Esther agrees to go to the King

Esther 4:12–17
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Esther is unique among the books of the Bible in that it is the only book in which the Lord God of Israel is never mentioned. But you can’t read this book without seeing the Lord’s hand of providence moving in the background, preparing the way of salvation for his people. Last time, Esther sent a message to Mordecai, telling him that there was nothing she could do. She was not allowed to approach the king without an invitation, and it had been a month since she had last seen the king. “Perhaps he is growing board with me”, she might have thought. Mordecai’s responded thus:

1.     Being Queen will not save you from the coming threat (v. 13, 14). It was only a matter of time for Haman discovered her Jewish heritage and tried to have her killed as well. 

2.   There is always salvation for God’s people (v. 14). If Esther kept silent, the Lord would save his people another way. It’s interesting that Mordecai didn’t say “the Lord” would be doing the saving. It’s only implied. 

3.   Perhaps Esther was made Queen so that she might save her people (v. 14).

After hearing Mordecai’s response, Esther made up her mind. In three days, she would go to king. She accepted her death as an acceptable outcome (v. 16). She only asked that Mordecai and the Jews should hold a fast on her behalf, just as she and her maidservants would fast.  

Application

Am I committed, like Esther, to do right despite the possible consequences or am I just looking out for my own skin. Dr. Bob Jones, Sr. used to say, “Do right, even if the stars fall.”