Jesus in the Old Testament is a series of posts that will offer my readers a chance to consider pictures or shadows of Jesus in the Old Testament. As mentioned in the introduction to this series, some may be obvious, some may be not so obvious, and some may simply be a facet of the Lord those reading may not have considered previously.

I hope as we venture through this series, we will see the Lord in many wonderful pictures throughout the Old Testament.

As we learned in our previous post, Ahasuerus put away his rebellious wife Vashti. Her rebellion was dealt with swiftly and in front of all the kingdom. Vashti was provided no opportunities to humble herself, ask forgiveness or submit. It was over for her!

The wife of Jehovah was dealt with differently. In the gentle and caring fashion of the Father, Israel was provided many offers to return to their marriage with God.

Hosea 14:1 Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity.

Yet she was not to be convinced. Though provided opportunities to repent, she did not.

Ahasuerus would spend months looking for his new wife, a wife that would exhibit humility and honor his name. When he found Esther, she won grace and favor from the King. His love was showered on her and the king found the bride of his hopes.

For Israel, the time came for the Messiah. As he appeared, the last offer of return was given to the nation. Jesus the Son was sent, and though the nation rejected the servants (prophets), surely they would listen to the Son.

Sad to say the nation rejected their Savior, but in the wisdom of God, He provided a way for all those who were of the physical nation to join the spiritual nation of Israel, otherwise known as the church. A church that is powered by the Spirit of God to enable those who follow after the King to be an obedient people, an obedient wife the the King.

1 Peter 2:9 ESV – But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Even in the darkest of times, when it appears all is lost and that any privilege granted by being in the nation was to be ripped away, the Lord Himself provides the opportunity and the power to be the obedient wife.

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

Ahasuerus found his obedient wife. Jesus has found His obedient wife.

Let us follow after our blessed Master, submit to His will and seek to obey in every request and command He issues to us.

May His name be lifted up in our lives!

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