For Such A Time is This

Esther 4

We continue reading about the crisis that is unfolding for the Jews. If we backtrack a little, Haman tricked the king in signing a death sentence for all the Jews. Mordecai, Esther’s Uncle, was the one Jew that Haman hated just because he never would bow down to him. 

Esther’s Purpose as Queen

All of the Jews that received the news that they would be hunted and killed on a particular day started to weep and mourn. They would wear sackcloth, a sack or type of old material that was a sign of mourning. Not only would they wear something but they would put ashes on their face as another sign. The Jews not only had clothes, or ashes on their faces, but they would cry bitterly. 

As all of this was going on we see a dialogue between Esther and Mordecai. Mordecai challenges Esther to speak to the king but Esther responds with, “I can’t talk to him until he allows me to talk to him.” During this time, the king would only allow someone to speak if he/she held the king’s scepter. If someone approached the king without access they would be killed. Esther fear was that she could not approach the king boldly and she could die.

This chapter is awesome because we see a lot depth. Mordecai responds with, “Do you think, just because you are queen, you can avoid not being killed.” And he also said, “How do you know that God allowed you to come into the kingdom for such a time is this?” After this Esther responded with, “If I die, then I die, I will talk to the king.”

God’s Sovereignty

The truth in this chapter is what Mordecai said, “How do you know that God has not placed you in the position that you are in for such a time is?” God purposely knew that Esther would be beautiful, that she would be her age, that she would live in that place, that the king would have open auditions for a queen, and that the Jews would be threatened with extinction. God holds everything in His hands even when we think things are chaotic. 

This reminds me of the chapter where God talks to Job. He asks Job if he was there during creation or about the ostrich (Job 39). God knows all things and nothing is hidden from him (Hebrews 4:13). I have no doubt that if Esther failed at approaching the king, God would use someone else or intervene in some other way. The great thing is that God uses people. We need to not be looking to be the big man trying to save the world, what we need to look at is the cross and how we have the freedom and ability to serve Him. When we seek God that way we are in his will and God has you in your place for such a time is this…