Please don’t miss reading today’s post. It’s contains a critical message from Esther. Forward to someone who needs to read this message! This pic is in Malawi, 2016.

Esther 4
Haman has gained consent, authority and funding to carry out the extermination of the Jews within the Persian empire. The edict has been distributed and the provinces began to prepare to carry out the gruesome act on a set day in the future. Mordecai learned of the edict and wept and wailed bitterly. In each province there was great mourning, fasting and weeping among the Jews.

Have I lost favor?
Esther heard word of the edict and sent a messenger to Mordecai to learn what and why this event has occurred. Mordecai told him what had happened and gave him a copy of the edict to show Esther. Mordecai commanded Esther to go to the king to implore his favor and to plead with him for the people. When Esther received word back she agonized over the reality that any person who goes before the king without being summoned could be put to death if the king does not extend his golden scepter. Her fear and uncertainty were elevated because she hadn’t been summoned in thirty days. Perhaps she had lost favor with him???

The time is now
Mordecai hears back regarding Esther’s concerns. With great wisdom and clarity, Mordecai summarizes the situation by saying the following: “do not imagine that you in the king’s palace can escape any more than all the Jews. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this,” vs13,14. This is, I believe, is the most important statement in the book. Esther replied with a request for the Jews to fast and said, “and thus I will go to the king, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish.” Without mentioning God, the author of Esther has elevated for us an appropriate ‘high view’ of God regarding His Sovereignty and the certain fulfillment of His purposes.

Here’s a few observations
Mordecai knew that God would not allow all the Jews to perish. He knew about the promises of the Abrahamic and Davidic covenants and that God would fulfill them. He knew God would protect a remnant for the Messianic line, but he didn’t know how many other Jews would be killed. He quickly surmised that Esther had the best opportunity to save the highest number of people. Mordecai also knew that there is a reason and purpose behind the events of Esther. It wasn’t random good fortune. The events occurred for a reason. All that Esther was; the beauty, the grace, the winsomeness of her presence, was from God. All that had occurred to Esther was for “such a time as this.”
Be mindful of the timing of God

Most likely Esther’s initial response wasn’t out of selfishness. Her head was spinning! She just needed some time to process the situation. Upon hearing Mordecai’s firm appeal, she quickly came to her senses having the same confidence in God’s power and purpose as Mordecai. She determined to go before the king as a servant of God and leave the results to Him. Lord, may we be mindful of the opportunities you have given us. You don’t need us, per we, because You will accomplish Your purposes with or without us. But You kindly do want to use us, and we are blessed accordingly. We are honored to be Your servants. May we act as such and not consider our good fortunes as something we deserve but instead, something we can use for Your purposes and Your glory. Amen.