We would like to tell you of another queen of many years ago whose courage and commitment, at great risk to herself, saved her people from destruction. It was a marvellous achievement brought about in an amazing way that can give direction and certainty to our life. The queen we want to recommend as an example to us, had such an impact on the life of her people, that a number of our readers are likely to know who she was. She is introduced to us in the Bible in the book of her name, when she was an orphan in a foreign country, in this way:-
5 Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite; 6 Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Esther 2
Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away. And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.
The forces of Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, and his ruthless and powerful army had previously conquered the cities of Benjamin and Judah, broken down the walls of Jerusalem, the capital city, and captured and carried off many thousands of Jews scattering them to many parts of the Empire. Included at this time was a young man Mordecai with others in his family. King Ahasuerus, a powerful king at the head of the Persian Empire had conquered the Babylonians some 40 years later, and now ruled over them; Mordecai had settled with his family in Shushan (also called Susa, and later Shush), the capital city of the Persian Empire (now Iran). Clearly, whilst there, Esther had been born. Sadly, her father Abihail and his wife, had died sometime after, at which time Mordecai took on the upbringing of Esther.
He cared for her like his own daughter and when she is introduced to us, she was growing into an attractive young lady.
Persia had laws that made the King’s edicts final. Vashti, the Queen had disobeyed the King, and was totally banished; thus, the king needed a replacement Queen. So the King’s servants came to him, and said :-
3 And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, unto the custody of Hege the king’s chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given them: 4 And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so. Esther 2
Even if you don’t know you can probably guess what happened next!
8 So it came to pass, when the king’s commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king’s house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.
Hegai recognised that Esther was not only beautiful, but her demeanour and character was far superior to any of the other young women and took particular care of Esther. An aspect of Mordecai’s guidance of Esther is very significant as was his concern for her.
10 Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it. 11 And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women’s house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her. Esther 2
Again, in the circumstances, it’s not difficult to anticipate what happened. The preparation of these young women to meet the King was very involved and long but, eventually the day came when Esther was presented to him.
17 And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.
Meanwhile, Mordecai daily positioned himself at the King’s Gate, from where he was able to keep contact with his niece; while here, he learned of a plot against King Ahasuerus by two of His Chamberlains; this was to prove to be an important development in future events.
21 In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king’s gate, two of the king’s chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus. 22 And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai’s name. 23 And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out; therefore they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king. Esther 2
Not seemingly connected, but this was to form a turning point in the fortunes of both Mordecai and Queen Esther.
A little later the king promoted one of his Princes, Haman the Agagite, above all other Princes, commanding that he should be reverenced.
2 And all the king’s servants, that were in the king’s gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence.
When it was noticed Mordecai did not fall down before Haman, he explained to the King’s servants that he was a Jew, and only worshipped the true God and not men. They told Haman what he had said.
5 And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath. 6 And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai. Esther 3
Haman believed in the supernatural and it was a year before he thought the omens were right for him to go to the King with the evil plan he had devised.
8 And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king’s laws: therefore it is not for the king’s profit to suffer them. 9 If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king’s treasuries. 10 And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews’ enemy. 11 And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee. Esther 3
You you may have noticed in that quotation that Haman the Agagite is described as “the enemy of the Jews”. Many Bible scholars think the Agagites were descendants of King Agag of the Amalakites who fought a battle with King David in which they were almost totally destroyed and this is why Haman so hated the Jews.
Haman lost no time in getting the necessary documents prepared and distributed throughout the huge empire where Nebuchadnezzar had previously scattered the Jews.
The effect on the Jews was devastating.
1 When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry; … 3 And in every province, whithersoever the king’s commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes. 4 So Esther’s maids and her chamberlains came and told it her. Esther 4
Esther, shut away in the palace had no idea what was going on. So she could not understand what her servants told her was happening. She sent Hatach, her chief chamberlain to speak to Mordecai.
7 And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king’s treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them. 8 Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people. 9 And Hatach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai.
Esther was horrified at this suggestion, and sent back this message:-
11 All the king’s servants, and the people of the king’s provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.
Mordecai was concerned at her reply and uttered those memorable words quoted in the header for this article.
13 Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews. 14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
Esther accepted, as she always had, that Mordecai was right on important matters and like him, put her faith in their Heavenly Father. She instructed Mordicai … …
16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish. Esther 4
She was not the only one who has had to face such a situation. Three captives, many years before,who had refused to obey Nebuchadnezzer and bow in worship, were condemned to burning in a furnace by that King of Babylon who had proudly declaired..
15 Who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands? Daniel 3
Shadrac, Meshach and Abednego, who stood before him then, replied with confidence…
17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. 18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. Daniel 3
Reading Daniel chapter 3 tells of their courage and how they walked from the furnace untouched by the flames. We are confident when they said, “He will deliver us out of thine hand”, it was because they believed God had the power to resurrect and reward the faithful.
Now Esther knew that the servants of God have to plan wisely so it was surely with much prayer that she began her approach to the King.
2 And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre. 3 Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom.
She didn’t rush things. She needed to prepare the King and simply invited the King and his chief Prince, Haman, to a banquet. All went well and at the banquet the King said to her:-
6 … What is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed. 7 Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request is; 8 If I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do to morrow as the king hath said.
Soon we will see how God had been backing this faithful pair, Esther and Mordecai from the beginning had planned the way events would unfold. But firstly we are told of the effect being invited to the Queen’s banquet had on proud self- seeking Haman.
9 Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king’s gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him, he was full of indignation against Mordecai.
He went home and boasted to his family.
11 … Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all the things wherein the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king. 12 Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and to morrow am I invited unto her also with the king. 13 Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate. Esther 5
Zeresh his wife and friends solution was to have a gallows made 50 cubits high (over 25ft or 8 metres), and ask the King’s permission to hang Mordecai; this pleased him and he looked forward to the next days banquet with a merry heart. That very night the king could not sleep …
1 … and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king. b And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus. 3 And the king said, What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the king’s servants that ministered unto him, There is nothing done for him. Esther 6
Meanwhile, Haman was excitedly waiting in the outer court to arrange Mordecai’s hanging. The king asked who was in the outer court…
5 And the king’s servants said unto him, Behold, Haman standeth in the court. And the king said, Let him come in. 6 So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour? Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honour more than to myself?
This arrogant self opinionated man answered delightedly …
8 Let the royal apparel be brought which the king useth to wear, and the horse that the king rideth upon, and the crown royal which is set upon his head: 9 And let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king’s most noble princes, that they may array the man withal whom the king delighteth to honour, and bring him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honour. 10 Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at the king’s gate: let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken.
How wonderfully the hand of God works for His people and His faithful servants. Haman did as the King commanded but returned home with a heavy heart. His superstitious family showed him no sympathy.
13 … Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him 14 And while they were yet talking with him, came the king’s chamberlains, and hasted to bring Haman unto the banquet that Esther had prepared. Esther 6
Meanwhile Esther, probably oblivious of all this, was overseeing the preparation for her next banquet with Haman and the King.
Let us read the dramatic description of what transpired from the scriptures.
Esther 7
2 And the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition, queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? and it shall be performed, even to the half of the kingdom. 3 Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request: 4 For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king’s damage. 5 Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so? 6 And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen. 7 And the king arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath went into the palace garden: and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king. 8 Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the bed whereon Esther was. Then said the king, Will he force the queen also before me in the house? As the word went out of the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face. 9 And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said before the king, Behold also, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman had made for Mordecai, who had spoken good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman. Then the king said, Hang him thereon. 10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king’s wrath pacified.
What a wonderful deliverance of the Jews from the hands of a wicked man. Then Esther told the King what Mordecai was to her and the King gave his ring to Mordecai setting him above all other Princes in place of Haman.
3 And Esther spake yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had devised against the Jews. Esther 8
As a result of her pleadings Mordecai was given authority to write a new edict to be sent throughout the vast empire giving the Jews authoritiy to protect themselves and making death the penalty for anyone who threatened a Jews life.
The rejoicing amongst the Jews was huge and the work of Esther and Mordecai is still celebrated by the Jews today at the feast of Purim in early March.
So we come to the whole purpose of drawing your attention to these events and particularly Queen Esther, and her fathers uncle, Mordecai, who took such great care of Esther.
It demonstrates the way in which God works for those who strive to the best of their ability and even to the limits of their strength to please Him and fit their life to His purpose, whatever the risks and however difficult it may be. It is interesting to see how God does this. The apostle Paul, speaking of the superiority of Christ, reveals the purpose of angels and says…
… of the angels … 14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? Hebrews 1
We find throughout the scriptures that the angels, more often unseen than seen, oversee the lives of those who place themselves in God’s care. this applies even today. As the scriptures say…
7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. 8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. Psalm 34
It shows that when someone is striving to serve God faithfully, they will come under God’s providential care and He will overturn events as happened in Esther and Mordecai’s case for
11 … he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. Psalm 91
Jesus promises he will protect and guide his disciples everywhere, and in every age, who work for him by caring for others….
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28
Paul,writing to both Gentile and Jewish believers, wrote,
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10
It is time to conclude our article, but if you want to know more about how to share in the salvation that Esther and Mordecai believed in, here are some articles you might like to read.
The Truth about the Resurrection