Esther 4 - Esther's Decision

Esther 4 - Esther's Decision

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A. Mordecai's mourning

1. (1-3) He and the rest of the Jews bewail their fate

a. Though Mordecai is anguished at all this, we remember also that his integrity is the cause of it; he will not turn back and now grovel at the feet of Haman to save himself or his people

b. This is not only because of the personal integrity of Mordecai, but also because he knew the character of the laws of the Persians - that they cannot be changed once decreed (Esther 1:19)

c. He makes his mourning as public as he can before the king; and Jews all over the empire also mourn

2. (4-7) Mordecai explains the problem to Esther

a. Esther, living in the isolation of the palace, had not yet been made aware of this decree; she cannot understand why her cousin Mordecai is making such a spectacle of himself

b. Mordecai is well aware of the money motive that made king Ahasuerus receptive to this evil plan

B. Mordecai's request

1. (8-12) His first request and Esther's appeal to him in response

a. After giving a copy of the decree to Esther through a courier, Mordecai challenges her to intercede on behalf of her people before the king

b. Esther explains the difficulty behind this - she is only allowed to come to the king when called, and if she comes on her own, she could be in big trouble

i. Apparently, the life of a queen of Persia was not one of great intimacy with the king; it has been a month since Esther last saw king Ahasuerus

2. (13-14) Mordecai's second request

a. Do not think . . . you will escape; Mordecai reminds Esther that she cannot remain insulated from this decree anymore than anyone else

b. If you remain completely silent . . . deliverance will arise . . . from another place; Mordecai's trust is in the faithfulness of God, not in the faithfulness of Esther. He knows that God will not let His people down, even if individuals let God down

c. But you and your father's house will perish - Mordecai reminds Esther that though the fate of God's people rests in God, not in her, her own fate depends on her own faithfulness to God

d. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this? Mordecai knows that God has promoted this orphan in exile for a reason - and Esther must have the courage and wisdom to see that reason and walk in it

i. This principle applies very much to us as well; God promotes us or puts in a place for a reason, and we need the courage and wisdom to see that reason and to walk in it

3. (15-17) Esther's decision

a. Taking the determination of the Lord, Esther decides that she will go and make a bold appearance before the king, but only if she is supported by prayer and fasting

i. Jesus reminded us that special spiritual battles sometimes require special preparation with prayer and fasting; of a stubborn case of demonic possession, He said this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting (Matthew 17:20)

b. Her attitude in making this bold approach is brave: if I perish, I perish. Esther is determined to be obedient, no matter what the cost

i. Jesus exhorted us to have the same attitude: Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul (Matthew 10:28)

ii. Paul was an example of this attitude: To live is Christ, and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21)