SCRIPTURE: ESTHER 4
MORDECAI PERSUATES ESTHER TO HELP (vs. 1-17)
When Mordecai knew of the edict, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, waling loudly and bitterly. When Esther’s maid and eunuchs came to tell her about Mordecai, she was in great distress. She sent clothes for him but he would not accept them. So Esther summoned Hathach, one of the king’s eunuch to find out what was troubling him and why.
Mordecai told him everything that had happened to him, including the exact amount of money Haman had promised to pay into the royal treasury for the destruction of the Jews. He also gave him a copy of the text of the edict for their annihilation, which had been published in Susa, to show to Esther and explain it to her, and he told him to urge her to go into the king’s presence to beg for mercy and plead with him for her people” (vs. 7-8). So Hathach went back and reported to Ester what Mordecai had said. Then she instructed him to say to Mordecai: “All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that he be put to death. The only exception to this is for the king to extend the gold scepter to him and spare his life. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king.” (vs. 11)
Upon knowing her reply, Mordecai sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” (v. 13-14). So Ester sent this reply to Mordecai: “Go gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” (vs. 16). So Mordecai went away and carried out all of Esther’s instructions.
THOUGHTS:
At first, Esther hesitated to see the king because she knew that entering into a king’s presence without extending the gold scepter means death. But she realized that she would not escape death with that decree. So, she presented herself as a living sacrifice” to do God’s will. Her words: “If I perish, I perish” was a testimony of a believer willing to give all for her God.
Esther called for a fast for 3 days and asked the Jews to pray for God’s help in her dangerous mission. She prepared and gathered support. Then she determined a course of action and moved ahead. She took action with confidence knowing that God is in control. In whatever mission we will be undertaking, remember to pray and prepare ourselves first. Then plan carefully and press on.