When Mordecai learned all that had happened, he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city. He cried out with a loud and bitter cry.
Esther 4:1
Today we find ourselves back in the book of Esther. In Chapter 4 we find Mordecai in the streets, tearing his clothes in grief and crying out against the destruction that is planned for his people. Queen Esther hears of Mordecai’s behaviour and initially sends to “fix” things up.
So Esther’s maids and eunuchs came and told her, and the queen was deeply distressed. Then she sent garments to clothe Mordecai and take his sackcloth away from him, but he would not accept them.
Esther 4:4
How many times do we find ourselves in that situation. Not taking the time to figure out what is really going on with ourselves or with others, reaching for the easy “cover up” or quick fix.
Then Esther called Hathach, one of the king’s eunuchs whom he had appointed to attend her, and she gave him a command concerning Mordecai, to learn what and why this was.
Esther 4:5
When the quick fix didn’t work Esther was forced to stop, take a moment to dig a little deeper, and see what was really going on. It wasn’t everyday that Mordecai was found wandering, crying and half clothed.
And Mordecai told him all that had happened to him, and the sum of money that Haman had promised to pay into the king’s treasuries to destroy the Jews.
He also gave him a copy of the written decree for their destruction, which was given at Shushan, that he might show it to Esther and explain it to her, and that he might command her to go in to the king to make supplication to him and plead before him for her people.
Esther 4:7-8
Mordecai quickly sends word to Queen Esther so that she knows, not only what is going on outside the palace, but also advising her on her responsibility for and duty to her people to go before the King to plead for their lives. How quickly her offer of clothing gets turned around and a request for an offering of her life is made!
Esther’s response is interesting.
Then Esther spoke to Hathach, and gave him a command for Mordecai:
“All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that any man or woman who goes into the inner court to the king, who has not been called, he has but one law: put all to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter, that he may live. Yet I myself have not been called to go in to the king these thirty days.”
Esther 4:11-12
When the storm is approaching and the King is quiet.
Queen Esther, who, not much earlier appeared to be in such favour with the King- chosen by the King, the feast of Esther was planned in her honour and and she was declared Queen….
But she has not been called before the King in 30 days.
But the storm is coming – a storm that has the potential to wipe out her people. A people, who until this time, she has not even identified herself with.
Now Mordecai, has called her to approach the King without permission and plead for the lives of her people. Both of them know that the potential penalty of coming before the King, unbidden, is death.
It seems in life that it often gets quiet spiritually, just before the storm. In those quiet times, how much do we trust our KING? When He is still and we don’t hear His voice, do we know that we still live in His love and favour and grace?
We are children of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Even when He is still and we move through a time of quiet, we must remember that He is still there – large and in charge – and loving us. He is ready and able to hold out the scepter of favour in our direction at all times – if only we would seek to come into His presence.
Mordecai reminds Esther of her duty to approach the King as well as God’s ability to use another if she does not step forward in faith to be used of Him to save His people.
And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: “Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews.
“For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
Esther 4:14-15
“For such a time as this” – we are created, individually and uniquely, for a time and a purpose. But that time and purpose doesn’t always look glamorous like we may have imagined it. Sometimes it looks dangerous and/or even foolish.
Queen Esther was a Queen – but by setting herself before the King, she would be putting her life in danger. But as Mordecai reminded her – this is very likely the WHOLE reason she was placed in the position of Queen in the first place.
For such a time as this.
Mordecai was Esther’s voice of direction. In our lives the Holy Spirit will guide and directs our steps , if we allow Him.
Esther did two things of importance as she accepted her “time and purpose”:
1) Called for the people to fast and pray – in unity
2) Trusted God for the end
Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai:
“Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!”
So Mordecai went his way and did according to all that Esther commanded him.
Esther 4:16-17
Which path will you chose?
Will you accept “for such a time as this” and step forward in faith?
Will you turn away in fear and later regret?
Will you call on those closest to you to support you?
Will you trust your end to the Lord?
The King is often quiet just before the storm.
For Such a Time As This
