What role does providence have in decision making? A wellknown story is told of John Calvin, who had just written the first edition of his famous Institutes of the Christian Religion. He wanted to settle down for a life of scholarship in either Basel or Strassburg. However, he had to make one last visit to France to take care of the family estate. The direct route to Strassburg was closed because of war, so Calvin was forced to go through Geneva, Switzerland, where he intended to stop for only one night. When William Farel heard that Calvin was in town, he visited him and pleaded with him to stay and help reform Geneva. When Calvin refused, Farel called down a curse upon him: “You are concerned about your rest and your personal interests. Therefore I proclaim to you in the name of Almighty God whose command you defy: Upon your work there shall rest no blessing.” Later Calvin wrote: “I felt as if God from heaven had laid his mighty hand upon me to stop me in my course.”

The Bible gives us an account of a similar exchange between Mordecai and Esther. Mordecai, like Farel, challenged Esther: “If thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time … thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed” (Esther 4:14). This raises the issue of how God uses His providence to direct His child.

1. Providential Mystery⤒🔗

The book of Esther does not mention the name of God, but everywhere shows the hand of God. God’s hand is already operating in chapter 1, when Vashti is removed, and in chapter 2, when Esther is chosen to replace her. Yet, in the experience of life, what riddles there must have been! This is what we could call a providential mystery. Esther was placed in such a compromising situation. One could scarcely imagine a less likely place for a young Israelite woman. It almost seems like God’s name is absent for the simple reason that God was not acting. This, however, is not the case.

A second providential mystery is displayed in Esther 3. Haman, the Agagite, had devised a plot against the Jews, to kill every one of the seed of the Jews. Haman’s pride was injured by Mordecai’s refusal to honour him. Devilishly,  Haman set himself against the Jews. The Jews, of course, were the people called  after  God’s  name.

God had designed to bless all the nations of the earth through the seed of Abraham. Thus Haman’s design to root out this seed from the earth was also directed against God.

These providential mysteries are larger than many that we face. However, the experience of riddles and obscurity surrounding God’s providential dealings is something most of us can relate to. It may be a disability, or the death of a friend. It may be an experience of trauma, or an illness. It may be an unexpected turn in one’s job, or any such “crook in the lot.”

A providential mystery may not even be a negative experience. It may be an unforeseen opportunity, or unexpected meeting or contact. Nothing comes by chance, but all is directed by the hand of God.

2. Providential Opportunity←⤒🔗

When the Bible speaks about time, it presents it as filled with opportunity. Paul instructs Christians to “redeem the time” (Ephesians 5:16). That means to use our time properly under God as an opportunity to do God’s bidding.

Mordecai discerns a window of opportunity in Esther’s presence at the court. We read that he sent “to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people” (v.8). When she initially protests (v.11), Mordecai, like Farel, states the alternative clearly: “Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape” (v.13).

What drove Farel? What compelled Mordecai? Mordecai scanned the horizon of providence and recognized how God’s providence was mysteriously operating. God had taken a Jewess, a member of the people of God, and placed her next to the king. Indeed, she was under the king, but she was in the king’s court. As he scanned the horizon of providence, he saw providence pointing in a certain direction.

Esther, however, did not discern the same window at first. Her mind saw the same horizon, but saw only the obstacles and the problems. “There is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden scepter, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days” (4:11). But Esther, look at what you’re saying. Couched in the middle of her response to Mordecai is this. “Except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden scepter.” See, it was in her own words, but she was not focused on it.

She was focused on the danger. How often God’s people can focus on providence and pick out all the negatives and focus on them, and dwell on them. It’s as if their minds are drawn  and  gravitate  towards the dark and the gloomy and the melancholy. And if there’s a bright spot, and if a person comes and says, “but look at this,” they brush it away. Mind you, not every  providential opportunity is a providential certainty. How do we come  from   providential opportunity to providential clarity?

3. Providential Clarity←⤒🔗

Mordecai discerned a window of opportunity: “Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:16). However, only later does the text make clear that she was come to the kingdom for this (Esther 9:25). It is well enough to read the book of God’s providence backwards, but how do we see clearly when we are not reading backwards? That is the question of providential clarity. Esther 4 contains considerable instruction about this. There are a number of biblical principles evidenced here.

First of all, the Word of God ought to be our guide in all things. We ought never to go in providence where the Word of God says we cannot or should not go. Scriptural teaching should be a steady diet, and also in decisions we must make, we should bring Scripture to bear on our situation and bring our situation to Scripture. Although we do not see Mordecai or Esther consulting Scripture, Scripture is clearly on the mind of Mordecai. Look at the following: “Enlargement and deliverance [shall] arise to the Jews from another place” (v.14). This is, of course, exactly what God promised throughout the Scriptures. His purpose is secure. Nothing can change it. He will preserve a see and His Christ will be born. We have a complete canon, and God’s Word is a lamp unto our feet, and a light upon our path.

Secondly, the advice of a mature and seasoned child of God is very helpful. Esther is helped immensely by Mordecai; Calvin by Farel; and countless others have been helped by the advice of ministers, elders, parents, and other trusted friends. In the multitude of good counselors there is safety.

Thirdly, we should pray the matter to clarity. Even fasting may be helpful. Esther said: “Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink, three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise” (Esther 4:16). Scripture includes many examples of prayer for guidance (Psalm 25:4, Psalm 27:11). Fasting, too, can at times be helpful (see Acts 13:2; 14:23). If your struggle is like Esther’s struggle, call for prayer among God’s people and join in prayer with them. They are your best help, your best source of strength in terms of human help, aside from the Lord Himself.

Mordecai challenged Esther to discern in a double providential mystery, a providential opportunity, and God mercifully gave Esther providential clarity. May we seek that same clarity from God in faith, in accordance with His Word.

Questions:←⤒🔗

1. Though it is possible to have an excessive focus on providence, most of us have the opposite problem. Discuss what can help us in tracing God’s hand of providence without becoming obsessed with it.
    
2. Think of a providential mystery elsewhere in the Bible (or in your life) that turned into a providential opportunity
    
3. Mordecai and Esther had the same facts before them, but read them differently at first. What made the difference?
    
4. Why is it important to remember that the Bible must always be our ultimate guide? How can we best ensure that we are guided by it and not our own thoughts?
    
5. How and why might fasting have value in decision making? How can fasting be misused?