I just preached on this passage a couple of weeks ago. It was basically about how you can’t lead without being willing to lay down your life for those who you lead…
1. Mordecai didn’t care who knew. He was mourning in public. Isn’t it sad how often we hide what’s going on inside us? I love how raw Mordecai is here. And he did go up to the gate of the king. That’s still pretty bold.
2. I can’t even imagine how the Jewish people would have felt to have a death edict on them. I mean, think about it, all that we just read about the Temple being rebuilt, the wall being rebuilt, and the people turning their hearts to God–none of that would have happened if the Jews were destroyed at this time. Remember, this all took place between 2 Kings and Ezra.
3. Interesting that Esther wanted to give Mordecai clothes to cover his sackcloth. Hmm… At this point, is Esther’s priority seeing things from God’s perspective or not getting “caught” by Xerxes or Haman?
4. So…Esther sends Hathach to figure out why Mordecai is doing what he is doing.
5. Mordecai wanted Esther to use her influence to talk to Xerxes. Only problem was that this was not a safe thing to do. Xerxes considered himself a god…you can’t just apprach him whenever you feel like it. Besides, they hadn’t “been” with each other in a month. The bottom line is that their marriage wasn’t exactly strong…
6. Now, we always look at Esther as this super-awesome servant of God; but let’s not ignore her fear…and let’s not ignore the fact that Mordecai had to actually “threaten” her with the truth. The truth was that she could either help or not help…but if she didn’t help, she’d die somehow and God would bring a deliverer from some other place. Mordecai had faith in God to not let his people die, but he didn’t want Esther to rest on that vague hope and do nothing because that would have been sin.
7. “For such a time as this.” Great words of the Bible. You know, God orchestrates all sorts of events to occur and collide at different moments. That’s part of Him being sovereign. I am where I am “for such a time as this.” You are where you are “for such a time as this.” Do you believe that?
8. Esther then got serious. It was time for everyone to hit their knees. And, if she died, she died. Notice that she’s not certain that she’s going to get out of this…and she goes anyway…that’s faith.
So…what do you think about Mordecai’s role in this?
What do you think about Esther’s hesitency?
What do you think about her final decision?
