Tag: Scepter

King seated on an ornate throne extending a jeweled scepter to a queen in a grand palace hall with golden columns and courtiers.
Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Quiet Time, She, Volume 4

Esther, Part 3

Posted on by MaryEllen

adapted from She, volume 4, Delighting in the Examples of the Women of the Bible, pp 21-22

Today’s Scripture: Esther 3-4

“…and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14b

As has been said many times already, Esther was placed here in this Kingdom at a specific time for a specific purpose. From an exiled Jew, to an orphan girl, to one of hundreds ‘auditioning’ for the role of Queen of Persia, she now has the opportunity to save her people (God’s people) from the murderous plot of Haman.

So far in our journey through Esther, the attention has been on the King’s need for a new queen and Esther’s rise to that position. Today, the story turns its focus to Mordecai, Esther’s relative, who raised her and Haman, King Xerxes’ chief adviser. To understand what happens next, it is vitally important that we understand the connection between the two men.

  • In Esther 3 one of Xerxes’ chief advisers, Haman, is angered that Mordecai will not bow down to him, so he hatches a plot to kill not only Mordecai but all of the Jews. Haman convinces King Xerxes to authorize the extermination; however, it appears that the king does not know the identity of the people that Haman plans to wipe out—only that they are enemies of the state. He trusts Haman to handle the details. In chapter 4 Mordecai informs Esther of the danger the Jews are in and convinces her to intercede with the king. The problem Esther faces is that Xerxes has not called for her for some time and, if she approaches him without being summoned, she risks death. At this point, neither the king nor Haman knows Esther’s nationality or her relationship to Mordecai. Mordecai encourages Esther to take the risk, saying that perhaps she has been made queen “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14).
  • The Root of the Conflict: Mordecai refused to bow to Haman due to his Jewish convictions, which triggered Haman’s murderous rage. Guzik points out that this conflict mirrors the historical, spiritual enmity between Satan and God’s people. Blue Letter Bible +3
  • Malicious Deception: To convince King Ahasuerus to sign the decree of annihilation, Haman manipulated the king by falsely labeling the Jews as an isolated, disobedient, and dangerous people. 
  • The Sovereignty of God: Guzik reminds readers that even when God’s name is not explicitly mentioned, His redemptive plan remains firm behind the scenes, turning chaotic evil into eventual deliverance. 1

Esther was worried about the request Mordecai had made of her, and rightfully so. To go before the King could mean not just upsetting the King, but there was a great chance she would lose her life. Mordecai is undoubtedly aware of this, yet he still prods her to consider that this might be the very reason God has placed her in the position of Queen. Friends, Mordecai’s instructions and reminder to Esther that she was there for a reason couldn’t have been easy for either of them. Yet, as her parental figure and spiritual mentor, it was the right thing to say, and as fear/concern arose within her, she needed to hear the admonishment and encouragement, to be spurred on, as Paul wrote to the church in the New Testament. Honestly, friends, I cannot help but think that this is our job as believers today. For as brothers and sisters in Christ, we are to encourage one another daily, spurring one another on to love and good works, lifting each other up when we are weak. Likewise, are we not to respond as Esther did, both committing to pray and requesting prayer for issues concerning the body of Christ?

She is a wonderful example for us to follow, as women of faith.

Esther considers his words and takes it upon herself to fast and pray for three days, asking Mordecai to: “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.” – It strikes me that while Esther ‘intimately’ knew the King she wasn’t certain she could trust the him not to kill her; but she both knew and trusted her God. She was concerned, if not scared, for her welfare, yet she did not change her position nor her commitment to what she was called to do.

She did not do it alone; she enlisted her people to fast and pray for her … pledging to “go in unto the king even thought it wasn’t according to the law,” saying: “If I perish, I perish.”

If you’ve never read the ending of Esther’s beautiful story, I encourage you to make time for that now – and see the unbelievable way that she was used by God to save not only Mordecai and herself but all of God’s people. You will undoubtedly see that Esther is an example not only of God’s sovereign power but also of how He can empower us to do great things for His glory.

Reflection and Application

  • What would have happened to Esther if the king had not held out the golden scepter?
  • Would you be brave enough to risk your life for God’s glory?
  • How can you follow Esther’s example?
  • How can you follow Mordecai’s example?

The More We Know

  1. Blue Letter Bible, Commentary by David Guzik on Esther chapter 3 and 4:14 ↩︎