Esther 4:5 - Meaning and Application

The Persian laws kept wives, especially the king’s wives, under very strict limits. Because of that, Mordecai could not simply meet Esther and speak with her about this serious matter. Instead, messages passed between them through Hatach, the king’s attendant, who seems to have been someone Esther trusted.

Esther first sent word to Mordecai, asking what trouble had made him grieve so deeply and why he was still wearing sackcloth. It is fitting for all who love Zion, God’s people, to ask about the cause of others’ grief and joy, so we can pray and respond wisely. If we are to weep with those who weep, we need to know why they are weeping.

Mordecai then sent her a full account of what had happened, along with a charge to plead with the king. He told her everything that had happened to him, including Haman’s anger because he would not bow to him, and how Haman had worked to secure this decree. He also sent her an exact copy of the edict, so she could see the danger hanging over her and her people. He urged her, if she had any love for him or for the Jewish people, to appear on their behalf and correct the false reports that had misled the king.

Esther sent back her own case to Mordecai. She said she could not safely go to the king, and that he was putting a heavy burden on her by urging it. She would gladly help the Jews, but if doing so meant risking death, she had reason to ask to be excused and to look for someone else to speak for them.

The law was clear, and everyone knew it: anyone who came to the king without being called was to be put to death, unless the king held out the golden scepter. It was far from certain that Esther would find him in a gracious mood (Esther 4:11). This law was made less out of real wisdom and safety than out of pride, so the king could be seen rarely and only with great difficulty, as if he were a little god. It was a foolish law.

It made the kings themselves unhappy, because it kept them shut away in fear of being seen. The royal palace became little better than a prison, and the kings themselves likely grew sour, even gloomy, becoming a burden to themselves and a dread to others. Many people make their own lives miserable through pride and harsh temper.

It was bad for the people too. What use is a king if no one may freely come to him for help with wrongs or appeal to him above lower judges? It is very different with the King of kings. We may come boldly at any time to the footstool of his throne of grace, and we can be sure of a peaceful answer to the prayer of faith. We are welcome not only into the inner court, but even into the holy place, through the blood of Jesus.

The law was especially hard on the wives, since it made no exception for them, even though they were bone of the king’s bone and flesh of his flesh. Perhaps it was even meant against them, so the kings could more freely enjoy their concubines, and Esther knew that. A kingdom is miserable when rulers make laws to serve their lusts.

Her present situation was also discouraging. Providence had arranged matters so that, just then, she was out of favor, and the king’s affection had cooled toward her. She had not been called into his presence for thirty days, which would test her faith and courage. At the same time, God’s kindness would shine more clearly when she found favor with the king despite this setback. It is likely that Haman used women, as well as wine, to keep the king from thinking clearly about what he had done, and that Esther was neglected because Haman wanted to turn the king against her, knowing she opposed him.

Mordecai still pressed her to go to the king, whatever danger she might face (Esther 4:13, Esther 4:14). No excuse would do. She had to act as an advocate in this cause. He reminded her, first, that this was her own cause too, since the decree to destroy all the Jews did not leave her out. She should not think the palace would protect her or the crown would save her head. She was a Jewess, and if the others were destroyed, she would be destroyed too. It was surely wiser to face a possible death from her husband than a certain death from her enemy.

He also told her this was a cause that would succeed one way or another, so she could act with confidence. If she refused, deliverance for the Jews would still come from somewhere else. This was the speech of strong faith, faith that did not waver when danger was greatest, but believed against hope. Human helpers may fail, but God’s covenant will not fail.

Mordecai warned her that if she abandoned her people out of fear and unbelief, she might see judgment fall on her and her father’s house. She and her family could be destroyed while the other Jewish families were preserved. Anyone who tries by sinful means to save his life, and will not trust God with it while obeying him, will lose it through sin.

He also said that God’s providence had a purpose in bringing her to the throne: “Who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Because of that, she was under obligation to serve God and his church, or she would fail to answer the reason for her rise. And she need not fear failure. If God had appointed her for this work, he would support her and give her success.

In the outcome, it was clear that she had indeed become queen so she could help deliver the Jews, so Mordecai’s guess was right. Because the Lord loved his people, he made Esther queen. God’s wise plan is at work in all his providences, though we often do not see it until it is completed. In the end, it will prove that all of them were meant for the good of the church.

That alone was reason enough for her to act at once and do her utmost for her people. We should all think about why God has placed us where we are, and we should try to fulfill that purpose. When a chance comes to serve God and our generation, we must not let it pass, because we were entrusted with it in order to use it well. Mordecai urged these things to Esther.

Esther showed both faith and courage here. She decided that, whatever it cost her, she would go to the king, but only after she and her people had first turned to God. They were to fast and pray for God’s favor, and then she would hope to find favor with the king (Esther 4:15-16).

She spoke with the devotion that fit an Israelite. She looked to God, who holds kings’ hearts in his hand, and depended on him to turn the king toward her. She was putting her life at risk, but she would feel safe only after she had committed herself to God’s care. She believed that God’s favor is gained by prayer, and that his people should come to him that way, because he hears prayer.

She also knew that in hard times, God’s people often joined fasting with prayer. So she asked Mordecai to tell the Jews in Shushan, the Persian capital, to set apart a fast and call a solemn gathering. They were to meet in their local synagogues, pray for her, and fast for three days, giving up regular meals and pleasant food as a sign of sorrow for sin and of their need for mercy. People who truly value God’s gifts should not grudge this kind of self-denial in seeking them.

She also promised that she and her household would keep the fast in her rooms in the palace, since she could not join the public assembly. Her maids were either Jews or had become Jewish enough to join her in fasting and prayer. This gives a good example of a mistress praying with her maids, and it is worth copying. Even people who are shut away in private can join their prayers with God’s gathered people. Those who ask others to pray for them should still pray for themselves.

Her words also show the courage that fit a queen. After they had sought God in this matter, she would go to the king and plead for her people. She knew this was against the king’s law, but it agreed with God’s law. So, whatever happened, she would risk her life and not hold it dear if she could serve God and his people. If she died, she would die doing her duty. Better to obey and die for her people than to shrink back and die with them.

Her reasoning was like that of the lepers in 2 Kings 7:4. If she stayed still, she would die. If she went forward, she might live and even save her people. At worst, she would only die. That is the spirit of faith: to do one’s duty and leave the outcome with God, gladly accepting his holy will. The apocryphal sections of this book, in chapters 13 and 14, include Mordecai’s prayer and Esther’s prayer on this occasion, and both fit the situation very well. In the rest of the story, we see that God did not let the seed of Jacob seek him in vain.