The King's Wrath: Deliverance of God's People

Compare and Contrast the story of Esther with the story of Israel’s complex relationship with God…

The Prophets have told the same story in different ways: when we sin, we can call on God to repent, and we will be restored. This story is reflected in the entire Bible. Starting with the book of Esther, we see how the King’s anger parallels that of God’s when we disobey Him. And in the midst of the King’s anger, things begin to change.

Disobedience

Former Queen Vashti was unwilling to come to the King when he called her (Est.1:12-18). Likewise, the children of Israel were unwilling to come to God when He called them (Malachi 3:7), choosing instead their own gods, laws, and cultures. And, like Vashti disobeyed within the King’s palace, Israel disobeyed God in His own creation. Imagine the trees, stones, minerals, all considered good by Him, being used for worship instead of Him! (Deut. 32:37).

Exile/Judgement

Vashti’s disobedience led to her being exiled by the King (Esther. 1:19, 2:17). And because Israel disobeyed, and gave into their own evil, God brought about justice against that evil in the way of exile many times (Judges 2:11-19; Jeremiah 39, 52; Ezekiel 10, 12). However, disobedience of Vashti allowed for Esther to come into the picture. Likewise, the disobedience of the Israelites allowed for various deliverers and saviors to also be prevalent, such as Deborah and Samson (Judges 4, 10, 16).

New Enemy

In the period of Vashti’s exile, which includes when Esther becomes Queen, a new enemy arises for the Jews in the form of Haman (Est.3:6). Likewise, during the exilic and judgement periods of the Israelites, several new enemies emerged including the Babylonians, Assyrians, Egyptians, Moabites, etc. (Judges 3-8; Isaiah 5:25-30; Isaiah 22; 29-30).

Repentance/Prayer

Esther as Queen became humble to her (true) King by praying and fasting for 3 days and 3 nights (Est. 4:16). She called her entire people to do the same. Likewise, while in exile or in judgement, the people cried out to the Lord for repentance and deliverance (Jeremiah 42, Judges 2:11-19).

Deliverance

The Lord is near to those who are brokenhearted, and who have a humble heart (Psalm 34:18, 51:17). Because Esther was praying from a place of humility, desperation, and to save her people, God looked upon her and showed incredible grace. Her problem was given a solution, and she was able to look onto her enemies as they perished for wanting to do her people harm (Est. 7-9). Similarly, whenever the Israelites cried out to God, He heard and avenged them every time from oppression, sickness, and war (Judges 2:11-19, 2 Kings 20:5, 2 Chronicles 20:1-30; Isaiah 64). And He still promises to save us when we cry out to Him (Isaiah 1:18; 30:15; 2 Chronicles 7:14).

Anger Kindled

            What stands out most in the book of Esther, is the parallels of the King’s anger. King Ahasuerus (Xerces) is shown to be extremely upset that his Queen doesn’t visit him (Est. 1:12). He is then angry again when Esther reveals to him that his trusted advisor, Haman, has a plot to kill Esther and her people (Est. 7:7-10). In both situations, we have an angry King. And when the King is angry, there is a change. A new law, execution…a new judgement. Compare this to our God. Many times, the Israelites “provoke God to anger” in their sins (2 Kings 17:17; Isaiah 65:3; Ezek. 16:26). In this anger, we see God start to move. He gives the Israelites over to their enemies, to payback the injustice that they practice (Isaiah 24:1; Ezek. 21:1-17; Jer. 6:19).

But there is still a ray of hope even in God’s anger. In both situations where King Ahasuerus was angry, the decisions made led to the deliverance of Esther’s people. Vasthi’s refusal to appear allowed Esther to be Queen. Esther becoming Queen allowed for the King to know of the plot to kill the Jews and therefore pacify it. And this is the same with God. In His anger, He vows to eradicate the evil that has attached itself to Israel, so that His people may be free (Jer. 29:11-14; Ezek. 20:27-44).

Retelling this story of redemption in Esther is only the beginning. Stay with us as we study more books, verses, and themes that connect with the Prophets. All the books of the Bible come together in one beautiful, complete love story that God is telling us.

Every verse is one made of love towards us.

-Sherry Amor

“…And The Prophets” Bible Study Series by LifeofAmor.