The dialog by means of
Hatach between Esther and Mordecai has been interesting to watch as
Esther discovered why Mordecai was mourning and Mordecai desires that
Esther go in before King Ahasuerus to make an appeal for her people.
In chapter four and verse eleven Esther shares a concern she has
about going into the king without being invited. We read:
All
the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know,
that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into
the inner court, who is not called, there is one law
of his to put him to death, except such to whom the
king shall hold out the golden scepter, that he may live: but I have
not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.
Our verse begins, “All the king's servants, and the people of
the king's provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman,
shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called,
there is one law of his to put him to
death,...” Everyone in the kingdom knew about King Ahasuerus'
rule – no one was to enter the king's court unless they were called
to do so. Now we may wonder how this law came to be, but in a day
when kings were eliminated one after another, we might understand the
security aspects of this rule. Let's note once again who knew this –
the king's servants, the people of the king's provinces, whosoever –
man or woman. It really didn't matter what a person's background,
gender, position or place in the kingdom, no one was to enter before
the king unannounced or uninvited.
The
verse continues, “...except such to whom the king shall hold out
the golden scepter,” There was one exception to this rule. If
the king saw a person enter into his inner court and was willing to
receive them, he could hold out his golden scepter and they would not
be killed. Let's remember, everyone in the kingdom knew this, but we
may wonder, who was willing to take the risk? The idea of the king
holding out his golden scepter of acceptance would probably keep most
people from ever entering his court uninvited, and that is more than
likely just the way the king desired that it be.
Finally
we read, “but I have not been called to come in unto the king
these thirty days.” Now we understand personally why Esther was
so concerned about this rule. She had not been invited by the king to
the inner court for thirty days. Her concern over the intimidating
law was that if she were to obey Mordecai and try to see the king, he
might not raise his golden scepter to her and she would be killed. In
other words, for Esther to do as Mordecai desired, she would risk her
life.
As we
consider these words today, let us remember they were the message
that Hatach was to take back to Mordecai. Can we imagine how Hatach
would react to these words? He was only the messenger, but it was
more than likely not the most fun in the world to have to carry these
words to Mordecai. Also, what would it be like to have a purpose so
great that we would have to risk our lives to manage it? Do we treat
the gospel of Jesus Christ in such a manner? Would we be willing to
risk our lives to share the message that is so important that people
will be saved by it? May we evermore be willing to risk everything
known here on Earth for the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ that
will lead people to Heaven.
Next
time we will see another small but significant verse, 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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