We previously established our method for identifying types of the third day resurrection:
- We read an Old Testament passage with a keyword such as “third day” or “three days”.
- We stop, knowing that such a keyword may be pointing to a prophetic foreshadow of Christ’s resurrection.
- We examine the passage and see if it qualifies as a type.
Applying this method when reading through Scripture, we would stop at a certain point in the book of Esther. The summary of Esther’s story is that she was a Jew who ascended to the position of queen of Persia, by God’s providence. When a plot to kill the Jews came to her knowledge, she was in a position as queen to approach the king, foil the plot, save her people, and keep the Messianic hope alive.
Even though she was queen, it was not without risk that she approached the king to try to save her people, for the custom of the land was that the king was never approached without him first summoning the person who approached. Here is what Esther said about the custom:
Despite the law, Esther decided to risk her own life and approach the king without a summons, to try to save the Jews. But, before she approached the king, she requested a fast of the Jews.
After this fast, she approached the king.
Those familiar with the story know that Esther was able to successfully arrange for the preservation of her people, by making the king aware of Haman’s plot. As we ponder these events in Esther’s life, the three day fast and her third day audience with the king, we can draw parallels between her account and that of Christ’s resurrection.
| Event in Esther | New Testament Parallel |
|---|---|
| Haman plotted to kill the Jews | Satan plotted to kill all humanity by successfully tempting Adam and Eve to sin |
| The plot became known to Esther | God knew that Adam and Eve sinned against Him and that all humanity had now become condemned |
| Esther, as queen, was in a position to intercede on behalf of her people | Christ, as Son of God and the Messianic King, was in a position to intercede on behalf of His people |
| For three days, there was mystery as to whether Esther would be killed or granted life by the king | For three days, there was mystery as to whether Christ would rise from the dead |
| On the third day, the king granted Esther life | On the third day, Christ was raised from the dead |
| Because of the third day, Esther successfully interceded for her people | Because of the third day, Christ successfully interceded for His people |
Just like the account of Elijah and Elisha that we previously looked at, these parallels are sufficient to conclude that the account of Esther and the three day fast are a type of Christ’s third day resurrection. This places Esther on our growing list of major Old Testament figures who were involved in a spectacular circumstance involving a three day span of time.
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