The Gospel According to Esther: A Daily Devotional

Day 1

Esther Chapter 1

This is what happened during the time of Xerxes (Esther 1:1 NIV).

One day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day (2 Peter 3:8 KJV).

Time is an earth concept; God is timeless and eternal. We are limited by time, but God is not. We see things as they develop—minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day, year by year. But God sees the big picture. When God created the earth, the sun, the moon and the stars, he set into motion a sequence of time. The earth rotates once around its axis, and we have a day. The earth makes one revolution around the sun, and we have a year. People in ancient times used to think that the earth was the center of the universe; we still have a problem with that. We—as people—think we are the center of the universe, and everything revolves around us. But the truth is, the Son of God is the center of the universe, and everything revolves around him.

Prayer: Lord, be the center of my universe, and let my life revolve around you. Amen

Day 2

The Xerxes who ruled over 127 provinces (Esther 1:1 NIV).

For God is the King of all the earth (Psalm 47:7 KJV).

King Xerxes represents God. The 127 provinces represent Genesis 1:27 (KJV): God created man in his own image … male and female. Esther 1:1 interpreted: This is what happened during the time that God ruled over the people he created. (See the Introduction.)

We are created in his image—an expression of himself but in bodily form. Each of us is made with a body, a soul, and a spirit. We, like God, have feelings, thoughts, and reasoning. But we are separate identities. We are not God, but beings created by him. We are above the animal and plant life. On earth we are at the top of the food chain, so to speak. We are God’s crown jewels—priceless in his eyes.

But we have our limits; God made us that way. He also gave us free will; we have the ability to choose. This is the weak link in the chain, but more on that later. Since we were made with a limited capacity of body and mind, we need a higher being who provides guidance and wisdom as well as the very life force that keeps us breathing and functioning. (See Acts 17:28.) And that higher being is God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Prayer: God, you made us in your image, may we reflect you. Amen

Day 3

Stretching from India to Cush (Esther 1:1 NIV).

His kingdom rules over all (Psalm 103:19 NIV).

God’s rule and authority encompasses all that exists. His kingdom rules over everything on earth, in the universe and in heaven. Lesser kingdoms of this world come and go. Kings and leaders, no matter how great they are, rule only for a time, and then they are gone. God and his kingdom last forever.

Not only does he rule over everything but he is also everywhere. If we ascend to heaven or descend to hell, he is there. If we climb the highest mountain or go into the depths of the sea, he is there. If we travel to the farthest corner of the earth, he is there. If we go to the outermost star in the cosmos, he is there. (See Psalms 10:16, 139:7-10.)

God rules over all, but he is not a tyrant or a bully. He rules in love because he is love. (See 1 John 4:16.) He is just, holy, right and true. His kingdom stands strong and unshakable—never to be overthrown by any other power or authority.

Prayer: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen (Matthew 6:13 KJV).

Day 4

For in him we live, and move, and have our being (Acts 17:28 KJV).

God, who made everything in the world, is ruler over all, and doesn’t live in manmade buildings—as if we could contain him there. He doesn’t need our help—as if he lacked anything of substance. Instead, he gives us life and everything. He populated the whole earth, starting with one person. He made nations and decided where they would be and when they would exist.

God engineered all this so we would look for him and possibly find him, for he is not far away. God understood our fixation on idols in the past. But now he requires all people to repent of their foolishness and turn to him, for he is the true God. One day all will be judged by him—the one who was raised from the dead—even Jesus Christ, the Son of God. (See Acts 17:24-31.)

God has given us as humans the capacity for acquiring knowledge and gaining wisdom, because he is the source of all wisdom and knowledge. But if people try to use the information and the knowledge of the world without going to the source, God, the outcome is faulty and unreliable. Sometimes the means we use to fix a problem only create more problems. The answers to the problems in this world can only be found in him and his wisdom.

Prayer: God, you are everything we need; may you be all that we desire. Amen

Day 5

At that time King Xerxes reigned from his royal throne in the citadel of Susa (Esther 1:2 NIV).

The LORD’S throne is in heaven (Psalm 11:4 KJV).

Susa represents heaven.

God reigns from his royal throne in heaven. God created the heavens. The heavens, are the LORDS: but the earth [has] he given to the children of men" (Psalm 115:16 KJV). It seems there are three heavens. The first heaven is the sky above us—the earth’s atmosphere, where the birds and the planes fly. The second heaven is where the sun, the moon, the stars are. And the third heaven is where God and his angels and the heavenly beings live.

Paul the apostle said he was caught up to the third heaven—either in his body or in his spirit—where he received visions and revelations of the Lord (2 Corinthians 12:1-2 KJV).

The Lord says heaven is his throne, and the earth is his footstool. Because he sits high above the earth, we look like grasshoppers to him. (See Isaiah 66:1, 40:22.)

Heaven is a place we can look forward to going to after we die if we have put our faith in God’s Son, Jesus. This hope helps us in our daily lives; it gives us a purpose.

Prayer: Lord, thank you that someday we will join you in heaven because of Jesus. Amen

Day 6

And in the third year of his reign (Esther 1:3 NIV).

For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word [Son], and the Holy [Spirit]: and these three are one (1 John 5:7 KJV).

The third, or the number three, represents the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

In Genesis 1:1-2 (KJV) we read: In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. Jesus, the Word, was there also with God, the Father, and the Holy Spirit. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made (John 1:1-3 KJV). From these verses, we see the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—all involved in the creation of the earth.

Just as the earth was dark and without life, we are in darkness and without life because of sin, until the Spirit of God comes to us. Jesus created all things—he brought life to the planet. And because he was sacrificed (killed) and shed his blood on the cross for our sins, he brings life to those who believe in him.

Prayer: Thank you—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—that you work together in harmony to accomplish your plans and purposes. Amen

Day 7

He gave a banquet for all his nobles and officials. The military leaders of Persia and Media, the princes, and the nobles of the provinces were present (Esther 1:3 NIV).

The morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy (Job 38:7 NIV).

The nobles and officials at the banquet represent the heavenly beings celebrating all the things the Lord has created.

In Job 38-41, the Lord talks about his creation to Job. He tells Job that he sets the boundaries for the sea so that its waves can only go so far. He puts the stars in their places. He sends the lightning and the rain and has authority over the snow and the hail. The Lord instructs Job about the lion and the goat, the ostrich and the hawk, the horse and the ox, and many other things. God says he is the one who gives wisdom and understanding to human hearts and minds. Job is humbled after hearing of God’s mighty power and intimate knowledge of his creation.

You may want to read Genesis 1 and Job 38-41 so you can get a fresh glimpse of the Creator, God. Take a few minutes to think about his greatness. When you do this, it helps put your concerns in perspective. A God this big and powerful can certainly take care of your needs.

Prayer: Lord, your wisdom and knowledge are beyond anything we as humans can comprehend. We are awed by your greatness. Amen

Day 8

For a full 180 days (Esther 1:4 NIV).

"For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible" (Colossians 1:16 KJV).

For a full 180 days. (180 = half, 360 = whole, as in a circle.)

Full means both halves—the spiritual realm and the natural, physical realm. The visible is the physical realm we see and the invisible is the spiritual realm, unseen by natural eyes. Just because God and the spiritual realm cannot be seen doesn’t mean they aren’t real. The wind is invisible but no one doubts that it exists. John compares the Holy Spirit to the wind; you can hear the sound of it but can’t tell where it’s going or what it’s going to do. (See John 3:8.)

We can’t see the angels of God, usually, but God does sometimes allow us to see them. We can’t see the fallen angels—demons—but they are real also. The forces of evil (the devil and his demons), are in conflict with the spiritual forces of good (God and his holy angels). They are in a battle for the souls of people; this battle began with Adam and Eve in the Garden.

God is greater than the evil in the world. Those who choose to be on his side are on the winning side!

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, that we believe you are real even though we can’t see you. Please open the eyes and hearts of others so that they may believe. Amen

Day 9

He displayed the vast wealth of his kingdom (Esther 1:4 NIV).

The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the Lord. (Haggai 2:8 KJV).

As early as the second chapter of the Bible we hear about gold—and it was good gold. (See Genesis 2:11-12.) Generations later, Abram [Abraham] was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold (Genesis 13:2 KJV). The Lord told Moses to take an offering from the people for the building of the tabernacle and its furnishings. The first two items that the Lord asked for were gold and silver. (See Exodus 25:1-3.)

God declares that all the animals in the forest are his and the cattle on a thousand hills belong to him. The whole world belongs to him—everything in it. (See Psalm 50:10; 24:1.)

In Leviticus 25:23, the Lord says he owns the land and that the people who live there are foreigners and strangers.

Jesus told two parables about a man who owned a vineyard and in each it is assumed that the landowner is God. (See Matthew 20:1-16, 21:33-41)

The world and everything in it is the Lord’s; he made it. That pretty much covers the riches of his kingdom on this earth. Today, wealth is still defined by silver, gold, cattle and land. God put these things here for us, but they really belong to him. He gave us all these things to use and enjoy.

Prayer: Lord, you own the earth; help us as tenants to take good care of it. Amen

Day 10

And the splendor and glory of his majesty (Esther 1:4 NIV).

Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all (1 Chronicles 29:11 NIV).

If you go outside at night away from the city lights and look up into the sky you can see that the heavens declare the glory of God (Psalm 19:1 KJV). The stars are shining with his glory.

The mountains, too, are awesome in their splendor. And the ocean is vast and majestic. These are God’s glorious creations and they are only a small reflection of him. The whole of God’s glory and splendor are beyond our understanding.

When Jesus was on the earth, he gave three of his disciples a glimpse of his glorious state when they were up on a mountain. For a short time, he was transformed before their eyes; his face was bright like the sun and his clothing was white as snow. (See Matthew 17:2.)

In the future age, we won’t need the sun and the stars to give us light because the glory of the Lord will be the light and there won’t be any night.

Prayer: To the only wise God our [Savior], be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen (Jude v. 25 KJV).

Day 11

When these days were over (Esther 1:5 NIV).

The heavens and the earth were finished (Genesis 2:1 KJV).

There was now light and dark called day and night. The water was gathered together to make seas. In the seas, there were fish and whales and other aquatic life. The ground grew grass and plants and trees (with fruit). There were animals big and small. In the sky, was the sun, the moon and the stars.

And there was a man, Adam. He was given the job of taking care of the garden. He also named the animals. But there wasn’t anyone he could relate to as a person; so the Lord made Eve as a helper and companion for him.

God looked over all that he had created: the stars in the sky, the plant and animal life and the people he had made in his image and he was pleased; it was good, very good. (See Genesis 1-2.)

Prayer: Lord, when we look at the beautiful creation you have made, indeed it is very good. Amen

Day 12

The king gave a banquet (Esther 1:5 NIV).

The LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food (Genesis 2:9 NIV).

The Lord provided a banquet for Adam and Eve and their future offspring to feast on. The people he made had all that they needed to live a good life in the Garden of Eden. God had fellowship with them and things were going along smoothly. God had the perfect means to show off his glory, power and goodness; through these humans he had created. This was Plan A, but as we will soon see a Plan B will be needed.

Jesus told his followers this story or parable: The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son (Matthew 22:2 NIV). In this parable, the king represents God, and his son, the Son of God, Jesus. This parable depicts the history of the human race and is the parallel story for this devotional. (There’s a summary of this parable on Day 13.)

Prayer: Lord, you want to have fellowship with the people you created. Thank you for making this possible through your Son. Amen

Day 13

The king gave a banquet (Esther 1:5 NIV).

Here’s a summary of the parable of the wedding banquet in Matthew 22:1-14:

A king prepared a wedding dinner for his son. He sent out servants to remind the invited guests to come to the dinner. They declined to come. Later he sent more servants out to tell the guests the dinner was ready. But they were too busy to come—one was needed on the farm; another had to tend the store. The others treated his servants shamefully, even killed them. The king was furious. He commanded his army to destroy those wicked people and burn down their city. Those he originally invited didn’t deserve his dinner.

He sent the servants out again and told them to gather up anybody they saw—good or bad. The servants did this and he had a full house. The king noticed a guest there who was not dressed in wedding clothes—he was thrown out in the dark. For many are called, but few are chosen (Matthew 22:14 KJV).

The Lord wants us at his banquet. But we must make time for him now. We need to set God as our top priority. Our present quality of life and certainly our future in eternity is at stake. Let’s take the time.

Prayer: Thank you, God, for your love for us—you want us at your banquet. Help us to take the time to know you. Amen

Day 14

Lasting seven days (Esther 1:5 NIV).

And on the seventh day God ended his work (Genesis 2:2 KJV).

The number seven is said to symbolize completion. God created the world and rested the seventh day; in seven days all was completed. In this devotional, the seven-day banquet represents the complete history of mankind on the earth: beginning with Adam and Eve in the Garden and continuing to the marriage supper of the Lamb and the Garden in the new earth. Stories from throughout the Bible will be woven into the story of Esther.

In your own life you can probably think of your own seven days of completion. It could be that you completed your schooling or you completed a big project at work. Perhaps you look at your seven days of completion as the time you finished raising your kids and now you are an empty nester. Or you may have changed jobs or careers, and now you are in a new seven-day cycle. Let’s trust God and look to him to guide us during these times.

Prayer: God, you are sovereign; your plans will be carried out and come to completion. Amen

Day 15

In the enclosed garden of the king’s palace (Esther 1:5 NIV).

A garden inclosed is my sister, my spouse and I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse (Song of Solomon 4:12, 5:1 KJV).

As in the verses above, sister and spouse speak of a close relationship. (See Mark 3:35; Revelation 19:7.) The enclosed garden represents the church, the bride (spouse) of Christ. (The church: those who have a personal relationship with God through his Son, Jesus.)

The king’s palace represents where God, the King, lives in heaven. The enclosed garden in heaven also represents where the church lives spiritually now: God raised us up … and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:6 KJV). Your life is hid with Christ in God (Colossians 3:2 KJV). This is the spiritual realm; but at the same time, believers are living their lives in the natural, physical world.

Think of it this way, the enclosed garden is a place and a people; just like when Christians say they are going to church (a place), and they are the church (a people).

Enclose means to surround. Psalm 125:2 (NIV) says, as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore. God’s people are surrounded by his love and care. He that [lives] in the secret [enclosed] place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty (Psalm 91:1 KJV). We are safe in him.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, that we are surrounded by your presence and kept in your care. Amen

Day 16

In the enclosed garden of the king’s palace (Esther 1:5 NIV).

Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed (Genesis 2:8 NIV).

The enclosed garden also represents the enclosed garden in Eden, a type of heaven on earth.

And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul (Genesis 2:7 KJV). God put the man, Adam in the garden in Eden to take care of it. The Lord provided many trees for food. Also, in the middle of the garden stood the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God told Adam that he could eat from any tree in the garden except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If he ate from that tree he would die.

God saw that Adam was alone. So he put him to sleep, took one of his ribs and closed him