Beyond the Veil of “For Such a Time as This”

Growing up in the Black church, especially in the South, was a cultural experience all its own. The sermons were soul food. The music could make the angels in heaven shout for joy. And the Bible stories? Oh, we knew them. Or at least, we thought we did. There were stories I heard on loop, taught with such passion and authority that no one dared to question them. But looking back, some of those interpretations didn’t line up. Some were surface-level at best, and a few were just flat-out far-fetched.

I was curious by nature, but in the environment I was raised in, curiosity came off as disrespect. Asking questions sounded like questioning God, and that was off-limits. So we took the stories as they were given. No context, and no breakdown. Just “this is what it means because Sister So-and-So said so.”

As I got older, I realized the issue wasn’t always the theology. Sometimes it was literacy and comprehension. And sometimes it was just the danger of blindly repeating what someone else said without ever searching the Scriptures for ourselves.

When the Holy Spirit Takes Over the Study

Over the last two years, I’ve committed to sitting with the Bible, just me and the Holy Spirit. I haven’t read the whole thing, and I’m not in a rush to. This isn’t a race, but what I am intentional on is about unlearning, relearning, and being led.

And what I’ve found is this: God is far bigger than what I was taught. There’s a richness in the Word that church attendance alone can’t give you. That’s why I constantly tell people to read it for yourself. Wrestle with it. Ask questions. Let God meet you in it. He encourages us to seek Him for wisdom.

So let me ask you something. When you hear the phrase “for such a time as this,” what Bible story comes to mind?

If you said Esther, you’re in good company.

A Crown, a Calling, and a Conflict

Esther is one of those stories that’s beloved by many Black women, especially in the church. She’s often lifted up as a symbol of favor, grace, beauty, and divine timing. And rightly so. But the more I study the story, the more I realize: it’s not just about Esther. It’s about survival and politics, with a dash of empire. Most importantly, about the God who moves even when His name isn’t spoken.

Some dismiss the book of Esther because it doesn’t mention God. Not once. But for those who know how God works, this story is full of His presence. The Holy Spirit kept bringing me back to it. And every time, something new unfolded.

This isn’t just a “for such a time as this” kind of story. This is a story of divine setup, where every scene reveals that God is already ten steps ahead.

The Persian Empire Was No Joke

We’re in the days of King Ahasuerus, also known as Xerxes I. He ruled the Persian Empire from 486 to 465 BCE. This wasn’t some tiny territory—his empire stretched from India to Ethiopia. He was one of the most powerful rulers in history.

In Esther 1:3, we see him throw a grand banquet in Susa, the empire’s administrative capital. But don’t let the wine and decor fool you. It was a political power play. Xerxes was gathering provincial officials, military leaders, and nobility to secure their loyalty before launching an all-out war against Greece.

His father, Darius I, had already tried and failed to conquer Greece. The Persians got handed a devastating loss at the Battle of Marathon in 490 BCE. Xerxes wanted revenge., but he also carried the weight of his father’s humiliation. According to Greek historian Herodotus, Xerxes even had prophetic dreams about his campaign, dreams his advisers took as divine signs to move forward.

And what better way to kick off a military conquest than with a six-month binge party?

Vashti’s “No” Was Bigger Than Attitude

While Xerxes was showing off his riches and lining up alliances, Queen Vashti was throwing her own feast for the women in the palace. But on the seventh day, when the king was good and drunk, he called for her. He wanted to “display her beauty” to all his guests because she was “fair to behold” (Esther 1:11).

Historical and Jewish interpretations suggest she was expected to appear unveiled, possibly immodest or even nude. Whether she was supposed to be half-dressed or just dragged out like some prize animal, the point is this: it was disrespectful. She wasn’t being summoned as royalty. She was being summoned as entertainment.

And Queen Vashti said no.

Her refusal wasn’t just personal. It was political. A woman saying “no” to the most powerful man in the world, in front of a crowd, during a high-stakes moment in history? That was scandalous.

She humiliated him. His fragile ego couldn’t take that. And with the empire already tense, and the men watching to see who’s really in charge, he couldn’t let her disobedience slide. His advisers made sure of that. So he stripped her of her crown.

When God Moves Without Speaking

This is where the divine orchestration begins. Vashti’s exit created the vacancy. And God had someone already positioned to step in.

Enter Esther.

Now, I’m not going to retell the entire story here. You can catch the full breakdown on the Dear God, Lettuce Pray podcast. But here’s what matters. God moved every piece, from the exile of Vashti to the favor Esther found. A pagan king made a decree, but God made a way.

Many miss the supernatural layers of this story because they’re looking for a burning bush or a parted sea. But what about the God who works through court politics? What about the God who uses war, scandal, and systems of power to protect His people? Esther didn’t just stumble into her role. She was placed.

God’s name isn’t written, but His fingerprints are all over it.

Vashti Walked So Esther Could Run

Vashti’s boldness cleared the path for Esther’s obedience. The silence of God in this book forces you to look deeper. It forces you to stop depending on signs and start recognizing strategy.

Not every defiance is rebellion. Some are part of redirection. Some are the beginning of God tearing down a system so He can raise up a deliverer.

Esther had a calling before she had a crown. But she also had a choice. And when the time came, she chose courage. She chose purpose. She chose to allow God to equip her and prepare her to make a very important decision, and generations were saved because of it.

Final Word

This story is soaked in the supernatural. It’s a reminder that God doesn’t need to shout when He can shift nations without saying a word.

So if you find yourself in a place where He feels quiet, don’t assume He’s absent. Look again. Look at who and what got removed. Look at the timing.

And maybe you weren’t placed there by chance. Maybe you were positioned on purpose. Who knows...

Maybe this really is your time.