Ahasuerus (Xerxes) reign (Esther 1:1).

King Ahasuerus organized a great banquet (Esther 1:3), not only because of the number of people who attended or the food served and wine in abundance (Esther 1:7), but because of its duration. A feast of 180 days (Esther 1:4), almost 6 months, during which he was showing the marvelous nature of his kingdom.

After the long celebration, some people had already begun returning to their provinces; Ahasuerus decides to hold another banquet, this one for 7 days for the people who still remained in the city (Esther 1:5).

Verses 6 and 7 reflect how luxurious the king’s palace was: fine linen, purple, silver, marble, gold, porphyry, alabaster, and precious stones; all elements that denote majesty and grandeur.

In verse 9 we have the first mention of Queen Vashti, who also made a banquet for the women who were present.

King Ahasuerus wanted to show Queen Vashti’s beauty (Esther 1:10-12)

The second mention of Queen Vashti comes in this portion, which can be summarized quite easily. The king (exercising his power) calls the queen to show her to the people and princes who were still feasting. The queen refuses the king’s order. The king becomes angry.

After so much wine and losing his sobriety, the king wants to continue showing what he possesses, this time by displaying the queen’s beauty.

We don’t have a clear expression of why the queen refused to comply with the king’s summons. Some biblical commentators have mentioned that perhaps it was out of modesty, since probably the other men had consumed too much wine and it wouldn’t be prudent.

Let’s recognize…

Although we don’t have all the details of this event, we can see that King Ahasuerus’s will won’t always be fulfilled, in contrast to God’s will which is always fulfilled.

In fact, King Ahasuerus’s command and Vashti’s refusal to obey are included in God’s exercise of power over His creation.

King Ahasuerus shows his authority (Esther 1:13-22)

In this portion of the text we see the king filled with anger over Vashti’s rejection. He seeks counsel from his wise men to decide what to do with her.

Vashti had called into question the king’s authority not only before his servants, but before all the princes who were at the banquet.

The wise men’s concern, made known by Memucan (Esther 1:16), was not only to preserve the king’s image, but the position of authority of husbands throughout the rest of the empire.

Therefore the decision made would be announced everywhere. In verse 19 we see that Vashti will be removed from her position and another woman “who is more worthy” will replace her.

The king accepts Memucan’s recommendation and all due actions are completed. Thus begins the search for a new queen.

Let’s recognize…

Memucan’s words in verse 20 show us that God is behind all this. That expression, “the women will give honor to their husbands,” is a principle established by God.

The person making these expressions is not a member of the Jewish people; but even so, he’s concerned with expressing and keeping a truth established by God.

That’s not a coincidence it’s a demonstration of God’s sovereignty.

Biblical submission isn’t the topic of our conversation in this study. But I want to clarify, in case you haven’t delved deeply into this matter, biblical submission is not blind obedience or suffering mistreatment.

Esther is shown to King Ahasuerus and becomes the new queen (Esther 2:1-20)

And unintentionally one of the first beauty contests was established, I’m joking, but that’s the first thing that comes to mind when reading this chapter.

In the midst of describing the process, which includes 12 months of preparation (beautification) under the eunuchs’ charge, we meet Mordecai and Esther.

In Mordecai’s genealogy we reach Kish the Benjamite. This name with that same description we find in 1 Samuel 9:1-3; it’s in this passage that we meet Saul.

In this lesson we won’t see all the implications of this connection with Saul, but we will see later how it impacts the rest of the story. We’ll be able to see that it’s not a coincidence that this lineage arrives at the kingdom.

Mordecai and his family (including Esther’s parents) arrived in Susa through the deportation of the Jewish people during Jeconiah’s reign. You can read more about this period in 2 Kings 24:8-17.

We read that Esther was taken to the palace along with the other young women and began the preparation process; and from the moment of her arrival she found favor (Esther 2:9) before Hegai, the keeper of the women.

But she didn’t only find favor before Hegai, but also before everyone who saw her (Esther 2:15). When Esther is presented before the king (Esther 2:16-18), she also finds love, grace, and kindness before the king.

For having found this favor, Esther is proclaimed queen in place of Vashti and her coronation announcement is celebrated. Bible scholars estimate that between the banquet of chapter 1 and Esther’s coronation, 4 years passed.

Let’s recognize…

In this account we read that Esther was beautiful in form and appearance (Esther 2:7). However, we must recognize that Esther finds favor not simply because of her appearance, but because God has so arranged it.

God has been working and allowing events to occur with an ultimate purpose, and that includes Esther finding favor before everyone.

Let’s meditate on Esther 1 and 2

When reading Esther’s story, it can be difficult to recognize God’s sovereignty in action, but it’s evident that God is working, and likewise He’s working in our lives. I invite you to take time and continue meditating on this truth.

Compare how the king showed everything he had and how he failed to show his authority. While Esther found everything she needed, not simply to be queen, but as we’ll see later, to carry out God’s plan.

God, in His sovereignty, places and removes people from places of power to fulfill His purpose and for His glory (Romans 9:17; Psalm 75:6-7).

Think about where you find yourself today or in the season you’re living; ask God to show you what His will is for this time in your life.

Looking back, can you remember some event that you thought was a coincidence and today you can understand was God’s sovereignty?

After reading and having seen some more details of this passage, we can see how King Ahasuerus explicitly seeks to show his limited sovereignty. While apparently God is “outside the story” but is advancing His plan to fulfill His will through every detail.

In the present and in what’s to come, things will happen to us that we have no idea why. Let’s pray that we can rest in the truth that everything occurs so that God’s will is fulfilled and, as we saw in the previous lesson, that will is perfect.