Esther 4:1-17
Q.1. How did the plan to exterminate the Jews affect Mordecai and his people? What did Esther do when she heard of his anguish? What was Mordecai’s hope? – (Esth.4:1-8)
Mordecai and all the Jews were devastated by the king’s decree, which had been inspired by Haman’s hatred – … there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping and wailing; and many lay on sackcloth and ashes (Esth.4:3). When – Esther’s maidens and her eunuchs came and told her, the queen writhed in great anguish. She sent garments to clothe Mordecai that he might remove his sackcloth from him, but he did not accept them (Esth.4:4). Next, Esther asked for a clear understanding of the circumstances surrounding the edict. She was given a copy of the edict and learned – … the exact amount of money that Haman had promised to pay to the king’s treasuries for the destruction of the Jews (Esth.4:7). He hoped that Esther would – … go in to the king to implore his favour and to plead with him for her people (Esth.4:8).
Q.2. What dilemma did Esther present to Mordecai? Where did Mordecai place his hope and trust? How did Queen Esther respond to the trial? –(Esth.4:9-17)
Esther’s initial response did not encourage Mordecai – All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that for any man or woman who comes to the king to the inner court who is not summoned, he has but one law, that he be put to death, unless the king holds out to him the golden sceptre so that he may live. And I have not been summoned to come to the king for these thirty days (Esth.4:11). Mordecai then revealed in Whom he trusted – 13 Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not imagine that you in the king’s palace can escape any more than all the Jews. 14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?”(Esth.4:13-14). Esther’s response was sublime – “Go, assemble all the Jews who are found in Susa, and fast for me; do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maidens also will fast in the same way. And thus I will go in to the king, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish.”(Esth.4:16). She knew her Master’s call and responded accordingly. Jesus would place a similar demand on His future followers – 23 … anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. 24 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it (Lk.9:23-24).