Esther (Greek) 4:9-14: a reflection

9So Hathach went in and told her all these words. 10Esther said to Hathach, “Go to Mordecai, and say, 11‘All the nations of the empire know that any man or woman who goes in to the king into the inner court without being called, that person must die, unless the king stretches out his golden sceptre; then he shall live. I haven’t been called to go into the king for thirty days.’” 12So Hathach reported to Mordecai all the words of Esther. 13Then Mordecai said to Hathach, “Go, and say to her, ‘Esther, don’t say to yourself that you alone will escape in the kingdom, more than all the other Jews. 14For if you keep quiet on this occasion, help and protection will come to the Jews from another place; but you and your father’s house will perish. Who knows if you have been made queen for this occasion?’”

Queen Esther is in a position to plead for her people, who face destruction, but to approach the king uninvited could cost her life. She hesitates. And her cousin Mordecai sends her a challenge that has echoed ever since: Do not think that in the king's palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. And then: Who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this? Perhaps, Mordecai suggests, God has placed Esther where she is precisely for this moment.

Notice the two things Mordecai puts to Esther. First, that her position would not exempt her from her people's fate; she could not simply stay safe and silent. And second, the possibility that her whole position had been given for this very purpose: who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this? Her place, her influence, her moment, might be no accident, but God's provision for a purpose she must now rise to.

That challenge speaks to us as well. God places us where we are, with the particular positions, influence, relationships, and opportunities we have, and there come moments when we are uniquely placed to act, to speak, to help, and it would be easier to stay safe and silent. But perhaps we have come to our place for such a time as this. When you find yourself positioned to make a difference, and tempted to stay safe and silent, consider that God may have placed you there for just such a moment. Do not assume your position is an accident, or that staying silent will keep you safe; rise to the moment God has placed you in, and use where he has put you for the purpose he may have intended. Who knows whether you have come to your place for such a time as this?

Lord, when Esther hesitated to risk herself for her people, Mordecai challenged her that her position would not exempt her, and that perhaps she had come to the kingdom for such a time as this. Let that challenge reach me. You place me where I am, with the particular positions, influence, relationships, and opportunities I have, and there come moments when I am uniquely placed to act, to speak, to help, and it would be easier to stay safe and silent. But perhaps I have come to my place for such a time as this. When I find myself positioned to make a difference, and tempted to stay safe and silent, help me consider that you may have placed me there for just such a moment. Keep me from assuming my position is an accident, or that silence will keep me safe. Help me rise to the moment you have placed me in, and use where you have put me for your purpose. Give me Esther's courage to act for such a time as this.