How does Esther 7:5 demonstrate God's providence in revealing hidden threats? Text in Focus “King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, ‘Who is he, and where is the man who would dare to do such a thing?’ ” (Esther 7:5) Backdrop: The Danger Nobody Saw • Haman’s edict (Esther 3:8-11) planned the annihilation of every Jew in the empire—a threat hidden behind official seals and Persian bureaucracy. • Esther, under God’s guidance, waited for just the right time (Esther 4:14, “for such a time as this”) before speaking. • A sleepless night for the king (Esther 6:1-3) and the honor given to Mordecai prepared Xerxes to listen with sympathy. Providence on Display in 7:5 • Perfect Timing – After two banquets, the tension peaks; the king’s heart is open. – God aligns circumstances so Esther’s revelation cannot be ignored. • Immediate Exposure – The king’s two-part question—“Who is he, and where is the man…?”—shows how God moves authority to hunt out hidden evil (cf. Romans 13:3-4). – Haman, once honored, now stands alone, unmasked by one sentence. • Protection of God’s People – Threats concealed from human eyes are never concealed from the Lord (Psalm 33:13-19). – Providence not only reveals danger but also provides deliverance in the same moment (Esther 7:6-10). Echoes in the Rest of Scripture • Luke 12:2 “Nothing is concealed that will not be disclosed.” • Numbers 32:23 “Be sure your sin will find you out.” • Job 5:12-13 “He frustrates the schemes of the crafty.” • Psalm 37:12-13 “The wicked plot… but the Lord laughs at him, for He sees his day is coming.” Principles We Can Grasp Today • God sees every hidden plot before it surfaces. • He orchestrates ordinary events—insomnia, banquets, conversations—to expose what threatens His people. • Divine timing is never rushed, never late. What seems like delay is preparation. • God often uses faithful believers, placed strategically, to voice the truth that unmasks evil. • When the moment of exposure comes, He also provides the means of rescue. Takeaway Summary Esther 7:5 captures the instant when an unseen threat becomes unmistakably visible. The king’s startled question is more than royal curiosity; it is the outworking of God’s providence, proving that no scheme against His people can stay hidden once He chooses to reveal it. |
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