Esther and Ruth

There are two books in the Bible that use women's names as titles: one is Esther,
and the other is Ruth. Both of these women had a stake in the fate of the Jews
and even the whole of humanity; different backgrounds and situations, but in
their God-fearing lives and attitudes, they became key figures in God's plan of
salvation and participated in witnessing God's amazing works.

In Ruth, a Moabite Gentile woman married a Jewish man who had fled to Moab
because of a famine, and because of her love for her mother-in-law and her
willingness to make the Lord her God, she accompanied her mother-in-law back
to her Jewish homeland of Bethlehem after her husband's death, and God gave
her a new husband, Boaz, and a son, Obed, who became the great-grandmother
of King David and was listed as one of the four women in the genealogy of Jesus
Christ. Ruth offers us a picture of God as the redeemer of Israel. He saved them
from the bondage of slavery. He also saw the plight of two widows and worked
on their behalf to not only redeem them, but all of Israel through their family.
God used a poor widow from a hated nation to bless her mother-in-law, the
entire nation of Israel, and the whole world through her descendants.

Ruth teaches us that walking by faith requires action. God moved behind the
scenes in Ruth and Naomi’s lives in ways they could never imagine. He provided
Boaz —a man of standing and a redeemer —to rescue the widows from their
poverty. But each step of the way, the women had to walk through the open
doors He presented before them. Our lives often work in similar ways. We don’t
see God’s hand in the moment, but we do see the next step forward. Our calling
as His followers is to walk in obedience each day, which requires perseverance,
intentionality, and discipline. We can obey Him by loving our spouses,
approaching work with excellence, and serving others.

“Although often quoted in weddings, Ruth was speaking to Naomi, when she said,
‘Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my
people and your God my God’(Ruth1:16). わたしはあなたの行かれる所へ行き、またあなた
の宿られる所に宿ります。あなたの民はわたしの民、あなたの神はわたしの神です。 ( ルツ記 1:16
Kougo)There is a fierce jealousy, a fiery devotion, and a great loyalty between women
friends. Our friendships flow in the deep waters of the heart where God dwells and
transformation takes place. It is here, in this holy place, that a woman can partner
with God in impacting another and be impacted by another for lasting good. It is
here that she can mother, nurture, encourage, and call forth Life.”

How might you think or feel if asked to give up a place of comfort for a season of
uncertainty? What safety nets do we depend on instead of depending on God,
our lifeline?

Esther was a Jewish woman who was taken into captivity in a foreign country,
then married a Gentile king and had the opportunity to save the Judeans from
perishing because she was given the position of queen. Queen Esther had a
choice, she could rest in peace, enjoy herself in the palace and leave her affairs
alone. Or she could seize the moment and put herself on the line, even sacrificing
herself for the nation.

Esther 4:13-14 is where we see Mordecai making a subtle yet compelling

connection to the Divine for Queen Esther: “Do not think that because you are in
the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at
this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but
you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come
to your royal position for such a time as this?” 「あなたは王宮にいるゆえ、すべてのユダ
ヤ人と異なり、難を免れるだろうと思ってはならない。あなたがもし、このような時に黙っているなら
ば、ほかの所から、助けと救がユダヤ人のために起るでしょう。しかし、あなたとあなたの父の家とは
滅びるでしょう。あなたがこの国に迎えられたのは、このような時のためでなかったとだれが知りまし
ょう」。 (エステル記 4:13-14 Kougo) God is in this!

Mordecai’s response falls heavy onto Queen Esther’s shoulders. Up to this point,
she has not revealed her ethnicity to the king. She is in a position to save her
people. Queen Esther is no longer that powerless young woman brought to the
king’s harem. Hegai, who was in charge of the harem, prepared First Lady
Queen Esther well. Persian customs and culture are no longer foreign to her.

In Esther 4:15-16, Queen Esther calls for the Jews in Susa to fast for her, eating
and drinking nothing for three days and nights. She says, “When this is done, I
will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish. ”
「そしてわたしは法律にそむくことですが王のもとへ行きます。わたしがもし死なねばならないのなら 、
死にます」。 (エステル記 4:16 Kougo) There are sighs and relief. It is time to embrace
the moment!

Queen Esther strategically sets the stage for her own banquets. It came at the
right time, with the right audience and under the right circumstances. She is
intelligent, courageous, and patient. Esther pours out her heart by falling at the
king’s feet, weeping and pleading mercy on behalf of her people. Her act of
desperation is not a selfish move on her part. Queen Esther’s tears cease as she
arises in response to King Ahasuerus lowering his scepter, granting her the
audience she desires. Favor follows Esther from the moment she came to the
royal palace. The king’s edict made it possible for the Jews to protect themselves
and to be safe in every city in the kingdom. Queen Esther’s actions help change
the fate of her people.

God isn’t absent from our current circumstances. God loves us and has
redeemed us through His Son. The Spirit lives in us. His hand moves both in the
intimate details of our lives and in the moving pieces of history. He is sovereign
and good. As His followers, we are called to become like Him. “Whatever your
particular calling, you are meant to grace the word with your dance, to follow the
lead of Jesus wherever he leads you. He will lead you first into himself; and then,
with him, he will lead you into the world that he loves and needs you to love. ” “Be
joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is
God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”(1Thessalonians 5:16-18) いつも喜んでいなさい。絶
えず祈りなさい。すべての事について、感謝しなさい。これが、キリスト・イエスにあって、神があな
たがたに求めておられることである。 (テサロニケの信徒への手紙一 5:16-18 Kougo)

References
<Captivating-John and Stasi Eldredge>

<NIV, Kougo version Bible>