For Such a time as this

Esther 4:12-14

12 When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, 13 he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?”

The book of Esther is an account of the events that led to the inauguration of the Jewish festival of Purim. The book begins at a banquet held by the Persian king Xerxes for all the inhabitants of his capital, Susa. After a drinking bout, the king summons his queen, Vashti, to appear before the court so that they may admire her great beauty. Vashti refuses, and the king, angry, banishes her because of the pressure of the noble men of the kingdom who were afraid that other women might follow her example. She could have been the inspiration for a women’s liberation movement.

After a time, the king regrets losing his queen and his nobles suggest that he hold an empire-wide search for a new queen. I guess that with so many realities shows doing something along those lines this now seem normal. Xerxes agrees, and all the eligible virgins in the kingdom are gathered into his harem. At this point the narrative introduces the heroine, Esther, and her guardian, Mordecai. Esther is the winner and becomes the new queen.

Some time later, the king promotes Haman to the highest position among the nobles of the kingdom. Haman demands that all the people bow down to him, to show the respect due to him and his new position. Mordecai, however, refuses. Angered, Haman plots revenge on Mordecai by slaughtering all the Jews in the Persian Empire. Mordecai learns of the plot, and turns to Esther to intercede with the king.

For the first time in the story, Esther speaks directly responding to Mordecai. “All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that he be put to death. The only exception to this is for the king to extend the gold scepter to him and spare his life. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king.” In other words Esther would have to risk her life to speak to the king. She has not been called in thirty days, signifying that the king may have gotten tired of her and her influence may not be as great as Mordecai thinks.

When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “Go; gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”

“No one dies the day before!” It is one of those proverbs that I grew up hearing all around me. It is the idea that everything has its time, just like the book of Ecclesiastes teaches: “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:” The bible differentiates between Cronos, common time, and Kairos, the right time. But how do you know that it is the right time? If things are easy and things appear to be falling into place do you assume that it is the right time? If things are getting difficult and it appears to be a continual struggle do you assume that it is not the right time? You do not know. Mordecai is not certain that Esther have become queen at the right time in order to save the Jewish people. Maybe she did maybe she did not. He is only sure that salvation will come, he just does not know how.

Our church appears to be in one of those defining moments. Your previous pastor retired, the assistant pastor that have been here for several years has been transferred. Our beloved director of our music ministry is unable to be with us for an unknown amount of time. What does all of this mean? Is this a kairos time for us? Is this the right time to act with holy boldness?

There is an expectation of change, even a hope that things will be different.