God Protects His People From Annihilation (Esther)
Sermon Summary
Pastor David Yan
16 August 2026
After the Babylonian captivity the Jews were residing in Susa in the Persian empire.
The king of Persia was offended by his wife Vashti. She was banished. In this situation Esther, a Jew, was providentially installed as Queen of Persia. But she kept quiet about her ethnicity.
Note that she became Queen before the threat of extermination became known. God has his people in place before danger is manifested. Jesus was set apart before the foundation of the world before the world was impacted by sin.
There came a crisis. A wicked man, Haman, plotted the annihilation of the Jewish people. The Jews were generally tolerated in Persia but lurking below this veneer of good will was a hatred of the Jews. The world is not a friend of believers. Jesus taught that in this world we shall have tribulation (John 16: 33). Believers, do not love the world.
There came another crisis. This one was in the heart of Esther. Should she reveal her identity and try and save her people? Or should she remain silent and allow the extermination of her people. Through the counsel of Mordecai she chose to stand with her people. She would plead their case before the King. She risked her life saying “If I perish, I shall perish!”
The Jews were delivered because they had an intercessor in high places. Esther was that intercessor. Christians have an intercessor in heaven. Jesus lives forever as our high priest. We are saved by his intercession.
The decree to annihilate the Jews was irrevocable. This was according Persian law. But through Esther’s intervention another decree was enacted which also was irrevocable. This decree gave the right of self defence to the Jews. By the exercise of this right the Jews resisted the planned annihilation and were saved.
There was great celebration among the Jews. The feast of Purim was instituted and celebrated annually.
The story of Esther is that God’s people survive all plots to annihilate them. This has been the case all though history with the Jews. They are beloved of God (Romans 11:28).
This has also been true of the Christian Church which has survived all attempts to annihilate her. She survived the Roman persecution and all persecutions which followed.
Not only did Israel survive, she grew, for in the midst of her celebration she received other people who joined her. They were proselytes. The Christian Church though persecuted throughout history has grown.
Jesus is building his church and all attempts to destroy her will fail. He is Lord. Praise his name.