The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 86

Lord th1:1t ho.th mercy on thee I Thou shalt not perish, but shalt have pardon and life eternal. IV. It is a. sceptre OF ROYAL BOUNTY. The act of Ahasuerus was the earnest of further kindness. "What is thy petition, o.nd what is thy request?" She had, in response, only to o.sk, o.nd to have. God has given ns his Son, and the gospel, which tells us of this gift, tells us that all provision is made for us. This is the language of our royal Father: "All that I have is thine I " Ver. 14.-Enlargement and deliverance. What a sublime confidence is apparent m this language of Mordecai to Esther I He took a very different mode of reasoning and persuasion from what might have been expected. Why did he not say, My only hope, the only hope of the nation, is in thee ; if thou fail us we are undone? Because he believed Israel's salvation to be dear to Israel's God. This led him to put the matter thus: "If thou altogether boldest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place." I. Goo, IN HIS PROVIDENCE, OFTEN ACCOMPLISHES GREAT WORKS BY THE HANDS OF HUMAN AGENTS. II. IF THE LIKELIEST FAIL, THEN THE UNLIKELIEST WILL BE RAISED UP AND EMPLOYED. III. ALL THINGS AND POWERS THAT ARE ADVERSE NOTWITHSTANDING, TllE PUR- POSES OF Goo SHALL CERTAINLY BE FULFILLED. IV. IT IS A GREAT PRIVILEGE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY OF CARRYING OUT THE PLANS OF THE ALL-WISE. Especially is this so when we have the means of bringing enlargement and deliverance to the people of God. See to it that you do not mistake the "time to speak." for the "time to be silent." Ver. 14.-The purpose of power. "Purpose" is a watchword of modern intellectual warfare. " Cause" and " purpose " are words that awaken keenest intellectual strife. Thinkers are divided into those who believe that the will is the cause of human acts, and that many of those acts are evidence of purpose; and those who believe our acts to be the necessary results of physical antecedents acting upon our nervous system. And those who do not believe in human purpose naturally enough have no belief in Divine purpose. According to them mind counts for nothing as a factor in the universe. Believing in purpose, both human and Divine, we may nevertheless be on our guard against dogmatically affirming that this and that event is evidence of the intention of Heaven. Purpose is in the life of man ; yet when we endeavour to fathom its mysteries, it is well that we should propose the question with the modera- tion and tentativeness which characterised the language of Mordecai: ",vho knoweth whether tl1ou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" I. THERE ARE EVIDENCES OF DIVINE PURPOSE IN THE LIFE OF MEN GENERALLY. Whatever doubt we may have of individual cases, however much we may be influencerl by our own prejudices and fancies in judging of such cases, it scarcely admits of doubt that human life has a reason for its existence and for its opportunities. Especially in reading the biographies of great and good men we are impressed with this belief. And what strength does it impart to a man to believe that God has a work for him to do. Divine purpose mo.y be wrought out by unconscious agents. " There's a Divinity that shapes our ends, Rough-hew them how we will ! " II. PROVIDENCE SOMETIMES MAKES IT CLEAR WHAT THE DIVINE PURPOSE IS. Observe the expression: " such a time." A crisis is observable in the life of most men. An opportunity opens up. The vocation is made apparent, or rather audible. A relation- ship is appointed. A service is required. God's finger is visible, and he is heanl saying, "This is the way; walk ye in it I" III. AT SUCH TIMES THERE IS IMPOSED A SACRED RESPONSIBILrrY. The call of Provi- dence may be disregarded. Through negligence, or fear, or distrust persons may shrink from responding to the requirement of Heaven. But o.t how fearful a cost I On the other hand, to have wrought the work of God is to have lived not in vain. And Divine gmce is sufficient for us. Practical lessons :-1. Study the indications of God's will. Ask, "Lord, what R8 THE BOOK OF ESTHER. [on. rv. 1-17.