Esther chapter 4 (theme verse Malachi 3:16)
It’s unfortunate Mordecai’s name isn’t in the Hebrews 11 list of heroes of faith.
4:1, 2, Mordecai is as open as anyone can be about the troubling predicament. His prayers are loud and his petitions of God are very visible. And because he was in sackcloth and ashes, he had to leave the king’s court, as grief and calamity weren’t permitted in the sight of the king. It was customary for kings to ban anything not perfect and beautiful. (Even King David, 2 Samuel 5:1-8)
Mordecai’s faith openly honors God. Jesus said in John 4:23, God is looking for those who would worship Him in Spirit and truth. Matthew 7, Jesus said many who say “Lord, Lord” are fakers, but Mordecai is the genuine article.
James 2:14-26, says Christianity without accompanying visible action is useless. Just saying words proves nothing about faith in God. Someday, everyone who names the name of Jesus will stand before God. Can you image standing there and saying, “Almighty God, here I am. I didn’t offend anyone with my Christianity. I never upset anyone by telling them they were a sinner in need of a Savior. I was such a nice person, not one soul ever felt the guilt of sin because I never said there is One God and One Savior to save them forever from eternal Hell-Fire”
4:3, The rest of the Jews in the city also fervently prayed. It seems Mordecai may have been the Spiritual leader of the Jews and not just Esther. God is being asked to intercede for them. More proof God is in this book as they ask while in sackcloth and ashes God to intercede for them.
4:4-8, Esther knows nothing about the king’s order. Queens were more for show than kingdom affairs. All she knows is Mordecai’s making an uproar. Maybe she thinks his distress is for her. She sends a gift to let him know she’s fine only to learn why Mordecai will not be comforted.
4:9,10,11, Mordecai tells her to go to her husband the king and ask for the decree to be repealed. Esther explains what Mordecai already knew, observance of the One rule that won’t get you killed upon entering the king’s presence. Anyone entering the throne room must be in the approval of the king or they die.
God the Father has One rule for people who are allowed into His presence. (John 3:16, John 14:6, Matthew 22:1-14, Acts 4:12, Rev 19:11-15.)
Jesus answered him and said “Truly, I say, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” John 3:3.
4:13, Mordechai informs Esther that even though she is the Queen, the law will stand even in the Palace. King Xerxes is already known for keeping the laws of the Medes and the Persians, and though he may feel badly about killing her, he would not stop it.
Daniel 6:6-17, King Nebuchadnezzar was as much a prideful fool as Xerxes, when he wrote the law that had Daniel thrown to the lions. He could not repeal it.
4:14, (A parallel of Esther and Mordecai & Father God and Jesus) The book of Esther mentions no wife or birth children. I would presume that had he any family in the city, they too would be crying to the Lord with Mordecai. In telling Esther she has the power to save her people even though she may die, Mordecai, in a sense, gives his (only) beloved child to save the nation. (John 3:16)
4:14, Mordecai comforts her with her greater work for God in explaining she may well have been placed where she is for God’s purpose . But so is Mordecai placed by God right where he can accomplish the part he plays in the plan. The foreshadow of their connection in 2: 21-23is utilized for a greater purpose.
2 Timothy 1: 6 & 7. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind" Read also John 14:12-14, 15: 4-8, & 16. God the Holy Spirit, our Helper.
Never underestimate your significance in God’s plan. You may think you’re not doing anything but God may be using you for a greater purpose than you can see. The smallest encouraging smile can move a brother or sister to overcome a trouble you know nothing about.
4:16, Esther makes her prayer request known. The city now goes into unified intercessory prayer. This is the real thing when it comes to a prayer chain.
“Fasting does not make you anything special but it does make God everything in your life.” Anonymous
Esther willing gave herself as a sacrifice for her people. Mordecai didn’t know if he would ever see her alive again but his faith in God let him pray for her and send her to do what only she was positioned to do. She knew she could be dead in a short while, yet she was obedient to her father’s order.
Jesus prayed to His Father “Not My will but Your will be done” Luke 22:42.
Amazing! His city is in an uproar, yet Xerxes is unaffected. His heart is so callous he can ignore the wails and pleas of his own subjects he has doomed.
Lesson points:
1. Be visibly Christian
2. Never underestimate the significance of your smallest Christian action.
3. Pray about everything. (Philippians 4:6, 1 Thessalonians 5:17)
Extra reading: 1 Samuel 25. Another powerful man who ignored the right thing and put his people in danger. His wife was more understanding to the affairs of the household than he was and like Esther, she took her life into her hands to avert disaster.
Special application: Sometime this week, lay your hands on a close relative and pray for them. (Husband, child, family member, or a friend)
Something like this: “My Dear Father in heaven, I pray for my husband. Please bless his day, keep him safe, help him be the husband only You can help him be. Help me be his wife. Please be the God of this house, Thank you Lord . Amen"
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