Esther 1-3

I read these chapters in two settings; a total of about 20 minutes. Esther's story is a fantastic example of how God works through providence. He hides eternal power and devine nature (Rom 1:20) within the actions and choices of people: covenant people and heathens. God exercises His eternal authority within the realms of mankinds' free will to accomplish His good will. In the first two chapters of Esther we see this at work in seemingly random and unconnected ways. God sets in motion the elevation of two faithful covenant people to high levels in his government by the disobedience of a wife, whom Esther would replace as queen, and the devious plans of two disgruntled servants of the king; which would eventually lead to Mordecia being named Prime Minister.
Stuart