Mordecai Persuades Esther to Help
4 When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly.2 But he went only as far as the king’s gate, because no one clothed in sackcloth was allowed to enter it.3 In every province to which the edict and order of the king came, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping and wailing. Many lay in sackcloth and ashes. (NIV)
4 When Mor′decai learned all that had been done, Mor′decai rent his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, wailing with a loud and bitter cry;2 he went up to the entrance of the king’s gate, for no one might enter the king’s gate clothed with sackcloth. 3 And in every province, wherever the king’s command and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting and weeping and lamenting, and most of them lay in sackcloth and ashes. (RSV)
4 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 a bitter cry;
2 And came even before the king's gate: for none might enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth.
3 And in every province, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes. (KJV)
When the edict was publicized, Mordecai was very sorrowful and filled with repentance. He tore his clothes and put sackcloth and lay in ashes. Sackcloth and ashes is a symbol of morning and repentance in the Old Testament.
In every provinces throughout the kingdom/empire, there was great morning and repentance among the Jews. Fasting, weeping, wailing and laying in sackcloth and ashes. All the Jews were grieved and sorrowful because they know they will be killed and annihilated on that fateful day (as announced in the King's edict), and their assets/properties will be plundered by their attackers.
Question: Why did Mordecai go out into the city centre to show his sorrow and repentance?
Possible Reasons:
1) To publicly show the sorrow and repentance to all, including Jews and non-Jews.
2) To encourage the Jews to do the same, to repent and pray for deliverance from God.
3) To publicly acknowledge that he is a Jew. By such sorrowful reaction to the King's edict to destroy and annihilate the Jews, everyone who saw his weeping and wailing would know he is a Jew. Other Jews, when they do the same, are also revealing their ethnicity. Resulting in some form of unified action and unified thinking.
Unity is important if the Jews are to defend themselves against their enemies and attackers. Unity enables coordinated and organised defense.
4 When Esther’s eunuchs and female attendants came and told her about Mordecai, she was in great distress. She sent clothes for him to put on instead of his sackcloth, but he would not accept them.5 Then Esther summoned Hathak, one of the king’s eunuchs assigned to attend her, and ordered him to find out what was troubling Mordecai and why. (NIV)
4 When Esther’s maids and her eunuchs came and told her, the queen was deeply distressed; she sent garments to clothe Mor′decai, so that he might take off his sackcloth, but he would not accept them. (RSV)
4 So Esther's maids and her chamberlains came and told it her. Then was the queen exceedingly grieved; and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from him: but he received it not. (KJV)
When Queen Esther heard about Mordecai and Jews' weeping, wailing, laying in sackcloth and ashes, she also shared the sorrow despite not knowing what has happened or what was to happen.
Esther sent proper clothes to Mordecai to change, but Mordecai refused to stop the mourning. Removal of the sackcloth was like the ending of the mourning. The Jews were already in terrible fate, having become captives and brought from their homeland to Babylon and Babylonian provinces. Now, the Jews will suffer a greater fate, this time total destruction and annihilation of their race. So, how could Mordecai stop mourning? Mordecai was rightful to continue mourning...until a solution of deliverance is known and decided.
7 Mordecai told him everything that had happened to him, including the exact amount of money Haman had promised to pay into the royal treasury for the destruction of the Jews. 8 He also gave him a copy of the text of the edict for their annihilation, which had been published in Susa, to show to Esther and explain it to her, and he told him to instruct her to go into the king’s presence to beg for mercy and plead with him for her people. (NIV)
7 and Mor′decai told him all that had happened to him, and the exact sum of money that Haman had promised to pay into the king’s treasuries for the destruction of the Jews. 8 Mor′decai also gave him a copy of the written decree issued in Susa for their destruction, that he might show it to Esther and explain it to her and charge her to go to the king to make supplication to him and entreat him for her people. 9 And Hathach went and told Esther what Mor′decai had said. (RSV)
Mordecai explained everything that happened to the messenger, which the messenger would inform Esther. Mordecai mentioned every detail, including the promise of monies contribution for destruction of Jews.
For additional proof, Mordecai handed a copy of the King's edict/decree to the messenger, to be forwarded to Esther.
Mordecai requested Esther to appeal to the King, for the lives of the Jews.
Communication concept:
1. Tell all the important facts, not leaving any small but important details.
2. Show the documented evidence to support the facts.
3. If communicating through an intermediary, documented evidence plays a vital role.
9 Hathak went back and reported to Esther what Mordecai had said. 10 Then she instructed him to say to Mordecai, 11 “All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold scepter to them and spares their lives. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king.” (NIV)
Although King Xerxes was in love with Esther, she did not get to see him every day or sleep with him every night. The King had hundreds of concubines, so he sleeps with a different woman every night.
Seeing the King without being summoned would anger the King. The King most likely did not want to be bothered by any one of his hundreds of women. The King most likely did not want to be bothered by walk-in guests, including his generals, governors, princes, officials.
Seeing the King without an appointment (without being summoned) is a No-No. It is like....impossible to meet an important CEO without prior appointment.
12 When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai,13 he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (NIV)
14 For if you keep silence at such a time as this, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another quarter, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (RSV)
14 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? (KJV)
Mordecai appealed for Esther's the second time. Mordecai persuaded by emphasizing on 4 facts:
1) Esther will be safe and alive even if she doesn't appeal to the King on behalf of the Jews.
2) The Jews might be able to organize and defend themselves, especially in the outer provinces. There will be survivors among the Jews. Probably, NOT all the Jews will die.
3) Esther's relative, particularly Mordecai himself, and other relatives living in Susa city will die.
4) There is a purpose by God..... Esther becoming Queen. Probably Esther would be God's answer for the deliverance of the Jews from their enemies.
The last fact was the most important.
Management concept: Sometimes, the last point is THE MOST IMPORTANT point.
The last point was probably the most convincing statement for Esther to take the risk of losing her life to go into the King's presence without being summoned.
15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” (NIV)
When the edict was publicized, Mordecai was very sorrowful and filled with repentance. He tore his clothes and put sackcloth and lay in ashes. Sackcloth and ashes is a symbol of morning and repentance in the Old Testament.
In every provinces throughout the kingdom/empire, there was great morning and repentance among the Jews. Fasting, weeping, wailing and laying in sackcloth and ashes. All the Jews were grieved and sorrowful because they know they will be killed and annihilated on that fateful day (as announced in the King's edict), and their assets/properties will be plundered by their attackers.
Question: Why did Mordecai go out into the city centre to show his sorrow and repentance?
Possible Reasons:
1) To publicly show the sorrow and repentance to all, including Jews and non-Jews.
2) To encourage the Jews to do the same, to repent and pray for deliverance from God.
3) To publicly acknowledge that he is a Jew. By such sorrowful reaction to the King's edict to destroy and annihilate the Jews, everyone who saw his weeping and wailing would know he is a Jew. Other Jews, when they do the same, are also revealing their ethnicity. Resulting in some form of unified action and unified thinking.
Unity is important if the Jews are to defend themselves against their enemies and attackers. Unity enables coordinated and organised defense.
4 When Esther’s eunuchs and female attendants came and told her about Mordecai, she was in great distress. She sent clothes for him to put on instead of his sackcloth, but he would not accept them.5 Then Esther summoned Hathak, one of the king’s eunuchs assigned to attend her, and ordered him to find out what was troubling Mordecai and why. (NIV)
4 When Esther’s maids and her eunuchs came and told her, the queen was deeply distressed; she sent garments to clothe Mor′decai, so that he might take off his sackcloth, but he would not accept them. (RSV)
4 So Esther's maids and her chamberlains came and told it her. Then was the queen exceedingly grieved; and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from him: but he received it not. (KJV)
When Queen Esther heard about Mordecai and Jews' weeping, wailing, laying in sackcloth and ashes, she also shared the sorrow despite not knowing what has happened or what was to happen.
Esther sent proper clothes to Mordecai to change, but Mordecai refused to stop the mourning. Removal of the sackcloth was like the ending of the mourning. The Jews were already in terrible fate, having become captives and brought from their homeland to Babylon and Babylonian provinces. Now, the Jews will suffer a greater fate, this time total destruction and annihilation of their race. So, how could Mordecai stop mourning? Mordecai was rightful to continue mourning...until a solution of deliverance is known and decided.
7 Mordecai told him everything that had happened to him, including the exact amount of money Haman had promised to pay into the royal treasury for the destruction of the Jews. 8 He also gave him a copy of the text of the edict for their annihilation, which had been published in Susa, to show to Esther and explain it to her, and he told him to instruct her to go into the king’s presence to beg for mercy and plead with him for her people. (NIV)
7 and Mor′decai told him all that had happened to him, and the exact sum of money that Haman had promised to pay into the king’s treasuries for the destruction of the Jews. 8 Mor′decai also gave him a copy of the written decree issued in Susa for their destruction, that he might show it to Esther and explain it to her and charge her to go to the king to make supplication to him and entreat him for her people. 9 And Hathach went and told Esther what Mor′decai had said. (RSV)
Mordecai explained everything that happened to the messenger, which the messenger would inform Esther. Mordecai mentioned every detail, including the promise of monies contribution for destruction of Jews.
For additional proof, Mordecai handed a copy of the King's edict/decree to the messenger, to be forwarded to Esther.
Mordecai requested Esther to appeal to the King, for the lives of the Jews.
Communication concept:
1. Tell all the important facts, not leaving any small but important details.
2. Show the documented evidence to support the facts.
3. If communicating through an intermediary, documented evidence plays a vital role.
9 Hathak went back and reported to Esther what Mordecai had said. 10 Then she instructed him to say to Mordecai, 11 “All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold scepter to them and spares their lives. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king.” (NIV)
Although King Xerxes was in love with Esther, she did not get to see him every day or sleep with him every night. The King had hundreds of concubines, so he sleeps with a different woman every night.
Seeing the King without being summoned would anger the King. The King most likely did not want to be bothered by any one of his hundreds of women. The King most likely did not want to be bothered by walk-in guests, including his generals, governors, princes, officials.
Seeing the King without an appointment (without being summoned) is a No-No. It is like....impossible to meet an important CEO without prior appointment.
12 When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai,13 he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (NIV)
14 For if you keep silence at such a time as this, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another quarter, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (RSV)
14 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? (KJV)
Mordecai appealed for Esther's the second time. Mordecai persuaded by emphasizing on 4 facts:
1) Esther will be safe and alive even if she doesn't appeal to the King on behalf of the Jews.
2) The Jews might be able to organize and defend themselves, especially in the outer provinces. There will be survivors among the Jews. Probably, NOT all the Jews will die.
3) Esther's relative, particularly Mordecai himself, and other relatives living in Susa city will die.
4) There is a purpose by God..... Esther becoming Queen. Probably Esther would be God's answer for the deliverance of the Jews from their enemies.
The last fact was the most important.
Management concept: Sometimes, the last point is THE MOST IMPORTANT point.
The last point was probably the most convincing statement for Esther to take the risk of losing her life to go into the King's presence without being summoned.
15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” (NIV)
15 Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer,
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: 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. (KJV)
When Mordecai first requested her to appeal to the King, Esther was fearful and afraid to see the King without being summoned, afraid to lose her life. When Mordecai requested her the second time, deliberating the 4 facts including God's purpose for Esther to become the Queen, she had become daring, and ready to pay the price of death for going to see the King without being summoned. Noted that she was still fearful although willing and ready to die. (Following the law was important in Susa. Queen Vashti was divorced/demoted because she refused to follow the King's instruction. Furthermore, Queen Esther seemed to be a submissive and obedient person. She would follow the law, hence, fearful to see the King without being summoned, because such was the rule.)
Queen Esther wanted a great fasting (3 days, 3 nights, no eating nor drinking). She wanted the Jews seriously cry out to God for His hand, for God to help Esther in effectively appealing to the King to cancel the edict/decree for the one-day destruction of Jews throughout the entire kingdom/empire.
Application: Pray and fast. If we need God's hand in certain crucial situation, we should pray and fast.
God will give us the wisdom to plan and decide on the wise course of actions in the crucial situation.
17 So Mordecai went away and carried out all of Esther’s instructions. (NIV)
17 Mor′decai then went away and did everything as Esther had ordered him. (RSV)
17 So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him. (KJV)
Mordecai carried out the actions according to Esther's instruction/order/command. Mordecai, although the guardian or foster father, listened and obeyed Esther's instruction.
Any wise instruction should be obeyed. Any wise advice should be considered and accepted.
God can work in wondrous ways, in surprising manner. God could work through anybody.
Do NOT think that God can only use pious and seemingly spiritual believers. God also can make use of ordinary people. God can also make use of "bad" people. Depending on the task, God could be making use of anybody to serve His purpose.
When Mordecai first requested her to appeal to the King, Esther was fearful and afraid to see the King without being summoned, afraid to lose her life. When Mordecai requested her the second time, deliberating the 4 facts including God's purpose for Esther to become the Queen, she had become daring, and ready to pay the price of death for going to see the King without being summoned. Noted that she was still fearful although willing and ready to die. (Following the law was important in Susa. Queen Vashti was divorced/demoted because she refused to follow the King's instruction. Furthermore, Queen Esther seemed to be a submissive and obedient person. She would follow the law, hence, fearful to see the King without being summoned, because such was the rule.)
Queen Esther wanted a great fasting (3 days, 3 nights, no eating nor drinking). She wanted the Jews seriously cry out to God for His hand, for God to help Esther in effectively appealing to the King to cancel the edict/decree for the one-day destruction of Jews throughout the entire kingdom/empire.
Application: Pray and fast. If we need God's hand in certain crucial situation, we should pray and fast.
God will give us the wisdom to plan and decide on the wise course of actions in the crucial situation.
17 So Mordecai went away and carried out all of Esther’s instructions. (NIV)
17 Mor′decai then went away and did everything as Esther had ordered him. (RSV)
17 So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him. (KJV)
Mordecai carried out the actions according to Esther's instruction/order/command. Mordecai, although the guardian or foster father, listened and obeyed Esther's instruction.
Any wise instruction should be obeyed. Any wise advice should be considered and accepted.
God can work in wondrous ways, in surprising manner. God could work through anybody.
Do NOT think that God can only use pious and seemingly spiritual believers. God also can make use of ordinary people. God can also make use of "bad" people. Depending on the task, God could be making use of anybody to serve His purpose.
Sat, Dec 28, 2013.
Michael Yeap
NIV: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=esther%204&version=NIV
RSV: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=esther%204&version=RSV
KJV: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=esther4&version=KJV
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