The Banquets of Esther: God in the Shadows
God is working even when He is silent.
The name of God is never mentioned in the book of Esther, yet His hand is visible on every page. We see this most clearly in the four banquets that define the story.
The Banquet of Deposition (Chapter 1:3): King Ahasuerus throws a feast that leads to Queen Vashti’s removal. What looked like a royal scandal was actually God clearing a path.
The Banquet of Coronation (Chapter 2:18): Esther is crowned. God places His "seed" in the heart of the enemy’s palace "for such a time as this."
The Banquet of Petition (Chapter 5:4-8): Esther invites the King and Haman to a private dinner. It is here that the pride of Haman begins to crumble and the courage of Esther shines.
The Banquet of Commemoration (Chapter 9:17): The feast of Purim. What was meant to be a day of slaughter became a day of celebration.
The Lesson: God is working even when He is silent. He uses the feasts of men to accomplish the purposes of Heaven.