August 1, 2023
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in Esther? Here’s today’s reading:
Esther 4 (NIV)
Mordecai Persuades Esther to Help
1 When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly. 2 But he went only as far as the king’s gate, because no one clothed in sackcloth was allowed to enter it.…..Continue Reading
Mordecai upon finding out what was to happen to him and all the Jewish people tore his clothes and put on sackcloth with ashes. All the Jewish people that heard of this death to be upon the Jewish people also did great mourning, fasting, weeping, wailing, and many were in sackcloth for many days. Mordecai and Esther through Hatach have a conversion that she needs to plead for her people. She realizes that the king could kill her if she just shows up without an invitation. Mordecai reminds her that if she doesn`t do this she will not escape the death of herself and her people. But God will only raise someone else up for this purpose. Then he says who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this/ [ Esther 4;14c ] Esther responds and asks Mordecai and the Jewish people that are in Shushan to fast and to eat nor drink for three days and nights. Esther and her maids would also. Then she says if I perish, I perish. In fact God did allow for Esther to be in this very position to do this very thing for her people. Sometimes we are where we are for God`s purpose. Whether in our jobs, schools, communities, et. Sometimes we might be the only people that are in a position to share about Jesus. God could use others to tell about Him but He chooses us. As Jesus says even the rocks could call out if He desired but He wants us doing that. May we be faithful to speak about Him.
Here
Esther would make a great movie which I would love to see seeing this incredible truth be brought to public. It has all the ingredients. Power. Relationship. Drama. Intrigue. How this book plays out is amazing to see chapter by chapter. Great reading of how one woman saves the Jewish nation from being annilated
Esther 4
“Such a time as this” We never completely know God’s plans for us and why we end up in certain places at certain times of our lives but Esther was clearly where she needed to be. Clearly where God wanted her to protect His people. I am amazed how much you see God’s working in the book of Esther without any mention of Him. Esther must be bold and brave and go before the king but she clearly is a woman that trusts God and loves and trust Mordecai’s and she is making herself ready through prayer and fasting for such a time as this!
Esther 4
I agree with Mark. What a great movie this would make. The Jews have a fitting response to hearing they will be annihilated and who knows what sympathies their actions might have created. But Mordecai goes to make sure Ester is aware of what is going on and provides all the proof she would need. We can also understand Ester’s hesitation to go before the king when if unwelcome, it would be the last thing she did. Mordecai gives stern words to her as well as words of faith and encouragement. He believes consequences will come to Ester if she doesn’t act. But he also believes the Jews will be rescued by some other means if she doesn’t act. And then he says his most famous words….maybe you have been placed in this position for such a time as this. It is a great way to understand how a sovereign God works. We are who we are, and are where we are for the plans He has for us. And so we all have such a time as thises waiting for us as we believe and follow. Every day really is an adventure to see where God will lead us and how He will use us in other people’s lives. And Ester responds with faith, courage and wisdom. She will go and risk her life, but she will ask others to join her in preparing to seek God’s favor by fasting.
And so the plot thickens….
Mordecai’s statement is something we could all contemplate when dealing with the trials of life; consider that you may have come to this position for such a time as this. And Esther replies with the words of a courageous, wise, young woman who loves her people “When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”