The tension is mounting as
Esther has been charged by her older cousin Mordecai to appear before
King Ahasuerus in an attempt to save her people the Jews. Although
there is great risk to her personal life, Mordecai has let her know
that perhaps she has been chosen “for such a time as this.”
In chapter four and verse sixteen we read Esther's final message to
Mordecai before she goes into the king. We read:
Go, gather together all
the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast for me, and neither
eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will
fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is
not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.
The
verse begins, “Go, gather together all the Jews that are present
in Shushan, and fast for me, and neither eat nor drink three days,
night or day:” Esther calls for a fast throughout Shushan. Her
idea is that they should not eat or drink for “three days, night
or day.” It is interesting that she realizes that she must not
attempt this potentially life threatening move without others backing
her with a spiritual practice. She knows that she needs the help of
God, and she is willing to risk everything for this special calling.
She only desires that others be with her in this venture.
The
verse goes on to say, “I also and my maidens will fast
likewise;”This is not a desire that Esther wishes upon everyone
else and not herself. She knows it is a “we” thing and not just
for others. She includes herself and her maidens in the spiritual
practice of fasting. The seriousness of what she is about to
undertake requires not only the commitment of others, but also of
herself.
Finally
we read, “and so will I go in unto the king, which is
not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.” Esther
realizes how significant this move will be in her life. It could
actually cost her her life, and the risk is monumental for her.
However, her resolve is to go in unto the king regardless of the law
that is given that those who appear uninvited will be killed. She is
willing to take the chance that the king will hold out his scepter to
her and spare her life, yet she does not know for sure that he will.
Her resolve is, “if I perish, I perish.” Regardless of the
outcome, which would eventually cost her life anyway, she was going
to go in before the king.
As we
consider this verse today, we might ask ourselves when was the last
time that something was so important to us that we called for a fast
concerning it? A fast is simply the denial of fleshly desires such as
eating and drinking so that spiritual matters take priority. There
are many examples of fasting throughout the Bible, and Jesus Himself
spoke of fasting, however, do we ever fast about anything? Also, is
there a venue in our lives whereby we might do as Esther did and risk
it all? Are we willing to put our lives on the line to save others?
May the Lord Jesus lead us to walk in His will in such a manner that
obedience to Him will take priority over every preservation of life
we appraise as important to us.
Next
time we will see how Mordecai responded to Esther's request, 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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