Esther – For Such a Time as This
Book of Esther (especially chapter 4) (NIV)
King Xerxes of Persia chose a young Jewish woman named Esther to be his queen. She kept her Jewish identity a secret, as her cousin Mordecai had advised.
A wicked man named Haman was promoted to the highest position. He hated Mordecai because Mordecai would not bow to him. Haman plotted to kill all the Jews throughout the empire. The king, not knowing Esther was Jewish, signed the decree.
Mordecai sent a message to Esther: “Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone will escape. If you remain silent, relief will come from elsewhere, but you and your family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”
Esther knew that going to the king without being summoned could mean death. But she said, “Go, gather all the Jews, and fast for me. When it is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”
She went to the king, who extended his golden scepter to her. She invited the king and Haman to two banquets. At the second banquet, she revealed her identity and pleaded for her people. The king was furious with Haman, who was hanged on the very gallows he had built for Mordecai. The Jews were saved.
Moral: God places you in positions for a purpose. When the moment comes, have courage to act.
A wicked man named Haman was promoted to the highest position. He hated Mordecai because Mordecai would not bow to him. Haman plotted to kill all the Jews throughout the empire. The king, not knowing Esther was Jewish, signed the decree.
Mordecai sent a message to Esther: “Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone will escape. If you remain silent, relief will come from elsewhere, but you and your family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”
Esther knew that going to the king without being summoned could mean death. But she said, “Go, gather all the Jews, and fast for me. When it is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”
She went to the king, who extended his golden scepter to her. She invited the king and Haman to two banquets. At the second banquet, she revealed her identity and pleaded for her people. The king was furious with Haman, who was hanged on the very gallows he had built for Mordecai. The Jews were saved.
Moral: God places you in positions for a purpose. When the moment comes, have courage to act.