Esther Chapter 4
Please read: Esther 4 –
When Mordecai learned about what all Haman had done, procuring the king’s permissions to annihilate the Jews, he cried loudly in the town square. The Bible says that he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes and cried with a loud voice at the king’s gate. In every province the Jewish population became aware of what sinister things were plotted against them as the copies of the decree went out; and they cried, prayed and fasted.
Queen Esther heard about the outcry of Mordecai and how he was in sackcloth and thought she should help his reputation by sending him clothes to put on. When he refused her gift, she sent word by her servants to ask Mordecai to explain the situation to her. She was completely unaware of the plans against the Jews, her people, in the name of the king. This also meant that she did not know that her husband the king was not the real mastermind behind the plan to annihilate the Jews.
Let's Reflect
1. When Mordecai would not accept the queen’s gift of clothing, she knew something was terribly wrong. She asked her servants then to do what?
2. Mordecai relayed to the queen all the details. He even knew what fact about the plot according to verse 7?
3. Mordecai gave the queen a copy of the decree that would be the command of the king to kill the Jews. What did Mordecai ask of Queen Esther?
4. Queen Esther sent a message back explaining that she could not just go and see the king. Why couldn’t she?
5. Mordecai helped Esther to see that her life, and his, was in danger whether she spoke up to the king or not. The king didn’t know that Esther was a Jew, but you can be sure that as lives were taken the truth would have been revealed. What decision did Esther make regarding Mordecai’s request for her to plead to the king?
6. Esther had one request of Mordecai and her Jewish people. What was it?
7. Esther made a decision to be brave even when she wasn’t brave. She knew she needed God’s strength to help her do what was necessary. She knew that it might cost her - her life, but she knew she had to try. Wisely she asked that others be praying for her and wisely she herself prayed for God’s courage to do what was difficult. What other things do you imagine that she asked of God in those 3 days of fasting and praying?
