Esther 4 A TIME TO PREPARE There will comes into the lives of God's people, occasions that are of extreme importance over which we have no control. It may be sickness, injury or the unexpected death of a loved one. It may be some natural catastrophe because of weather, floods, fire or an earthquake. It may be when someone for whom we have responsibility has a great need that must be met, that we are faced with the fact that it is up to us to meet that need. On occasions there are divisive issues among God's people that we never expected and we have to make a decision that will affect our life and that of many others. These times cannot be ignored and action must be taken.
Mordecai understood what would happen when the edict of Haman was stamped with the king's seal. There was no reversing of the decision by the authority of any man. Only God could do what was needed. He did not wait silently or acquiesce with a fatalistic attitude toward what some people likely would say would end in death inevitably. Right away he took the place of a mourner and made public his response to the evil edict. He did not foment rebellion but made it plain to all with a loud voice exactly what would happen. He left his job at the king's gate because the present distress was far more important that his own personal position and comfort.
When one person is prepared to face an imminent danger and take public action, others will be inclined to join that person and do what needs to be done. The result of Mordecai's loud and bitter protest spread until all the city and then all the provinces the fasting, weeping and wailing of thousands of Jews disrupted the normal life of all the citizens. A protest against great wrong is understandable. Many public protests today are against sensible legal actions. Believers need to realize that our sovereign God can direct us to that which is right even in times of national unrest.
Those in high places often do not know what is going on among their constituents. It is not uncommon for them to forget who they are representing and simply do what they want for their own personal reasons. Esther and those with her were unaware of the edict against the Jews and all that was going on outside of their cloistered dwelling. When Esther was told of the mourning of Mordecai just beyond the king's gate, and that he was dressed in sackcloth, she feared for him and wanted to protect and preserve him personally from the consequences of bringing the sound of mourning close to where the self-centered king could hear it.
When we know there is cause for sorrow and there is suffering in the life of one of the Lord's people, it is our responsibility to find out the problem if we can, and help bear that person's burden and alleviate the consequences caused by the event. God's people need each other. Love for one another is a way we testify to others that we belong to Christ. Demonstrations of care and concern for the welfare of others has an impact on the lives of those who are self-centered and expect others to be self-sufficient.
By refusing Esther's offering of clothes and aid, Mordecai was able to communicate the seriousness of the cause of his mourning. Wisely Esther sent a trusted person who had a legitimate reason to be in the street to enquire as to what was happening. The great tumult would have become a real concern to Esther particularly when Mordecai was right in the middle of it. To Hatach, Mordecai gave a verbal report of all that was happening as well as an actual copy of the decree against the Jews. In that way Esther came to realize how serious the problem was and the consequences that would come upon all the Jews including her.
We may think that some things are none of our business, but when it affects God's people, we are affected because we are one with them. To seek to distance ourselves from everything is not right. It is wrong to push into matters that don't concern us, but seeking to avoid those that do concern us is wrong also.
The exchange of communication through the intermediary, Hatach, was obviously one of fear on the part of Esther and faith on the part of Mordecai. He was sure there would be deliverance from God in some way because he trusted in the sovereign God. However, he didn't sit back in complacency when he realized there was a way, he could do something about the whole matter. He also knew Esther could do what he could not. So, he urged her to get involved and participate in seeking a solution to a very threatening matter in spite of her fears.
When we have a difficult and maybe dangerous matter before us to deal with, we need first to calculate the cost of doing or not doing something about it. Life-threatening matters cannot be ignored. After facing the need and committing ourselves to get involved, each action we plan to take should be prioritized. Most problems can't be solved at once. Thirdly we need preparation of our own soul and plan the most effective way in which we can be involved, and then seek the support of others. Once a course of action has been decided on, don't wait to go ahead. To linger and procrastinate instead of acting on the solution right away means we may second-guess ourselves or get cold feet and not go ahead. Sensitive matters may seem hard when we think about them, but confidence in God who is in control of every situation gives us the courage to deal with the matter as soon as possible.
Esther needed God's protection even though she was the queen. The king had not called for her for a month likely because she had been queen for about five years and he had some other newer paramours. One's position, wealth and personal honor does not entirely protect us from being manipulated by Satan. In the urgent matters of life, we know that our only sure hope is in God. Our "God is able" to deliver us. We can rest in the assurance that He knows all that is unknown to us.
When it is within our power or reach to do something about a problem, we must not withdraw from taking action to correct it. Neither should we feel sorry for ourselves and allow discouragement and despair to make us hide. Mordecai first, and then Esther under his urging, took action by faith in God. It would have given courage to Esther to hear that she may have been put in that place and position several years earlier "for such a time as this" and such a meaningful purpose as this. She was not there just for the pleasure or whims of one man, but for the sake of thousands of others. For the sake of others, and for our own sake there comes a time when we must seize the moment with courage, conviction and grace.
The challenges of living will surprise us and concern us at times. We may not know now or ever why things come upon us, but trusting in the sovereign God, we must believe, take the action decided upon, and then wait on God for the outcome He desires to bring about. Prayer and fasting takes a matter off the "back- burner" and puts it in the place where it becomes first and foremost in our thoughts. Esther wisely got the Jews to think about the solution rather than just mourning over the problem. Thousands of people praying and fasting has a big impact on the outcome of a problem. Most solutions come to us when we can very precisely define the problem. That is why fellowship with believers is a great support in times of difficulty.
After thinking the matter through carefully, Esther took an action that could have cost her life, but she knew what needed to be done and was prepared to do it. Her brave attitude of trust was expressed in her words, "If I perish, I perish." She did not say that to be pitied because she knew what she was going to do was right no matter what the outcome would be. When our turn comes to take action on some serious matter, the pattern is simple. Know precisely what the problem is; determine the only sensible solution is what God wants; trust Him; and then go forward in faith.