ESTHER SERIES – CHAPTER 4

At the time of the publishing of the irrevocable decree for the destruction of the 15 million Jews believed to resided throughout the Persian provinces Esther had been queen for 5 years and yet no one in the palace knew that she was a member of the Jewish race for she had followed the instruction which Mordecai gave her when she first entered the palace to tell no one her nationality.

When Mordecai and fellow Jews throughout the Persia empire heard the decree of the scheduled massacre, they rented their clothes, put on sackcloth with ashes, fasted, mourned and cried bitterly. Also, Mordecai took his display of irrepressible emotions before the king’s gate for according to the law people could not go into the king’s courtyard while mourning. Esther’s maids and chamberlains heard about Mordecai’s actions and told Esther, causing her to become very upset.

Esther attempted to send Mordecai clothes to cover himself; however, he rejected them. Thus, Esther sent Hatach to Mordecai to find out what was the problem. Mordecai told Hatach about the decree, about the monies Haman promised to give to the king’s treasuries to assist in destroying the Jews, and he sent Esther a copy of the decree which was published in Shushan. Plus, Mordecai asked Esther to intervene on behalf of her countrymen to King Ahasuerus.

Upon hearing the problem from Hatach Esther sent word to Mordecai reminding him of the protocol of the court which prevented anyone coming before the king unless they had received a summons to do so and anyone who disobeyed this rule was put to death unless they gained the kings favor whereby he would extend his golden scepter toward them. Esther also informed him that the king had not requested her presence in the last thirty days.

Mordecai responded to Ruth by telling her, her life was also in danger, if she did nothing her extended family would possibly be killed, and help might come to the Jews from an unexpected source. Furthermore, Mordecai suggested that her queenly position was divinely orchestrated for this particular time in Persian history.

The chapter ends with Esther sending this word to Mordecai, “Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish” and to which Mordecai complied.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT:
This chapter reveals a few key battle strategies that will help all believers if they are utilized during times of spiritual warfare. After receiving word of the future plight of her countrymen, Queen Esther probably was fearful; however, she did not repeat or continuously rehearse the plot of the enemy nor disclose her fears to people. Esther did not rush to a meeting with the king, but she first sought divine direction. Esther and her ladies-in-waiting fasted, and she requested her countrymen to join her in the fast.

Reality has proven that sometimes in battle, you are wounded. Like Esther, there may come a time in with your life where you are uncertain about the outcome of your actions, and you will have to take a risk and trust God.

Finally, as I’ve stated in previous blogs in this series, your birth has a purpose, and the future will reveal exactly what it is, consequently whether you fulfill that purpose is up to you.