And in every province…there was great mourning among the Jews…in sackcloth and ashes.
Esther 4
As queen, Esther is not privy to the events that are a matter of governing the kingdom. Only by the king allowing his queen into his presence does any business of the kingdom become her knowledge. And, Esther had not been called by the king in several weeks. Now, Mordecai learns of the decree that has been sent from the king, at Haman’s doing, and Mordecai goes into mourning for his people, sitting in sackcloth upon ashes and wailing loudly for the Jews. As the decree was read throughout each province, Jews began to mourn in the same manner as Mordecai. Esther, not aware of what was happening yet, is told of Mordecai’s mourning. Esther mistakenly sends clothing to Mordecai; then, she sends her eunuch to Mordecai to find out why Mordecai was in mourning. Esther’s first reaction to why Mordecai was in mourning was, essentially, that her hands were tied because the king had not call her into his presence. Mordecai’s response was, “Do not think to yourself that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews…you and your father’s house will perish. And, who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther understands what she must do and sends instructions to Mordecai of what he must do. As the Jews fast for 3 days, in Susa, the capital, Esther is planning her strategy to enter into the king’s presence, whether or not she survives her effort. By now, in reading this Biblical account, an astute student would have noticed that, so far, the name of God has not been recorded and, in fact, God’s name is not recorded in the entire book of Esther. God, in Esther, works invisibly, through His people and through the evil ones, who hate the Jews, to accomplish His will at this time, to protect His people from extinction. Satan does not know the future. He is NOT omniscient! Only God can direct the affairs of humans to accomplish His Will! And, He knew this would occur before He ever created the first molecule of this universe! Paul writes in Romans, “If God be for us, who can be against us?” Christian, how much more can you serve our Lord Jesus knowing that He is for you all the way?!
Source: S C Ball September 13, 2023
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