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For Such A Time As This
For Such A Time As This
An interesting line in the book of Esther: "… who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14). It often seems that there is someone who arises in a time of crisis that is 'custom made for the situation'. I think of men like Abraham Lincoln and Winston Churchill. Yet, part of the 'custom made' aspect is that the very times help make them. While we don't know what would have happened if what happened didn't happen, it is easy to speculate that without the situation of their early lives they would not have been prepared to step up and do what they did.
Biblically we have been reading of a parade of such men. Jeremiah was a relentless messenger for God. Although he suffered at the very hands of the people he served, he continued to deliver God's message. Ezekiel was his counterpart. While Jeremiah preached in Judea, Ezekiel preached to those in captivity. Of course there was also Daniel. He was such a great man of conviction and integrity. Such character was needed as he walked the fine line of being a counselor to a foreign king and being a servant of the God of heaven.
These men, and others, arose to prepare the people for the devastation of their country and the captivity of their people. They provided a foundation for the people to understand what God was doing and thus to remain faithful during difficult times.
As we turn to the books of Ezra and Nehemiah we see the need of yet other men to arise and lead the people. The magnitude of leading a large group of people hundreds of miles from Babylon back to Judea is an awesome task. Perhaps the even greater task is to organize them and lead them in the rebuilding and reorganizing of their nation. Not only was there no 'superstructure' of a nation, no commerce, no cities, no homes, etc., but this was a generation that would have been almost completely devoid of the religion of the temple.
Ezra is the man prepared for this job. Such preparation wasn't an accident but a chosen lifestyle. We read that "…Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel" (Ezra 7:10). Such preparation must take place before the need arises. This is what makes such things difficult. Many people, upon seeing the situation, would attempt to step up to the task but they are unprepared. It is too late to prepare when you are faced with the task.
Are we to be ones that 'have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" We can be if we have prepared for it. It begins with knowing God through His word. Such knowledge must then be applied as 'we do' what we have learned. This allows us to teach, guide, reprove, and lead others in the way of righteousness. There is always a need for such men as Ezra in the kingdom of God.
Hugh DeLong
