In the Right Place at the Right Time

​Have you noticed how history seems to repeat itself? What is happening in Israel at the present time is like what happened in the Persian empire around 483 B.C., 103 years after Nebuchadnezzar took the Jews into captivity. Head of the Persian Empire, King Xerxes, held an opulent banquet lasting 180 days. It is thought that this banquet was to demonstrate his great wealth to the nobles of the empire so that they would know that he had the funds to go to war against Greece. In the book of Esther, we are introduced to those who surrounded the king and to a plot by his evil assistant, Haman, to annihilate the entire population of Jews. Today, that spirit of Haman is still alive in the group called Hamas who is actively warring against both Jews and Christians.
 
Though the book of Esther never mentions God by name, we see Him at work behind the scenes and through the people He uses by putting them in the right place at the right time. The story revolves around a Jewish orphan girl, Esther who only had one relative, her cousin Mordecai. These two landed in Susa, the capital of the Persian empire after their families were exiled from their homeland. Both were pulled into palace life. Mordecai was appointed to an official position among the Jewish captives. Esther was chosen to be in the king's harem because of her great beauty. A year later, after extensive beauty treatment, she was taken to the royal palace. The king was so delighted with Esther that he placed the queen's crown on her head.
 
It is no coincident that Mordecai was on duty in the king's gate when and where two guards conspired to assassinate the king. Mordecai gave the information to Queen Esther who told the king about it. Mordecai's faithfulness was recorded in the Book of the History of King Xerxes' Reign. He was in the right place at the right time. Esther was also placed in her position as queen at the right time. It is during King Xerxes' twelfth year that he and Haman cast the pur (lot) to determine that the Jews throughout the kingdom would be destroyed on the last month of the year, Adar. A decree was made and sealed with the king's signet ring.
 
Imagine how Mordecai felt when he learned about the plan that Haman and his co-conspirators to annihilate every Jew. He put on sack cloth and ashes and wept bitterly. He also drafted the aid of Esther to go before the king on behalf of their people. Esther pointed out that anyone who approached the king without a summons would be put to death unless the king extended his gold scepter to them. However, Mordecai reminds Esther, "For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14)
 
Indeed, Esther won the king's favor and revealed the details of Haman's plans to kill her and her people. The king had him hung on the gallows he constructed for Mordecai. In addition, Esther was given Haman's estate and Mordecai the signet ring of King Xerxes. A new decree was written granting the Jews the right to protect themselves and destroy or kill anyone who attacked them. They were to do this on the 13th day of the month of Adar. The tables were turned on this day so that the Jews got the upper hand over those who hated them. Scripture says of the Jews:  "No one would stand against them." (Esther 9:2) Today the Jews still celebrate their victory on the 14th and 15th days of Adar, called The Feast of Purim or Lots. This year those days fall on March 24 and 25.
 
God's faithfulness was on full display through the events of these days. His love for the Jewish people is based on His covenant with Abraham written in Genesis 12:3. "I will bless those who bless you and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." God is always true to His word and His faithfulness is steadfast. He orchestrates the events of life so that the right people are in the right place at the right time. As He works behind the scenes, we must remember that He "works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28) Who knows when God will arrange for one of us to be in a situation at a particular time and place where we will have the opportunity to change the course of history? In the meantime, our prayers will make a difference We must pray for the peace and protection the Jews around the world, especially Israel. We must ask the Lord for His favor to shine through as Jews and Christians fight for their lives against the Spirit of Haman.