The exchange of messages
between Queen Esther and her older cousin Mordecai have become more
and more serious. First Esther wondered what Mordecai was doing in
such a state of mourning, and why was he doing it. Secondly, Mordecai
answered her with the daunting news of an edict from King Ahasuerus
which gave permission for the extermination of the Jews, and Mordecai
desired that Esther appear before the king to stop it. In chapter
four and verse twelve we read where Esther sent back a message to
Mordecai about the dangers of appearing before the king without being
invited, and in chapter four and verse thirteen we see Mordecai's
response. We read:
Then Mordecai commanded
to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that you shall escape in the
king's house, more than all the Jews.
Our
verse begins, “Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther,...”
After hearing the response from Esther, Mordecai could have
decided that there was no hope for the Jews, and that he might as
well succumb to the fate that lie ahead of him. He could have
thought, “Oh well, I guess it would be too dangerous for Esther to
appear before the king, and maybe I shouldn't ask her to do that. I
mean, it's only all these Jews and myself that are going to be
killed. Why should I even try to convince her of the importance of
all this anyway?” But Mordecai did not think that way. No, rather
he answered, better yet, he “commanded to answer Esther”
in the manner of words he is about to say.
The
verse continues, “Think not with yourself that you shall escape
in the king's house, more than all the Jews.” Mordecai went
directly after Esther's personal position in all of this. She was a
Jew, and although they did a great job at hiding it, she was not
going to be able to hide it forever. Mordecai warned her not to think
that she would escape this edict just because she was in the king's
house. Although she was positioned as queen, she probably needed
reminding about how quickly a queen could be replaced. Perhaps she
would think about Queen Vashti in this process. Nonetheless,
Mordecai's commandment to the messengers was to let Esther know that
this judgment was coming, and as sure as it would come upon the rest
of the Jews, it would come upon her as well.
There
are times when we should make a stand against resistance. Even though
there may be good reasons as to why someone would be at risk if they
took a particular stance, God Almighty uses those who are willing to
suffer for His purposes. If Mordecai would have folded and not
responded to Esther's reason to not appear before the king, then
perhaps the elimination of the Jews would have occurred. Mordecai
stood on the basis of righteousness, and although Haman desired that
he and the Jews were to be exterminated, Mordecai was not willing to
accept his desire. As we ponder this verse today, let us ask
ourselves the question, “what are we willing to stand for today
that might cause us to suffer because of it?” Does it have eternal
ramifications, and if we do not stand, will it make a difference? May
the Lord Jesus give us the courage to take a position against the
places where we will not escape if we do not make a stand.
Next
time we will see Mordecai tell Esther about God's purpose being
worked out whether she does it or not, 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.
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