Chapter 4 For Such a Time As This

When Mordecai heard the news, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and wept in the streets. He sent word to Esther, begging her to go before the king and plead for her people.

But Esther hesitated. "No one goes to the king uninvited," she said. "If I do, and he's not pleased, I could be killed!"

Then Mordecai sent her a message that would change history:

"...and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" -Esther 4:14

That was it. Esther knew what she had to do.

"Fast for me," she said. "Don't eat or drink for three days. I will fast too. And then, I'll go to the king. If I perish, I perish."

When Mordecai learned of the decree, he rent his clothes, put on sackcloth, and cried with a loud and bitter cry. He urged Esther to go before the king and plead for her people.

But it was not so simple. "All the king's servants... do know, that whosoever shall come unto the king... uncalled, is put to death" (Esther 4:11). Esther had not been summoned in thirty days.

Mordecai sent a reply-stern and prophetic:

"Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews.

For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place... and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:13-14)

Esther answered with resolve. "Go, gather together all the Jews... and fast ye for me... I also and my maidens will fast likewise... and so will I go in unto the king... and if I perish, I perish" (Esther 4:16).

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