Esther 4:13 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. 14 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?" 15 Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai: 16 "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!" 17 So Mordecai went his way and did according to all that Esther commanded him.
We spend so much of our life looking back to the past or looking forward to the future it is sometimes shocking to be faced with doing something right now. Right away. No time to waste.
The diagnosis has been provided by Esther’s adoptive father Mordecai, the one who raised her as his own. She knows she can trust what he says. There is no hyperbole or overstatement involved. The truth from Mordecai: “Unless you do something we will all die.”
Esther’s response is one of bravery and wisdom beyond her age, which is a wonderful representation of Mordecai’s influence upon her young life. Notice Mordecai doesn’t instruct Esther about what to do, he simply informs her of the problem, (ALL the Jews are about to be killed, under the evil direction of the prideful Haman.) Note: How important we as parents build the Word of God into our children’s lives – as it may one day save ours.
Esther, when fully apprised of the problem begs for prayer and fasting on her behalf, that the Lord may give her opportunity and wisdom. I am fascinated by this. I think in her place I may have asked Mordecai what to say to the king. She didn’t. She asked for Mordecai to have all the Jews pray and fast, that God may tell her what to say.
Jesus said, Luke 12:11 Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. 12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say."
Jesus has told us we will one day find ourselves in Esther’s place. Speak or forever hold your peace. Life or death. Right now. You’re on. This is the way of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
We, as believers, will periodically be provided eternal life-saving moments for those we come in contact with. It was just such a life-saving moment that saved my eternal life – as it was yours. The question before us now is will we continue this lineage, or does it stop with us? Will we, right now, speak forth – even at great risk to our own position or reputation – even our life?
- Pastor Bill
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