Mordecai and Esther Communicate Esther 4

Esther 4:1 "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 bitter cry; v2 And came even before the king's gate; for none might enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth."

Mordecai has gotten the word of the decree sent out concerning the Jews. Haman had persuaded the king to let the Jews be killed. Haman did this because the Jews would not bow to him, particularly Mordecai.

This chapter is a back and forth between Mordecai and Esther. Mordecai wants Esther to go to the king but she fears for her life if she goes before the king uninvited. Mordecai tells her that she will die anyway because the decree was for all the Jews to be killed.

v14 "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 declares a fast and tells Mordecai to get the people to fast for her three days. She answered with these famous words:

v16 "...and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish."

It seems strange, to me, that such a burden would be laid on this young woman. She was but a young Jewish girl who was stolen away to the palace for the king's pleasure. But on her shoulders rest the fate of all the Jews in the king's provinces, over a hundred of them. In the next chapter, we will see how she did.

Here we should stop and note that even though Mordecai and Esther have developed a plan, The people have prayed and fasted for three days. In their captivity, they have turned to God for help. It is a good time to remember II Chronicles 7:12 "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

Psalm 42:11 "By this I know that thou favorest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me."

Mordecai and Esther talk back and forth about her visit to the king to save their people.

Mordecai and Haman face off.