Coincidence – or Providence?
Devotions for Growing Christians
Coincidence – or Providence?
Esther 4:14b - “And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?”
Read the entire book of Esther.
Is there such a thing as coincidence in your life as a Christ-follower? Can you “just happen” to be in the right place at the right time? What about being in the wrong place at the wrong time? Does God control and guide your destiny - even the people you meet, and the places you visit, and the particular times involved? Coincidence - or Providence?
The answer to that question is both simple and complex. It’s simple because the one-word answer is Providence! The Bible teaches that God is not only sovereign - controlling all things at all times - but He is actually guiding events in accordance with His eternal purposes. Ephesians 1:11 says that "He works all things after the counsel of His will." (See Psalm 33:11 & Isaiah 43:13.) Nothing happens by chance or by accident! What appears to be merely circumstance is really the outworking of God's plans.
However, the answer to the question of coincidence or Providence is also very complex. It’s complex from the human perspective, because of our finite limitations. We don't have the big picture to know what God is doing and why He is doing it. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:9).
It’s not easy to determine how far God allows the sinful will of man and the evil will of Satan to operate in this world in specific instances. Again we must acknowledge, "How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!" (Romans 11:33). How God is able to permit the evil and cruelty that has been perpetrated by men and the demonis hosts - and still "work all things after the counsel of His will"- is beyond our finite comprehension. When and where God interrupts His natural laws by miraculous, supernatural intervention is not always clear.
In addition, the relationship that exists between a believer's prayers (“answered” and "unanswered") and the outworking of God's pre-determined plans and purposes doesn’t have a simple answer. But we do know that "the effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much" (James 5:16). And we also know that "God works in all things for the good of those who love Him" (Romans 8:28).
So while the biblical answer to our original question is Providence - and not coincidence or chance - we must acknowledge that our understanding is far from complete. Sometimes it’s better to simply appreciate, rather than investigate, the intricate weavings of God's workings in history! (Read Psalms 131 and 139.)
An appreciation of Providence is one of the benefits that comes when Christians read the book of Esther. “Providence” is the overall theme of this Old Testament book. Although the name of God is not mentioned even once in Esther, throughout the book we’re conscious of God working behind the scenes to accomplish His purposes. Providence - not coincidence - is obviously at work in Esther’s life, and the hand of God is evident everywhere in this book. In fact, the concept of Providence is actually enhanced in Esther, because God chose not to put His name in the headlines. But His work is obvious everywhere between the lines!
There’s a great lesson here for us. Many times God doesn’t show Himself up front in His dealings with us, yet we can be sure that He is silently and continually at work in our lives to accomplish His good purposes. (See Philippians 1:6.)
The events of the book of Esther took place around 475BC in Persia (today’s Iran). The Jews had been exiled from their homeland over 100 years before, n 586BC. The Babylonian armies under Nebuchadnezzar had conquered their nation, destroyed Jerusalem, and burned the Temple. Then Babylon fell to the Persians in 539BC, and the Persian king, Cyrus, issued an edict that granted permission to the Jews to return to the land of Judah. About 50,000 Jews returned to Jerusalem at that time.
However, many Jews chose to remain in Babylon and other areas of the expanding Persian Empire. Some of the Jews prospered under Persian rule, and a few even held political office. For example, Daniel and Nehemiah held high positions in the Persian government. (See Daniel 6 & Nehemiah 1.) Esther's older cousin and guardian, Mordecai, held a government post. "Sitting in the king's gate" indicates this (Esther 2:21).
There was a significant amount of anti-semitism at this time, as Esther 3:13 and 9:1 indicate. In this historical setting, Haman, a high government official and the villain of the story, was confident that his scheme to kill all the Jews of the Empire could be carried out (3:8 & 13). Naturally speaking, it looked like all hope for the Jews was gone. The die was literally cast (3:7). Satan’s design to eliminate God's people, from whom the predicted Messiah would come, seemed foolproof. But - Providence was at work!
King Xerxes I (Ahasuerus is the Hebrew form of this name) was more than a little miffed when Queen Vashti refused to show off her beauty at his banquet and drinking party (1:10-12). Vashti's exile opened the door for a new queen to attain the influential position with the king. Providence! And it just worked out that a beautiful Jewish girl named Esther was selected as the new queen. More Providence!
Let's pause for a practical lesson. Isn’t it possible that our sovereign God has ordained your appearance or your unique abilities so He can use them in a special way - for His glory? Think of all the factors that "just happened" to fall into place for Esther. Even the king's mood “happened” to be just right on the date of Esther's appearance. This is especially significant, because extra-biblical sources reveal that King Xerxes I was a very cruel, moody and temperamental emperor. (This fact is helps us understand verses like Esther 4:11.) So Providence was at work in bringing Esther to the place and position to save God’s people. And by the way - God did not place Esther in a compromising situation. Her night with the king was not an act of fornication (2:14-16). All the women in the king's harem were considered wives of the king. Xerxes I was a polygamist, but Esther was not an adulteress.
Perhaps Esther 4:14 could apply to the position or job where God has placed you. Never think in terms of coincidence or chance or accident, but rather think of Providence.
Meanwhile, Mordecai "just happened" to overhear a plot to assassinate the king. This information was passed on to the king through Esther, and it was documented in the royal chronicles (2:21-23). Before long this event proved to be providential. One night the king couldn’t sleep. He decided to pass the time by reading the royal records. And he “happened” to read about Mordecai's loyalty and decided to reward him (6:1-3). God was even in control of the king's insomnia - and the reading material he selected!
In the morning wicked Haman arrived at the palace to request permission to hang Mordecai! Haman hated this faithful Jew because he refused to bow down to a mere man, even the exalted Haman. The king asked Haman, "What should be done for the man whom the king desires to honor?" (6:6). Haman's eyes lit up! He thought how he would be paraded around town in royal robes and crown! Little did he dream that the king had Mordecai in mind! And guess who had to lead the parade for Mordecai? Providence again!
Esther had concluded that she must act on behalf of her people, even if it cost her life. God had given Esther an influential position, but that didn’t mean her life would be easy, or that God would not test her faith. God tests our faith! (See James 1:3 & 1 Peter 1:7.) Are you being tested in the position where God has placed you? Can you in faith say, as Esther said, "If I perish, I perish" (4:16).
It certainly wasn't coincidence that Xerxes extended the golden scepter to Esther - and even offered up to half of the Persian Empire to her as well (5:3)! This was almost unbelievable! Esther was hoping only that the king would give her an opportunity to plead for her people. She certainly didn't expect a "blank check"! Providence! And God is still able to do "exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think" (Ephesians 3:20). (Incidentally, what would you have requested if half the Empire had been offered to you?!)
Because of Esther's courage and faithfulness, wicked Haman was eliminated and the Jewish people were saved. From the divine perspective it was Providence all the way through. Even Haman's cast of the dice was controlled by the hand of God (3:7), so the Jews would have eight months to prepare to defend themselves (3:7). (See Proverbs 16:33.) The Persian edict to kill all the Jews could not be revoked, but that was also part of God's plan (8:8). The new decree that countered this "law of the Medes and Persians" not only resulted in the preservation of the Jews, but in the elimination of many anti-Semites! The feast of Purim, that originated as a celebration of these events, is still observed annually by Jewish people.
All these events were the result of Providence. They were not coincidence! Events in our lives today are not governed by coincidence or chance. They’re all part of God's providential plan for our ultimate blessing.
- Dave Reid