Esther 4: The Resolute Request of Mordecai
Notes
Transcript
Introduction:
Introduction:
Something looms ahead of every person who has ever lived, including you, death. We are reminded of this reality every time a loved one dies, every time a terminal diagnosis is reported, and every time we feel the reality of an aging body. There is a death sentence on all of us. It is this way because of sin. As Paul said, "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23) and "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Hebrews says, "after death comes judgment" (Hebrews 9:27-28).
Our situation is serious. Who can go before the God whom we have sinned against and make intercession on our behalf? Who can pay for sin? Who can represent us? Who can serve as a mediator between God and man? If there is such a person, then we have hope. If there is no such person, then we have no hope. Our text tells a real-life story and illustration of our plight; upon retelling it and reflecting on what we find there, I'll provide the answer to those questions I just mentioned.
Retell
Retell
As we begin, see the sorrow of the people (1-3).
As we begin, see the sorrow of the people (1-3).
Mordecai tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, went out in the city, and cried with a loud and bitter cry. He went to the entrance of the king's gate because no one could enter in while wearing mourning attire. By identifying with the people of God, Mordecai was barred from participating in the World Empire. Upon hearing the king's edict, the rest of the Jews in the empire mourned, wept, and lamented with fasting. They, also, laid in sackcloth and ashes.
The responses of weeping, lamenting, fasting, tearing cloths, sitting in ashes, and sackcloth were how deep grief was often expressed in the Old Testament. Before divine judgment or impending destruction (Isaiah 36:22, Jonah 3:6; Job 1:20), such responses can be seen in several Old Testament texts. The same responses often show up after a disaster is experienced (Genesis 37:34-35; 50:3; 2 Samuel 1:11; 3:31; 13:3) or in the face of sin (Numbers 14:6; Ezra 9:3). Emotional grief and spiritual torment often manifest in very visible expressions like black attire at funerals.
In addition to expressions of grief mentioned in Esther, we would expect prayer to be mentioned. Yet, it wasn’t. We may assume that prayer was a part of the mourning process for the Jews here in Esther, but by not mentioning it, the author aligns with the theme of hidden hope. The Jews mourn, lament, and cry. Perhaps their God, who seems hidden, will save them.
You have seen the sorrow of the people.
Now, see the shallowness of the palace (4, 5).
Now, see the shallowness of the palace (4, 5).
Esther's young women and eunuchs tell her of Mordecai's great display of grief. She responded with deep distress and sent garments to clothe him. He refused to take them. Finally, she sent Hathach, one of the king's eunuchs, to determine why he was so grieved.
Esther seemed unaware of the edict to destroy, kill, and annihilate the Jews. This is the shallowness of the palace. The queen is so taken by the day-to-day doings of royalty that she seems to have missed the national plot to kill her entire people, maybe even her. Is it not common that those who have much are ignorant of the plight of those who do not? Ignorance sometimes has the appearance of bliss, but it often leads to something bloody.
You have seen the shallowness of the palace.
Next, see the supplication of the mourner (6-8).
Next, see the supplication of the mourner (6-8).
Hathach went to Mordecai in front of the king's gate. Mordecai informed him of all that happened to him. He told him exact amount Haman had promised to pay into the king's treasuries for the annihilation of the Jews. He gave him a copy of the written edict decreed in Susa. His reason for doing such a thing was so that Hathach might give it to Esther, explain it to her, and demand that she go to the king, beg his favor, and plead with him on behalf of the people. In short, Mordecai, a believer, was supplicating to Queen Esther, requesting her to be a mediator between her people and the king so that they might be saved from the coming disaster.
You have seen the supplication of the mourner.
Following the supplication of the mourner, see the skepticism of the queen (9-11).
Following the supplication of the mourner, see the skepticism of the queen (9-11).
Esther sent back her response to Mordecai's supplication. In short, she was skeptical of the prospect of her going before the king without first being called by him. In more detail, she replied by saying that everyone in all the kingdom know the customs of the king's court. There is one law for the person who enters the inner court without being summoned first—they are to die. The only exception to this rule was for the one to whom the king extended his golden scepter. This person may live.
The king had absolute control of his subjects. At his order, they die, or at his order, they live. This absolute control also was over the queen. Esther concluded her skeptical response by stating that the king had not called her to himself for thirty whole days. Perhaps his love for her had waned. If she entered without his summoning, she might die. By protesting the king's edict, the queen may seal her demise.
You have seen the skepticism of the queen.
In response to the skepticism of the queen, see the statement of the truth (12-14).
In response to the skepticism of the queen, see the statement of the truth (12-14).
After Mordecai heard the skeptical reply of the queen, he responded with a powerful statement of truth: Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, "Do not think to yourself that in the king's palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish."
He stated that her status as queen would not protect her from doom. In fact, a refusal to use her position to help her people will result in her and her family's destruction. However, relief and deliverance would come from another place. From where did his confidence come?
Mordecai’s confidence came from an ironclad belief in the promises of God. God had promised that from Abraham would come a seed, an offspring, that would bless the nations (Genesis 12:3; Galatians 3:8). The destruction of the Jews would make God a liar. This could never happen. Thus, the Jews will be delivered no matter how insurmountable the odds.
The promise God made to Abraham likewise included a promise of blessing for those who bless Abraham's seed and curse for those who do not. This other part of the promise God made to Abraham is why Mordecai is sure that Esther's refusal to help her people will result in her destruction.
Mordecai follows his statement of the truth with an inviting question: "And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" Mordecai does not know. Esther does not know. However, her older cousin invites her to consider the prospect of being God's means to deliver her people from destruction.
You have seen the statement of the truth.
To wrap it up, see the settlement of the mediator (15-17).
To wrap it up, see the settlement of the mediator (15-17).
Esther responded to the statement of truth and invitation question with a settlement to mediate on behalf of her people. She commanded Mordecai to gather all the Jews in Susa and hold a fast from food and drink for three days. After three days, she would go into the king.
She concluded by saying, "If I perish, I perish." Mordecai responded, doing all that Esther ordered him. No longer is she a compliant girl left to the whims and will of the world empire. She is a Jewish queen and will do what is right even if it means death.
Transition:
Transition:
You have seen several aspects of this story. You have seen the sorrow of the people, shallowness of the palace, supplication of the mourner, skepticism of the queen, statement of the truth, and settlement of the mediator. This dramatic Old Testament story illustrates our desperate need for a mediator. Moreover, it foreshadows the arrival of that mediator.
Esther is a believer who must enter a place of power to plead on behalf of her people. She points to a greater mediator who must likewise entered a place of power to plead for His people. Esther stood before the king of the World Empire. The greater mediator stood before the King of Kings. Esther bravely said, "If I perish, I perish." The greater mediator said, "Not what I will, but what you will." Esther faced the possibility of death and prospered. The greater mediator faced the certainty of death and conquered.
Now I will answer those questions I asked initially: Who can serve as a mediator between God and man? Who can go before the God whom we have sinned against and make intercession on our behalf? Who can pay for sin? Who can represent us? Who can serve as a mediator between God and man? The answer is Jesus is the only mediator between God and man. That is the big idea. Consider two appropriate responses to it.
Apply
Apply
1. Jesus is the only mediator between God and man, so trust in Him.
1. Jesus is the only mediator between God and man, so trust in Him.
Mordecai believed in God's promises, so did Esther. They believed that God would deliver His people. So did Jesus. Esther wasn't sure about whether or not she was the one who God would use to deliver her people from the hands of Haman. Jesus was sure that He was God's only begotten and beloved Son. He was sure that in giving His life as a ransom, God would accept His sacrifice, raise Him from the dead, and give Him the people for whom He died.
Jesus is the perfect mediator between God and man. He is true God, God the Son to be specific, so He can pay the infinite debt we sinners owe. He is true man, so He can stand as representative for men. He lived in perfect righteousness. He once offered Himself up a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice and reconcile us to God. He rose, showing that His sacrifice was accepted. He ascended and makes continual intercession for His people. He will return in power to rescue His people from final judgment and judge His enemies.
Christian, Christ, and Christ alone is your hope. This is still as true this morning as it was when you first believed. It will also be true tomorrow all the way unto eternity.
Church, Christ is our prophet, priest, and king. We do not need gimmicks to thrive as a church. We do not need worldly power or wealth to make an impact as a church. We need Christ.
Unbeliever, death and judgment are a certainty for all, including you. There is only one mediator who can save a sinner like you from both. It is the Lord Jesus Christ. Thus, trust in Him while there is still time.
Jesus is the only mediator between God and man, so trust in Him.
2. Jesus is the only mediator between God and man, so talk about Him.
2. Jesus is the only mediator between God and man, so talk about Him.
Though it is true that Esther as a mediator points first and foremost to the great mediator Jesus Christ, God still puts His people in places and opportunities to speak the truth and advocate for justice.
Christian, has God put you in a place or an opportunity to preach the truth? Pray for sensitivity to see such opportunities. Pray for boldness to take such opportunities. Pray for clarity to make the most of such opportunities. Do not stop at prayer. Also, think. Think about the places God has put you. Think about the people that God has placed around you. Think about the good you can do. Think about how you might share the truth of Jesus Christ with the people around you. Do not stop at thinking. Begin talking about Jesus. Talk about Him with one another. Talk about Him with an unbeliever.
Conclude
Conclude
I started by stating that death looms ahead of everyone, including you. You saw the sorrow of the people, shallowness of the palace, supplication of the mourner, skepticism of the queen, statement of the truth, and settlement of the mediator. We reflected about how Esther points to the greater mediator. I asked who can mediate between God and man? The answer is Jesus is the only mediator between God and man. I called you to respond by trusting in Him and talking about Him.
Listener, there is hope. And He has a name. His name is Jesus. He came give rest to the weary. He came to seek the lost. He came save the sinner. Are you weary, lost, and a sinner? Come to Jesus and turn from your sin. He will not turn you away. Let's pray.