After Hatach, Esther's
chamberlain, came to Mordecai to find out what he was doing and why,
Mordecai told him the story of Haman who not only desired that the
Jews be destroyed but also was willing to reimburse King Ahasuerus to
implement his cause. In chapter four and verse eight we see more of
Mordecai's response to Hatach, and he includes some specific
instructions for Esther . We read:
Also
he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at
Shushan to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to
declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in
unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request
before him for her people.
The
verse begins, “Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the
decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to shew it
unto Esther, and declare it to her...” Mordecai not only
desired that Esther know about this evil plan, but he wanted her to
see a “copy of the writing”. There is something about
hearing and seeing news such as this. Mordecai assumed that Esther
did not know about this edict since she was seeking him out through
Hatach, and he wanted her informed. We can imagine Mordecai, however
he got this writing, giving it to Hatach and telling him to notify
Esther all about this plan of genocide. No doubt he was very animated
and purposed as he shared.
Our
verse continues, “and to charge her that she should go in unto
the king,...” Not only did Mordecai desire that Esther know
about this edict, but she was to act upon her information. He desired
that she “go in unto the king”. It is one thing to be
informed about bad news, and it is quite another to respond to it. So
many times when potentially bad news comes there is acknowledgment of
it but little action is taken to respond. Mordecai desired knowledge
and action from Esther, and he knew she was in a position of
influence to affect the outcome.
Finally
our verse concludes, “to make supplication unto him, and to make
request before him for her people.” According to Mordecai,
Esther was to be informed about the situation, go in unto the king
and “make supplication” which means “ask him to be
gracious, show favor, and pity” them. She was to ask, desire, and
request that he do something different for her people than what was
written in the decree. In other words, Mordecai did not let Esther
simply hide out as though she were not a Jew as well. He was
informing her that the Jews were also “her people”, and
she could make a difference in the outcome of these events if she
were to appeal to the king.
Who are
“our people”, and what price would we be willing to risk to save
them? Has God Almighty put us in a position of influence by which we
may appeal to the king on their behalf? Can we put ourselves in
Hatach position today and become an informant? What if we were in
Mordecai's position and had to become an urgent instructor? Are we
willing to put ourselves in Esther's position and imagine receiving
this news? As we become these characters in our minds, perhaps we
will think of situations in our own lives where these applications
apply, and if we are living according to our Savior Jesus' plan, it
may be that we will be used by God to affect the outcome of others
with who we have to do.
Next
time we will see Hatach obedience again, so read ahead, and we shall
join together then.
Until
tomorrow...there is more...
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation” and the new marriage book “So, You Want
to Be Married” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ;
www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
No comments:
Post a Comment