Esther’s got a big but. There’s no way around it. It’s one of those life altering appearances–it jumps right out at you. Take a look:

And who knows but that you have come to royal position for just such a time as this?

See what I mean? That’s huge! Mordecai pointed out to Esther that all that has happened to her–we might have called coincidences–may indeed have been orchestrated by God Himself to put her in the very circumstances she was in, for a specific purpose. His purpose.

Things like her having been carried away in the exile; having lost her parents; having been raised by her cousin Mordecai like he was her father; having been drafted into the search for a queen; having found favor with several key people in that process; having been made Queen; having hid her nationality thus far–all of this and more. Did it all happen by chance? Or is it a part of a bigger picture unfolding?

The book of Esther really outlines nicely around appearances of the word but. You can start at the beginning with Queen Vashti. She had a pretty big but of her own there in chapter one. A few, actually. Take a look. Even Mordecai had a big but. Haman, too. King Zerxes wasn’t lacking in conjunctions. They’re everywhere. Twenty-one big buts literally walk you through the story of Esther.

They help you understand why Vashti’s decision really worried the king and his nobles. They give you insight into Esther’s unique position and its purpose. They give you insights into Mordecai’s and Haman’s dislike for each other, and insights into their character. They help unfold the story, and God’s preserving the line of Christ against another attempt to derail it.

Give Esther a read. Follow the big buts.