Esther 4:11-17

Context

Esther is a Jewish girl who (through unique circumstances) has become queen of Persia. Her king is Xerses/Ahasuerus. Her Jewish nationality remains a secret...

She’s a Jewish queen in the Persian empire at a time when the Jewish people are exiles in Persia.

Ahasuerus’ second in command (Haman) develops a hatred for the Jewish people and manipulates the King into signing a decree that would allow Haman to annihilate the Jews on a certain day later in the year. (Starwars “order 66)

One of Esther’s relatives (Mordecai) becomes aware of the plan to eradicate the Jews and sends word to Esther for help. He wants her to beg the King to change the decree.

Passage

Esther 4:11 ESV

“All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that if any man or woman goes to the king inside the inner court without being called, there is but one law—to be put to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter so that he may live. But as for me, I have not been called to come in to the king these thirty days.”

What risk would Esther be taking if she does what Mordecai ask?

Revealing her Jewish heritage.

Being put to death.

Esther 4:12–17 ESV

And they told Mordecai what Esther had said. Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not think to yourself that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but 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?” Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.” Mordecai then went away and did everything as Esther had ordered him.

The famous quote from this passage is verse 14 “such a time as this.”

The phrase that convicts me here though is found verse 16… “if I perish, I perish.”

We dont see this unrealistic bravado in Esther, we see the struggle of a real person. She’s terrified! (Rightly so)

One the one Hand she trust God and loves her people, on the other hand she doesnt wants to be beheaded or hung on a pole to die.

Her problem isn't knowing what God has called her to do, it’s knowing what will happen if she follows.

Christ doesn’t give us any earthly guarantees if we chooses to trust and obey Him.

John 16:33 ESV

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

The only guarantee that Jesus gives His people is that He will be with them And that is enough.

If we read the book of Esther like a story book or just a historical document then we can look at this and say “wow that’s intense” and move on with our lives.

But if we read this book like God’s word to His people revealing His Character, then it’s both terrifying and comforting.

Esther obeyed her Lord and everything turned out ok.

Sometimes God works that way and sometimes the believer loses everything, even their life.

Either way, you never read about someone who risked it all on the path of obedience and regretted it.

The only regrets you see in the Bible are those who chose to chase the world. Read Ecclesiastes.

Solomon was a believer who chose to chase all the world has to offer and came to the end of his life to realize it was all worthless.

If your a Christ follower then the question the book of Esther begs of you is:

Is He worth it to you?

Is walking in intimacy with your creator better than all else to you?

The testimony of the faithful in the Bible is a resounding yes!

Gospel

If you’re not a Christ follower in this room I don’t want you to get a distorted understanding of the Gospel today.

This Esther/like obedience isn’t the basis of acceptance with God, it’s the fruit of salvation.

Sin seperates every person from a Holy God.

We all are guilty and deserving of His punishment.

All of your striving and best attempts at obedience can’t earn God’s acceptance or forgiveness. His standard is absolute perfection.

That’s where the beauty of Jesus comes into play.

The Son of God took on Humanity to live a life of perfect obedience to God and then pay the price for our sin on a cross.

The call of the Gospel is to Repent And Believe!

Mark 1:15 ESV

and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

Turn from the rebellion of sin and self and put your hope in what Christ has done on your behalf.

It’s not repent and do your best but repent and believe!

Life risking obedience is the Fruit/result of salvation, repentance, faith not the cause of it.

He and He alone is our hope of Salvation!

Pray.