Parties, Providence And A Persian WifeSample

Some time passed between the king revoking Queen Vashti’s title and the entrance of Esther on the stage. In fact, four years passed before the king’s anger toward Vashti subsided. It could be that the king had suffered a crack in his armor. It was in this four-year period that the failed invasion of Greece and humiliating defeat at the hands of the Spartans took place. No doubt, his ego took a hit. Whatever led to it, the king became depressed. We know this because the second chapter in the book of Esther opens with the king’s attendants suggesting that he hold a beauty contest of sorts in order to “audition” a new queen for him. They were seeking to cheer him up. To do so, they suggested that every beautiful virgin be brought to him in order for him to scout out the best choice for his new queen. They must have assumed this could lift his spirits.

The whole thing sounded intriguing to the king, so the search began. An elaborate plan of locating women, preparing them through a season of oils and perfumes, and then auditioning them, so to speak, through each having a night with the king had unfolded.

Cue Esther. Cue the role of a lifetime. 

Esther's story reminds us of our own in that God always sets up your destiny before you walk into it. He is working out your purpose with His providence. Trust the pathways He places you on. Keep walking. He has a plan for you.

 If you enjoyed reading about the pathways God providentially designs, learn more about Tony's book "Pathways." Simply click here.  We want to thank B&H Publishers for these excerpts from Tony Evans' book "Pathways: From Providence to Purpose, published in 2019.