Title: Fast For Me
Content Subject: Fast for me
Bible: Est 4:15-17
We've been fasting and praying for the past week. We prayed for Happy Day on May 15th. We all fasted to occupy the spiritual highlands. This text is the content of events that occurred during the darkest period in the history of the people of Israel. But in the book of Esther we find the ultimate victory of God's people. In the text, Queen Esther said, "Gather together all the Jews who are in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days night or day" (4:16).
What is the reason for requesting such a fasting prayer?
The first was to cross the slash line.
(1) Text 4:16 says, “I will go to the king against the ordinance, and if I perish, I will perish.” "Rule" is the Hebrew word "tat", meaning an edict or decree. The decree was, "If any man or woman enters the inner court without being called and goes to the king, it is only to be put to death." Even Queen Esther could not violate the stern decree.
(2) The fate of the Jewish people, who are now our people, was like a windmill. On December 13th, men and women of all ages are doomed to be killed, slaughtered, annihilated, and all their property stolen. (Esther 3:13) Therefore, Queen Esther will jump over the dead line to change this tragic fate. I made a decision.
Second, it was to meet a king who could solve all problems.
(1) Text 4:16 says, “After this fast, I will break the ordinance and go to the king. Queen Esther broke the rules and tried to cross the line to meet King Ahasuerus. He was the one who had the great power to solve the problems of all the people. He was the only person who could decide the life and death of the Jewish people like a windmill.
(2) In Esther 3:8-9, Haman's three evil schemes are found. First, Haman was only referred to as “the Han people.” Second, it was said that the laws of that nation were different from those of all the peoples, so they did not follow the laws of Mede Pasa. Third, he offered ten thousand talents of silver as a bribe in condition of the complete annihilation of the Jews.
(3) Therefore, Queen Esther wanted to meet the king. This was to meet the king and face the harsh reality to drive out the scoundrels, set the country's fortune and save the nation. Third, it was to defeat the enemy.
(1) The reason that Queen Esther crossed the four line and wanted to meet King Ahusuerus was to reveal the identity of Haman, the enemy of the Jews, to the world and defeat him. Haman was the son of Hammedadah the Aramaean, from the royal family of Amalek. This Amalek is a descendant of Esau, who sold his birthright for a bowl of lentil soup. In particular, Amalek was the son of Eliphaz the son of Esau through his concubine Timnah (Gen 36:12). It means the people who do, they were enemies of God.
(2) But now, this Haman, as the second son of Mede Pasa, had the right to escape the life and death of the Jews in one hand. He was a cruel, arrogant, and evil adversary. In particular, the name “Haman” is the name of “Elam,” and King Ahasuerus made everyone bow down before Haman (Esther 3:1), but Mordecai and the Jews were never able to kneel before Haman. Because of this, all the Jews were finally slaughtered and put to death at the same time. Now, Queen Esther wanted to pray to overcome this adversary.(3) Then, how was this prayer of fasting answered? First, Haman became Mordecai's driver. (6:5-12) Second, Haman's identity was revealed (7:3-6). Third, Haman ran high on the pole prepared to kill Mordecai. (7: 9) Fourth, Haman's sons and 75,800 followers were killed. (9:10-16) The Israelites achieved a great victory, and Mordecai became Prime Minister. For Happy Day, let's all embrace the prospective believers, read the Word, and join in fasting and prayer. Amen.