By David Faust
“Weeping may stay for the night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5).
Things looked grim. The evil official Haman persuaded King Xerxes to issue an edict calling for the annihilation of the Jews. But when Esther bravely confronted the king and explained the situation to him, Xerxes changed his mind; and what initially looked like impending disaster turned into a day of victory and celebration.
“On this day the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, but now the tables were turned and the Jews got the upper hand over those who hated them” (Esther 9:1).
That’s an interesting phrase, isn’t it? “But now the tables were turned.” The expression comes from the old practice of playing board games like backgammon or chess at a table. If “the tables were turned,” players had to accept what previously had been their opponent’s position. We use the expression to describe a significant role reversal or a change of outcome—a comeback in which an underdog gains the upper hand. When the tables are turned, the weak become strong, losers become winners, and disadvantages turn into advantages.
THE LORD, THE TABLE-TURNER
Although God remains unnamed in the book of Esther, it’s clear he turned the tables for the Jews. Instead of being destroyed, the opposite occurred as the Jews gained mastery over their enemies.
At crucial moments in history, the Lord has turned defeat into victory and misery into joy. He turned the tables when Hebrew slaves plundered the Egyptians before marching to freedom in the Promised Land, and when David defeated the giant Goliath. Jesus literally overturned tables in the temple courts because merchants and money changers had corrupted God’s house and turned it into a shopping mall (John 2:15).
The greatest table-turn of all happened when Jesus was crucified. It looked like the powers of darkness had won a decisive victory. The Great Physician was killed, the Master Teacher silenced. The disciples wept while the Messiah’s body lay lifeless in a borrowed tomb . . . but joy came on Sunday morning.
THE TABLE-TURN AHEAD
At the end of time, the Father’s righteous judgment will set this upside-down world aright. The tables will be turned. The last will be first. The overlooked will be honored. The weak will be strong. The poor in spirit will be richly rewarded. Mourning will change to morning. Long, dark nights of weeping will dissolve in the glow of God’s glory. Mortals will be clothed with immortality as death gives way to life.
Those who can’t walk will run and jump. Those who love music, but can’t carry a tune, will sing in harmony with heaven’s worship choir. The weary will rest. The sad will be comforted. Those who have been abused, misunderstood, neglected, or belittled will be enveloped in God’s abiding love. The blind will behold heaven’s glorious colors. The deaf will hear God’s voice. The paralyzed will leap with joy. The lonely will enjoy never-ending companionship.
For nearly 2,500 years, the Jews have celebrated the Feast of Purim and retold the story of Esther. But because the Lord turned the tables when he saved us by his grace, there is a far greater feast ahead. “Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” (Revelation 19:9).
Personal Challenge: Can you think of a time in your life when God intervened and turned a near-disastrous situation into victory? Are there any circumstances right now that move you to call on the Lord to intervene and “turn the tables” so righteousness will triumph over evil?
Author: David Faust
David Faust serves as contributing editor of Christian Standard and senior associate minister with East 91st Street Christian Church in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is the author of Not Too Old: Turning Your Later Years into Greater Years.
