Esther 4

    I. \\#Esther 1:1-22\\ The Wife Who Refused to Obey
   II. \\#Esther 2:1-23\\ Choosing a New Queen
  III. \\#Esther 3:1-15\\ Haman Forms A Plot
   IV. \\#Esther 4:1-17\\ For Such A Time As This

IV. \\#Esther 4:1-17\\ For Such A Time As This
    A. \\#Esther 4:1-4\\ Mordecai and the People Fast
        1. \\#1-3\\ Mordecai and the Jews throughout the entire kingdom fasted
            and wept for the destiny which they seemed headed toward.
            a. \\#1\\ Mordecai rent his clothes, put on sackcloth… into the
                midst of the city" - Because of who Mordecai was and the fact
                that Shushan was a capital city, Mordecai’s behavior would
                have been noticed by many.  Of course, that was probably
                Mordecai’s intention.
            b. Even so, this kind of behavior around a king was risky.  It was
                not unheard of for a king to have a person executed for a
                lesser distraction.
        2. \\#4\\ "Esther’s maids and her chamberlains… told it her" - The
            queen, living in the isolation of the palace was unaware of the
            decree or of Mordecai’s very public behavior.  She was informed of
            Mordecai’s dress and public lamenting by her servants.
        3. "she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai" - Esther sent clothes for
            Mordecai to wear instead of his sackcloth.  He refused.
    B. \\#Esther 4:5-17\\ Mordecai Challenged Esther
        1. \\#5\\ Esther wanted "to know what it was, and why it was."
            a. Esther communicated with Mordecai through a servant, Hatach.
            b. Esther’s first goal was to stop Mordecai from behaving so.
                That failing, she wanted to know why he was behaving in such
                a fashion.
        2. \\#6-9\\ Mordecai explained his actions.
            a. Mordecai sent word to Esther about what would happen to the
                Jews if something was not done.
            b. \\#9\\ "to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to
                make supplications unto him" - In that explanation was an
                instruction that she was to seek help from the king.
        3. \\#10-12\\ Esther replied to Mordecai.
            a. \\#10\\ "who is not called, there is one law of his to put him
                to death" - Esther explains the risk of going to see the king
                uninvited.
            b. "except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden scepter"
                There is only one exception to the king’s law pertaining to
                uninvited guests.  Esther’s concise statement of the law
                signifies that she is very familiar with it.  Perhaps it was
                an often practice occurrence.
            c. "I have not been called… these thirty days" - Although the
                queen, it is obvious that King Ahasuerus had female companions
                beside Esther.
        4. \\#13-14\\ Mordecai warned Esther.
            a. \\#13\\ "Think not… that thou shalt escape in the king’s
                house" - There is no indication that Esther had this thought.
                At this point, Esther had not had a real opportunity to think
                about the situation at all.
            b. \\#14\\ "if thou… holdest thy peace… then shall…
                deliverance arise… from another place - Mordecai may have
                been living in Shushan, but he had faith in God.  He knew that
                God would not allow His people to be destroyed.  Although
                questions arise about the reasons righteous Jews would have
                stayed in Shushan, no blanket condemnation can be cast.  Some
                very godly Jews no doubt lived among the dispersed.
            c. "but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed" - There
                are no sidelines in spiritual battles.  You either join with
                God in the work or you join with Satan in the judgment.

Matthew 12:30  He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not
with me scattereth abroad.

            d. "who knoweth whether thou are come to the kingdom for such a
                time as this?" - While Esther’s marriage and its arrangement
                were nothing to be desired, it had put her in a place of
                opportunity.  Mordecai’s question hints at God’s unseen
                hand, which can take an unpleasant situation and use it to
                show His power.
        5. \\#15-17\\ Esther accepts her responsibility.
            a. \\#16\\ "fast ye for me… three days" - Esther did not have
                to think long.  Realizing the situation and understanding that
                God had placed her in an opportune position, she immediately
                knew what she had to do.  She desired that people pray and
                fast for her safety and success as she determined she would
                go see the king.
            b. "if I perish, I perish" - Life is precious and should never be
                squandered, but neither should it be horded at all costs.
                Esther understood the risks she took, but chose to reach for
                that courage that had sustained her more than five years ago
                when she became one of the king’s many women.

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