We all struggle with obedience sometimes. Esther was no different, ‘for such a time as this’.
Esther 4: Esther Agrees to Help the Jews
1 When Mordecai learned all that had been done, Mordecai tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and he cried out with a loud and bitter cry.
2 He went up to the entrance of the king's gate, for no one was allowed to enter the king's gate clothed in sackcloth.
3 And in every province, wherever the king's command and his decree reached, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting and weeping and lamenting, and many of them lay in sackcloth and ashes.
4 When Esther's young women and her eunuchs came and told her, the queen was deeply distressed. She sent garments to clothe Mordecai, so that he might take off his sackcloth, but he would not accept them.
5 Then Esther called for Hathach, one of the king's eunuchs, who had been appointed to attend her, and ordered him to go to Mordecai to learn what this was and why it was.
6 Hathach went out to Mordecai in the open square of the city in front of the king's gate,
7 and Mordecai told him all that had happened to him, and the exact sum of money that Haman had promised to pay into the king's treasuries for the destruction of the Jews.
8 Mordecai also gave him a copy of the written decree issued in Susa for their destruction, that he might show it to Esther and explain it to her and command her to go to the king to beg his favour and plead with him on behalf of her people.
9 And Hathach went and told Esther what Mordecai had said.
10 Then Esther spoke to Hathach and commanded him to go to Mordecai and say,
11 "All the king's servants and the people of the king's provinces know that if any man or woman goes to the king inside the inner court without being called, there is but one law---to be put to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden sceptre so that he may live. But as for me, I have not been called to come in to the king these thirty days."
12 And they told Mordecai what Esther had said.
13 Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, "Do not think to yourself that in the king's palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews.
14 For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not 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 to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish."
17 Mordecai then went away and did everything as Esther had ordered him.
Things to think about…
1. Mordecai is a man of passion and conviction. As soon as he hears the words of Hamn’s decree he displays immediate heart ache. It says in Esth 4:1, “he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and asheswent out into the midst of the city, and he cried out with a loud and bitter cry.” Everyone in the city saw and heard him. Mordecai made sure this thing was known.Our Lord Jesus sees our tears and hears our cries. Send those cries to heaven and justice will be done as you cry out in faith and hope to the just judge.
2. Esther tries to placate Mordecai’s alarm in vs 4 it says “She sent garments to clothe Mordecai, so that he might take off his sackcloth, but he would not accept them”. When someone is in deep distress, empathy identifies and sits with the person. I confess I have often failed to see and sit with people when they have had a heart ache. I am praying the Lord makes me more sensitive. May we never heal slightly, when the wound is so profound.
3. Esther asks he attendant eunuch to find out more about Mordecai’s distress. She is told plainly in vss 7-9 via Hathach. Often when we hear bad news we want to ignore it and remain in ignorance and comfort. Satan never rests and neither should we. Our rest will come, but that day is not yet. We cannot ignore wicked policies that Australia makes and hope that they will just go away. Abortion and anti-prayer laws are a disgrace in Australia and the church needs to stand up against them lest they continue to supress the gospel of Christ.
4. In Esther 4 we see the inner turmoil that Esther has to come to terms with what she has heard regarding the king’s decree and the news given by Mordecai. Mordecai’s challenge to Esther is in 4:14 – “And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this”. We all have responsibilities and opportunities in our lives. Everyone comes to a crossroads in their lives and will have to make life and death decisions. Esther would die anyway if this decree was issued – the law of the Medes and the Persians could not be changed, not even by the king. She had nothing to lose. What decisions have you had to make in the past that affected your future? What decisions do you presently have to make that will drastically affect your future? What have you got to lose by taking the challenge to the Lord and have Him deliver you?
5. The fast and prayer time is significant “and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day”, Esther 4:16. Deliverance will come after this. So too with our deliverance from sin by our Saviour on the cross giving us this and the sign of Jonah. After three days and nights in the tomb Jesus rose defeating sin and death. Whether Jew or Gentile, slave or free, all are able to be delivered by the finished work of the cross and the victory of an empty tomb. Hallelujah!
6. The Lord’s name is not written or spoken in this book, but we see Esther commanding a three day fast, Est 4:16. Have you ever been in such consternation about something where you have considered or carried out a fast to receive a favourable answer? Did you get the answer you were after? Jesus refers to some demonic activity requiring prayer and fasting, Mark 9:29 (“and fasting” not in some translations). Fasting is an intense seeking after God that when combined with prayer can be very effective in displaying faith and devotion to a God who alone can answer and deliver. When godly decrees are made the church is happy to obey. We see that after the fast is proclaimed Mordecai in verse 17 “went away and did everything as Esther had ordered him". May we go and do everything the Lord Jesus commands us to do.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Prayer points
1. Andrew Otte’s ministry over the next 3 months
2. New families as they settle in
3. A Worship Coordinator. Ashley Lui and the Solomon Islanders start on Sunday morning.
4. One for Israel ministry.
5. Conflict zones
6. Pray for new people to step into ministries at CBC – eg worship, café, sound/technical, giving, podcast.
7. Reform and Revival over our city.
8. Finances to cover our needs
9. Pray for ministries as they start back - PlayPatch, Kids church, Creche and Kids Hope at Karalee State school.
10. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to increase.
Praise Points
1. The birth of Eva Winchester – well done Ursula and AJ
2. Return of new families and other new arrivals
3. Conversion of Ayden – pray for his discipleship journey.
4. Worship leader may be close to being called to CBC. Pray for the leadership as we confirm the position.
5. The Lord’s grace over our lives and country
6. Café, music, kids church, admin, sound and technical team every week
7. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Andrew Otte to begin at CBC for 3 months from the start of August.
2. PlayPatch 1-5yos, Fridays 9:30am at church starts this week
3. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
4. Tune in again this week on our YouTube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for July...
Q. 34. What is righteousness? A. It is God’s goodness.
