Esther 2:19-23, The “Perfect Timing” of Our God

3:19-23; 6:3. So much of this story is about perfect timing.  Esther didn’t reveal her Jewish lineage until the right moment.  Mordecai was not rewarded for his good deed until the perfect time.  But of course, the Bible has “perfect timing” written all over it.  “Perfect timing” is defined as “things happened in God’s good time.” 

In the case of Mordecai, he did the right thing and there is no indication he was upset that he did not get recognition from the king immediately.  When he was recognized, it could not have been better.  And if the good deed did not happen until right before the king’s sleepless night, it would not have been in the journals that were read to the king that night. 

There is a devotional thought here. In every complaint/murmuring/whining we are guilty of doubting the perfect timing of God.  Period!  You might say that you are not as important as Mordecai and that God should be a little more timely and that you are justified to take a shortcut rather than waiting on the LORD.  But why do you say that?  We are not that smart to say we know the “whens” better than God does.  Someday you will likely have a better grip on this, when you find out what unrewarded good deed accomplished. 

The classic “perfect timing” in the past has to do with the Incarnation.  But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law … (Gal. 4:4).  The classic in the future has to do with the return of Christ.  He will not return until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in (Rom. 11:25), that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him (Eph. 1:10).  The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Pet. 3:9).

As we said, there is “perfect timing” throughout the entirety of Scripture.  Nevertheless, let me mention one more: Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was (John 11:5-6).  By two more days Lazarus had died and been in the tomb for 4 days (11:17).  Ah, yes.  Perfect timing.  This same God is your present help in time of trouble.  Trust His heart.  Trust His schedule!