Title: Fast For Me/Est 4:15-17
Contents
The world is a battlefield. It is a battlefield where only the strong and the victors remain. Heaven is not a hideout for losers, but a land of glory where only the victors enter. Our saints are overcomers and victors. 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 was the reason for requesting such a fasting prayer?
1. It 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 their people, was like a windmill. On December 13th, men and women of all ages are doomed to be killed, slaughtered, exterminated, and their property stolen. I made a decision. And first, he not only fasted and prayed on his own, but he earnestly requested that all the Jews living in Susa would fast and pray together. This is because he realized that extraordinary prayer, fasting and praying, is the only hope and way to safely overcome all barriers and deadlines.
(3) We also have barriers that we cannot overcome by ourselves. We are by no means omnipotent. There are limits to health, wealth, ability, and wisdom. There is a deadline that can never be crossed. However, our God has opened up an extraordinary way for us to leap over all these barriers, limitations, and slashes to a new level. It is fasting and praying. Therefore, even if we are in the swamp of absolute despair, we should not lose heart and fast and pray.
2. It was to meet a king who could solve all problems.
(1) Text 4:16 says, "After fasting like this, I will break the ordinance and go to the king... If I die, I will die." 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. However, King Ahasuerus was deceived by Haman, the enemy of the Jews, and made a huge mistake.
(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. King Ahasuerus did not know the truth right away, and was blinded by the rumors and bribes of the bribery, so God's people gave their lives and property into Haman's hands. It was a big mistake, a careless act, and foolishness that did not discriminate. Not only that, it was an ignorant act that would result in judgment before God.
(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. For this work, he was willing to give up his life, fasting, breaking the rules, and going before the king. That's right. Almighty God is the gateway to solving all the problems we face! Wise God! Healing God! We should know that the only way to know the truth of our lives is to meet the God who clearly knows everything, judges and handles everything unequally.
3. 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 stew. In particular, Amalek was the son of Eliphaz the son of Esau through his concubine Timnah (Gen 36:12). It means "A people that takes away all". Therefore, Amalek was a type of Satan and an enemy of God.
(2) But now, this Haman was the second son of Mede Pasa, and he 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 all the people boil before Haman and bow down. (Esther 3:1) But Mordecai did not kneel before Haman. The Jews could never kneel before Haman. As a result, the entire Jew would be slaughtered and killed at the same time one day. Now, Queen Esther wanted to fast and pray to overcome this adversary.
(3) Then, how was this fasting prayer 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 eldest son and 75,800 followers were killed. (9:10-16) The Israelites achieved a great victory, Mordecai became the prime minister, and many became Jews. Hallelujah!