Esther 4:6–17

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Dean, School of Christian Ministries, University of Mobile

God Provides Deliverance

Esther 4:6–17

God works providentially to provide for and to deliver His people. In doing so He reveals His glory not only to His people, but also to other peoples. The end result is that the nations know Him, worship Him, love Him and fear Him (Ps. 67). Once again we acknowledge that though God is not mentioned in the book of Esther, His fingerprints reveal His providential handiwork throughout the book.

As chapter four begins, Mordecai is demonstrating his devotion to God, his repentance over his own sin and his brokenness over the death sentence decreed by the king. Mordecai’s sackcloth, ashes, fasting, weeping and wailing were understood by the Jews. In fact other Jews who heard about the king’s decree were acting in a similar fashion. For the royal court this was an embarrassment. The harem, along with the accompanying eunuchs, expressed their concerns to Esther about Mordecai. After Mordecai refused the new wardrobe she offered to him, Esther sent one of her eunuchs, Hathach, to speak to Mordecai and inquire about his behavior.

Mordecai’s Reveal (6–9)

In response to the inquiry Mordecai offered Hathach a report about the decree along with details of Haman’s conspiracy and the treasury budget for carrying out the extermination. He gave a copy of the royal edict to Hathach along with a request for Esther to advocate before the king on behalf of her people. Hathach took this information back to the queen for her consideration.

Our situations may determine our methodology. When Esther was first chosen to be queen Mordecai thought it would be in her best interest not to reveal her given Hebrew name Hadassah or her heritage as a descendant of Judahite exiles. Now that her people were in danger of a genocidal plot, Mordecai was asking her to take a different approach. As Qohelet writes, there is a time to keep silent and a time to speak (Eccles. 3:7b).

Esther’s Hesitation (10–12)

Upon receipt of Hathach’s message Esther had immediate responses. First, Mordecai needed to be informed that protocol forbade her from entering the court of Ahasuerus (Xerxes) without a royal invitation. She could die if she approached the king without his bidding. Second, he needed to know that Esther had not been invited to court in a month. As with any head of state in that day, following protocol could be a matter of life and death, both for the king and for the court. She sent her reply via messenger again.

Mordecai’s Appeal (13–14)

When Mordecai heard of the queen’s reservations about approaching the king his response was more direct. “Deliverance will come either by you or by someone else. If you remain silent, Esther, you and your family will die because of this conspiracy. But who knows? Perhaps your position has you in the right place at the right time to protect yourself and your people. Your act of bravery, breaking royal protocol, will provide the deliverance we need.”

Obedience to the Word of God may involve risk but disobedience certainly involves greater risk. Mordecai’s message conveys this to Esther.

Esther’s Resolve (15–17)

Esther received Mordecai’s message and she knew what needed to be done. She committed to fasting for three days and nights after which she would approach Xerxes. In addition she requested that Mordecai send word to all the Jews in Susa to join her in fasting in anticipation of her intercession before the king. Prayer and fasting are inexorably linked in Scripture and there is no reason to believe that Esther was asking for fasting without prayer. She knew she could die by approaching the royal court.

When you follow God’s directions you may lose your life or you may be the means of God’s deliverance for others. Either way, you win.