What does the Book of Esther teach me about the Word of God?

Just finished reading the Book of Esther this morning (this is 7am in Hong Kong on Sunday which is 7pm Toronto time on Saturday). It happens that if I had been in Canada I would be listening to this sermon at the Meeting House: Christology and Bibliology. Since I am on the road I had watch the sermon online. This sermon is the second lecture of a Systematic Theology course put out by Bruxy Cavey to help us understand the foundational theology of our faith. The sermon this week speaks of the important beliefs about Jesus Christ and how "the Word of God" as we know it (usually meant the bible for most believers) must include our experience because of our relationship with Jesus, much like the authors of the scripture throughout all generations.

I found this bible resource on the Book of Esther very helpful. In the introduction it highlights these facts that I find interesting:

• It's the only book in the bible that never mentions God's name.
• Neither Mordecai, Esther, nor the Feast of Purim is mentioned elsewhere in scripture.
• The Book of Esther was never discovered among the Dead Sea Scroll fragments and yet there are more manuscripts of the book of Esther than any other Old Testament book.
• The book does not mention any Mosaic Law, the temple, priesthood or sacrifices. Fasting was practiced but prayer was never mentioned.
• We do not know who the author was.

Yet this book has been included as part of the "bible" and has had important lessons for believers over the centuries. For me it has been greatly refreshing reading through this book once again. It did seem like reading through a drama series with very interesting characters and captivating twists and turns. And what is wrong in learning great spiritual lessons from watching even a non-biblical drama with the help of the Holy Spirit? So the lessons I learned:

God can use a person with humble beginning to accomplish his purpose:

• Esther was orphaned at an early age and she and her cousin Mordecai were among the Jews in captivity. (Esther 2:5-7)

God can save his people from destruction by using non-believers (even enemies) in unusual (or miraculous) situations:

• King Xerxes was reminded of Mordecai's role in preventing his own assassination because he couldn't sleep one night! (Esther 6:1-2): "That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him. It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, who had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes."
• The beautiful queen Vashti decided to be disobedient when the drunk King wanted to show her off! (Esther 1:10-12): "On the seventh day, when King Xerxes was in high spirits from wine, he commanded the seven eunuchs who served him—Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar and Karkas— to bring before him Queen Vashti, wearing her royal crown, in order to display her beauty to the people and nobles, for she was lovely to look at. But when the attendants delivered the king’s command, Queen Vashti refused to come. Then the king became furious and burned with anger.". And because of it Esther had a chance to move into the palace and eventually became the new queen.
• The evil Haman tried to eliminate the entire Jewish people instead of just Mordecai, the one Jew who displeased him, ended up hanging on the very gallows built for Mordecai's execution. (Esther 7). Mordecai took over his office at the end!
• The entire condemned Jewish people became victorious over their enemies.

Over the years, I have reminded myself again and again that God has given me successes and put me in unique positions for his purpose and I must be obedient and follow his lead, even though at times it appeared to be risky. Mordecai's stern admonition to Esther is a reminder for me also:
“Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 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 4:13-14). This trip to Vietnam is an example of that. Praise the Lord for his years of preparation to bring me to this point. May I be a blessing to the people of Vietnam! May I be a channel to bring healing to the outcasts - the HIV infected and the heroin addicts. May God's name be glorified! May Esther's famous quote should always be mine also:
"And if I perish, I perish." (Esther 4:16) (Apparently there had been anti-Chinese protests in recent days!!).