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Esther Agrees to Mordeai's Plan
v. 10. Again Esther spake unto Hatach and gave him commandment unto Mordecai,
v. 11. All the king's servants and the people of the king's provinces do know that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, that part of the courtyard adjoining the king's apartments and the throne-room, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden scepter, the long tapering staff, the symbol of royal authority, that he may live. But I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days; she feared that the king had become indifferent to her, and that any attempt to approach his throne without his express invitation might change his indifference into dislike, so that the venture would cost her her life. The Persian law required that all business was to be brought to the attention of the king through his ministers, including all petitions, and Esther interpreted the law to mean that, unless called and therefore also acceptable to the king, she dared not approach his throne except at the risk of her life, in spite of the fact that she was his favorite wife and officially recognized as queen.
v. 12. And they told to Mordecai Esther's words.
v. 13. Then Mordecal, bound to remove Esther's hesitation, since it would absolutely hinder the success of his plan, commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, merely by virtue of her position in the king's palace, as queen of the empire, more than all the Jews.
v. 14. For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, not making an attempt to intercede in behalf of the people of her race, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place, for Mordecai confidently believed that the Lord would provide a way to deliver the Jews from the impending destruction, so that they would be able once more to breathe freely; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed, being overtaken by the punishment of God for the negligence exhibited in this crisIsaiah And who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom, holding the position of queen, for such a time as this? Mordecai firmly believed that it was the providence of God which had placed Esther in the position she occupied at this time, for the purpose of effecting a deliverance of God's people.
v. 15. Then Esther, overcome by this appeal, bade them return Mordecai this answer,
v. 16. 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, a very severe fast, accompanied with urgent prayer to God to give success to the plan suggested by Mordecai. I also and my maidens, her servants-in-waiting, who may have been Jewish girls gradually introduced by Esther, will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law, not legally allowed; and if I perish, I perish. Thus she expressed her willing submission to the fate which might be in store for her if she performed what she now considered her duty, the risk being all the greater since she would not only approach the king's throne unannounced, but also intended asking a favor of him which involved the recall of a royal edict and an interference in the business of the empire.
v. 17. So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him. Note: It is altogether permissible for any person who enjoys the favor of the mighty ones of this world to make use of this factor in counteracting the evil plans of the enemies of the Church. Also: Every important matter in the Church should be begun with, and accompanied by, prayer.