The broad storyline of the Old Testament is the faithfulness of God towards an unfaithful people. In order for one to properly make sense of the events that take place in the book of Esther, one must look to interpret with the Abrahamic, Mosaic, and Davidic covenants. One must look to know who God is, and what He has said, to understand God' sovereignty over the lives of His exiled people.
Simply put, God, by His own initiation, entered into an epochal, everlasting covenant with Abraham and his descendants (Genesis 15 ESV). This covenant was forged by God, for God, and, the intrinsic value of this covenant was not contingent upon Abraham, or his descendant’s ability to remain faithful. The faithfulness of this covenant is upon the head of the initiator, God! This covenant not only bestowed blessing upon the souls of the people, but, it included a portion of land, as an inheritance. A quick historical summary on Jewish history will prove as a means to reveal how all hell has tried to eliminate the fulfillment of this covenant, both its people, and the land.
The modern anti-Israel social justice movement, much of the Church included, is under the spell of the principalities and the powers of the air concerning this issue. Not to ignore the godlessness of the state of modern Israel, at all. However, Israel will be judged by God, on God’s terms. The Abrahamic covenant must be the filter for which we discern Israel in our modern, historical context. Many American Christians have a myopic understanding concerning biblical mercy. We have measured sin by its level of moral and social injustice. We are quick to crucify, slow to restore. God’s mercy is scandalous, namely, by its refusal to operate out of merit. The Abrahamic Covenant persuades us to judge Israel through the eyes of our covenant making God and His relentless faithfulness towards her. Thus, the broad storyline of the Old Testament is comprised of God’s perpetual faithfulness to Israel, even in their disobedience.
Four hundred thirty years after Abraham, came the Mosaic Covenant, a covenant given to Moses with contingencies to occupy the promised land. The Mosaic covenant does not replace or make void the Abrahamic covenant (Galatians 3:15-18 ESV). Rather, Deuteronomy chapter four, exegetically, God is communicating the culture of His heartbeat. God had two things in mind, both related to the land, in establishing this contingent based covenant with Moses, and the people of Israel. (1) His law would be a safe haven from immorality and corruptive nature. The Mosaic Covenant establishes the promise of God to keep His people safely in the land, so as long as they abide in His laws (Deut 4:1-2 ESV). (2) The establishing of God’s law would serve as an example to the glory of God to all nations. God, from the conception of the State of Israel, had in mind the glorification of Himself before all Nations (Deut 4:5-8 ESV).
The consequence of breaking this covenant results in expulsion from the promised land (Deut 4:26-27 ESV). God is true to His word. Israel strayed from the word of the Lord, ignored the prophetic warning of Jeremiah and his contemporaries, thus, Babylon swept them into captivity (586 B.C). Thankfully, God, in His mercy, gave a way to regain the promised land. Israel, in her distress, cries out to the Lord. The Lord hears, He applies mercy, remains faithful to His word, and makes a way for Israel to return to the land (Deut 4:30-31 ESV). We see it again in 70 A.D. by the hand of the Romans, Israelites are expelled from the land, until 1948. By this, we look at an evil, anti-God, Israeli State, and we must assume that God must act according to the contingencies of this covenant, but we must do so through the lens of God’s future mercies and future grace for His covenantal people. This is where we find Esther’s context; an exiled people at the hands of the Lord. The book of Esther portrays God through His hidden faithfulness to preserve His people, even in disobedience; even under foreign authority.
The relationship between God, the land, the people, and His law are seen clearly through the Davidic covenant. The Davidic Covenant is an unconditional, eternal promise from God. It is a prophetic declaration of God’s faithfulness to set up and establish an eternal, incorruptible and indestructible dwelling place. This kingdom is to come through the lineage of David (2 Sam 7:10-13; 1 Chron 17:11-14 ESV). The Davidic Covenant is a reassurance of sorts, encouragement that God has not forgotten His covenant with Abraham and his descendants. Like the Abrahamic Covenant, it is an unconditional covenant, made by God, for God. He will remain true and faithful to Himself concerning covenantal promises to Israel. Though the Triune God is not mentioned by name in the book of Esther, the narrative actively proves His hidden activity, it actively portrays Israel suffering consequence of her disobedience, and it proves God’s faithfulness to remain faithful through the sovereign preservation of Esther and her people.
In conclusion, modern Israel is a far cry from faithfulness to God. Yet, Yahweh is the setter of covenantal contingencies. As in the book of Esther, we must look at modern Israel through the lens of our covenantally faithful God. It is not to pacify the wickedness of Israel, it is to trust Yahweh' leadership in disciplining His people-and restoring His people. God is a jealous God, who deals with His people in His own timing, and in His own ways. It is up to us to pray for the redemption of Israel-that her day of salvation would be hastened in our attempts at making her jealous for Jesus, her Messiah (Romans 11:11-15, 26 ESV). The book of Esther portrays faithful Yahweh saving unfaithful Israelis, who are in exile under Persian rule for covenantal infidelity. God did not wait for Esther and her people to repent, He saved them...showing Himself powerful, and faithful to uphold His own initiated covenant. As will He do in the days to come-All Israel shall be saved.