Esther 4:8
The account of Esther: The tragedy of being orphaned in her youth, the enslavement within a foreign king's harem, her bravery, cunning, her ability to acquire the respect and trust of those attending her, and her faithfulness to the people, who, like her, were captives-in-exile in a strange land... Her life-story is truly amazing. Over the next three weeks, I will only be able to share with you a portion of her story - and the story of those Jews who lived with her under Xerxes, the king over the empire of Persia and Media.
Many Jews were there. They were brought there because of the exile under Nebuchadnezzar. We can't go that far back in history though, we can't even go very far back in the book of Esther, except to summarize, the cliff-notes version, but I encourage you to invest in yourself, and read the book of Esther on your own.
Rather than telling you the whole story, let me just get you caught up with the relevant content for our purpose today.
Many of the Jewish people were in exile. So they weren't in the Promised Land that was conquered under Joshua, they were in a strange land, along with many other peoples from various cultures that were also conquered by the very powerful empire of the Medes and Persians.
The king of this vast empire, Xerxes, banished his wife, the queen, forever from his presence. This left a job opening for a queen. A search throughout the land brought the most beautiful young ladies to the kings palace - from these he would select a new queen. This process is what brought Esther to the king's palace, for she was quite beautiful. Of all the ladies there gathered, Esther became the king's favorite, and she was chosen to become his new queen.
Esther's cousin, who was old enough to be her father - who actually adopted her and raised her - was also a frequent visitor to the palace. His name was Mordecai. He was not really known by the king, but he was known by the king's right-hand-man, a vile fellow named Haman. Haman loved attention, and he loved his position of power. Everyone in the entire kingdom was to bow down before him because the king commanded it. But Mordecai didn't like that idea, so Mordecai refused to bow.
This blatant show of disrespect enraged the vile Haman. But being unsatisfied with the notion of killing only Mordecai, Haman devised a plot to destroy all the Jews within the kingdom. And Haman's plan became law.
Let me tell you about the laws of the Medes and Persians. Once a law was on the books, it could never be repealed. Not even by the king.
So all the Jewish people within the kingdom were doomed. Destined for death by the devious dealings of the dreaded Haman. By the authority of the king, Haman had issued a decree that was announced throughout the empire that on a given day, of a given month, all the Jews were to be killed, men, women, children - and all their possessions could be pillaged. Law enforcement wouldn't prevent it, there would be no prosecution for carrying it out, and the Jews did have their enemies because they were a "peculiar" people.
They may have been in exile, being punished by God because of their rebellion, but they were still a blessed people. They were still God's people. Even under the thumb of Pharoah in Egypt - as slaves- they prospered. At the end of chapter 3 we see that the city of Susa (where the king's palace was located), the people were bewildered by the new law.
The Jewish people were not slaves at the time, per se, they were displaced, as was often the practice in that era, to remove the conquered people from their home land and place them somewhere else. Here in the empire of the Medes and Persians, they built homes, conducted business, became a part of the diverse society. Many, I'm sure, were well respected and successful. I believe Mordecai was one of those. To give you an indication of that respect we can look at chapter 6 verse 13: "His (Haman's) advisor's and his wife said to him, 'Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has started, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him - you will surely come to ruin.'"
This tells me that the Jewish people, if they weren't liked, they were at least recognized as a people that were blessed by some outside force, or possessed something special about them. This would also give a number of people reason to despise them. Jealousy and envy are not recent inventions.
When news of this bewildering decree spread throughout the land, all the Jewish people mourned, wept, clothed themselves with humility, applied ashes to their bodies, and loudly cried out, wailing in public. This was not solely the practice of the Jewish people in that day, but others that lived among them as well. The entire society would have recognized their actions to indicate bitter sorrow and desperation. If we saw someone dressed like that, and behaving like that, we would think they were both homeless and insane. That culture would not hesitate to believe that these were normal people, business owners, teachers, clergy, doctors, respectable people who have fallen on desperate times. Dispersed throughout the land, were Jewish people and no doubt their friends and neighbors joined them in mourning because of this puzzling new decree. A law that could not be changed or vetoed.
As with the case of any law, there were those who saw gain for themselves, and perhaps the elimination of some competition, so it was also celebrated.
Mordecai was able to communicate to Esther the new decree. Although she was the queen, she was not a counselor or an advisor to the king, she would know little about what was transpiring in the kingdom, she was "in her own little world" in the palace. The king wasn't so different. No mourners were allowed within the king's gate, so any distress the people may have experienced was kept far from the presence of the king. It would be a shame to ruin his day with the petty problems of the poor peasants pouting about their pending persecution.
I suppose now would be a good time to read our main text, Verse 8. "He (Mordecai), also gave him (one of Esther's attendants) a copy of the text of the edict for their annihilation, which had been published in Susa, to show to Esther and explain it to her, and he told him to urge her to go into the king's presence to beg for mercy and plead with him for her people."
Esther saw a few minor problems with Mordecai's plan, but she agrees to it with certain conditions. That's when she speaks the words that are probably the second-most famous in this book, "I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish."
Mordecai's words are probably the most famous, also found in this chapter, "Who knows but that you have come to this royal position for such a time as this?"
Neither phrase is particularly pertinent to what we will only take a few minutes to examine today. And that is two things: First, that Esther was a person that could sympathize with those who became doomed because of the law. And secondly, that Esther was the only one in a position that gave her access (although very risky) and favor with the only one who could authorize some kind of remedy to their perilous predicament.
Haman was second in command, and Haman was dead-set on killing the Jews. The only one more powerful than Haman was the king himself. Even the king could not change the law that was issued. So Mordecai, Esther, and all the Jewish community faced what appeared to be an unsurmountable task... to live.
Esther could, and did, sympathize with those who were powerless to change their destiny. But she also just may hold an ability to influence the powerful. It would require a miracle.
How was Esther able to sympathize, or relate to, the powerless?
- She was one of them. She grew up among them. I know little about the living conditions of the Jewish people under the reign of Xerxes. But she lived among them. She knew their joys and their hardships. She understood their plight as aliens in a strange land. Now she was the queen, and the average Jew had no clue to her daily life, they may not be capable of relating to her - in her new capacity, but she knew them.
- Not only was she one of them, she also loved them. She loved her cousin Mordecai. She proved her concern through trying to clothe him when she saw him in mourning. When that didn't work, she sent a servant to inquire as to what was troubling him. She was not able to leave the king's palace, but she ordered an attendant to see to his welfare. Esther loved her people. She had absolutely no interest in sitting by, in idle fashion, as her people perished.
- She was a Jew. She was one of them. She loved them, and as long as it was a possibility that she could be an instrument of their rescue, she would do it. She was also committed to their welfare above her own. She would not have been slaughtered as a result of this law, the king's secret service guarded her day and night. But she would be risking her life in order to intercede for her people. It is apparent, as the account unfolds, that she placed the welfare of her people above her own welfare.
Esther, crowned with majesty, tended to and waited on by numerous servants, living in the most elegant and secure location in the kingdom, forsook the glamour, the pampering, the security, the comfort of her rank and position, because she could sympathize with the powerless. She understood their need, she loved them, and she was committed to their well-being over her own.
But that alone was not enough to rescue the Jewish people. Why would Mordecai call upon her during this crisis? Because she was the sole party that had influence with the powerful.
- Mordecai may have been prominent in Susa, but he was ordered to bow before Haman. Though he did not bow, it reveals the pecking order. The queen bowed to no one save the king. She was the only one who had a chance. The king knew Esther. All the other Jewish people were kept at bay, they could not possibly approach the king. But Esther had been with the king. Who else had that claim?
- In addition to that, the king loved Esther. The king favored Esther among all the myriad of ladies paraded before him. The king was pleased with Esther. The king may have been dreadful, his frown was a death sentence, enough to send chills through the bones of even the strongest, but his smile brought instant peace and security. If anyone could bring a smile, it would be Esther.
It is not required that I finish the story of Esther today. But let me bring this account to some conclusion. Esther did approach the king. She associated herself with her people. The king responded and a new covenant (a new law) was put into place. The original law was not revoked, it would remain, but a new law was established. This new law stated that the Jewish people were authorized to assemble and defend themselves. The law enforcement of the day could not stop them from taking action to protect life and property. They could stand. They could act. They could save themselves and deal a death blow to their enemy.
I love the story of Esther. But let me tell you, this is not only something that happened in the past, for you are also in this story. You don't have to imagine it, it is as real as real gets.
For there is a King. And because of a vile being who plotted against you, you are more doomed than the Jews in this story. Not you alone, but me, and all of humanity. There is a law that exists, and though it is a good law, we are condemned because of it's existence. For all have broken it. This law can not be revoked. It would be easier for heaven and earth to pass away than a single crossing of a "t" or the dotting of an "i" to be removed.
I have no hope of approaching this King. He is Holy and I was banished from His presence. But there remains One who is able to plead for me. This One I speak of can sympathize with the powerless.
- He has flesh and blood. He knows my plight, my weakness, my frailty. He understands what it is to be heartbroken, to be tempted and tried. He knows what it is to suffer and to face death. He has walked among us, as One of us.
- He also loves us. For though we cannot completely grasp His rank and position, He understands ours. And He loves us. From His own mouth we know that He has no interest in sitting idly by and watching our destruction. As Esther took action, so Has this One.
- He was, in fact, committed to our welfare above His own. He left the glory and comfort of Heaven, with all the security and comforts of paradise, to place Himself in mortal danger, and die on a cross that we might live.
But His love, His ability to understand us in our frailty, and His commitment to us just isn't enough. But friends, He also has influence with the Father in heaven.
- He knows the Father - the Great Law-Giver. The Highest of the high. He was with the Father, known by the Father from the beginning. And the Father loves the Son. The Father is pleased with the Son. The Father said, "This is my Son, in Whom I am well pleased." Do you understand, I have someone who can plead for me! And plead He did.
- As Esther associated herself with her people, Christ took on flesh and associated Himself with me. The Father put a new covenant in place. Though the old one remains, this new one declared that action could now be taken. I could take action to stand against my accusers. I could take action to defend myself and my family. I could not only defend myself, but I can utterly destroy the enemy that has plotted against me.
Jesus Christ walked among us. Jesus Christ knows where you are. He knows your struggles and trials. He loves you. He was not satisfied being idle as the Righteous Law condemned you to destruction. He committed Himself to your welfare and giving His life, He can offer you yours.
He will plead for you. There is a new law on the books, and you can take action to defend yourself. Your weapon is not made of steel, it is the blood of Christ that renders the Law powerless against you.
Jesus is the friend of sinners. He is the only One able to plead for you. The question is, when will you take action. When will you take a stand? When will you respond to His gift and His offer: for His death to be counted as yours, and His life to be granted to you?
The day came for the Jewish people to stand against their foes. The day came when the preparations had to be complete and all their ducks had to be in a row, for the enemy was coming and Judgement Day was inevitable.
Jesus Christ associated Himself with you. Will you associate yourself with Him?
A new covenant has been established, are you satisfied with just the old? The one that can not save you, but only condemns you? It is not going away.
The Father is pleased with the Son. The Son is at His right hand. Will you let this Jesus Christ, who lives, plead for you? Will you stand up and take action as this New Covenant allows you to? Will you see victory over your accuser? The vile being that has reign over your life? It's time to choose the One who loves you.
Plead for me, Jesus. You understand my frailty.
Plead for me, Jesus. You love me more than anyone else.
Plead for me, Jesus. You committed yourself to my welfare, and offered me life.
Plead for me, Jesus. I can not approach the Holy, but You are with Him.
Plead for me, Jesus. The Father knows You, hears You, favors You.
Plead for me, Jesus. May this New Covenant apply to me. Let the Old remain, but cleanse me pure, wash my sin, grant me your presence and power over my accuser.
Plead for me, Jesus. Teach me to stand. Call me to action.
Plead for me, Jesus. I'm done with the pagan kingdoms of man, I'm tired of the form and the appearance of godliness, I want something real.
You, Who speak substance into existence where there once was nothing...You, Who speak life where there once was only death... Speak over me. Plead for me.
