Title Mordecai/Esther 4
Content 4. Mordecai (Chapter 4)
The old Jew sitting at the king's gate now appears at the front of the stage. He was the vessel God had prepared to save the nation. Immediately Mordecai began the official tune, even at the King's Gate! Although he had advised Esther to hide her nationality, he was not ashamed of his people or of his God. He sat in front of the city gate and wept, “weeping loudly,” and his spirit spread like an epidemic.
Esther sent him new clothes and offered to stop. But he sent words explaining his actions. Esther in the palace seemed to have no knowledge of all the policies and politics that were going on, and had not seen the king in a month (v. 11). Mordecai copied the decree and sent it to her, and she must have realized how desperate the real situation was. We see two kinds of saints here. On the one hand, those who rejoice not knowing what is happening, on the other hand, those who rejoice not knowing what is happening, and on the other hand, those who mourn because they know the signs of the times.
In verse 11, is she making excuses, or is she simply explaining the situation? She had to realize that she was the only one who could save the Jews. Keep in mind that Esther would have known nothing of Haman's true character. Haman was the king's favourite, and Esther had no reason to doubt his faithfulness. Mordecai reminded her that she would not escape death even if she was in the palace. “If you remain silent and do not speak, God will save you by other means!” Mordecai knew that God would never destroy the nation because of the covenant he had made with Abraham.
We commend Esther's sensible and spiritual response. She asked for prayer. She knew that going to the king's presence could mean death. But she offered herself as a “living sacrifice” to do the will of God. “If I die, I will die.” These were not the desperate cry of a martyr. It testifies of the believer's will to give everything for her God (Daniel 3:13-18). Esther was now forced to reveal her people. You can't hide the light under a horse for long! Esther in the Old Testament and Joseph of Arimathea in the New Testament (John 19:38-42) were believers who were placed in special circumstances and “hidden” to accomplish a special task (literal meaning of the word “secretly” in John 19:38). It means “secretly.” God hid the body of Jesus for the special purpose of burying him).
We are compelled to apply these chapters to contemporary spiritual affairs. Satan is the destroyer, and millions of people are going to hell because someone doesn't redeem them. Some Christians eat and drink like kings, enjoy life, and don't care about danger. Others, like Mordecai, are deeply interested in saving a cursed people. And there are those who, like Esther, intercede by sacrificing themselves for the lost. What kind of person are you?