Esther (Greek) 4:1-8: a reflection

1But Mordecai, having perceived what was done, tore his garments, put on sackcloth, and sprinkled dust upon himself. Having rushed forth through the open street of the city, he cried with a loud voice, “A nation that has done no wrong is going to be destroyed!” 2He came to the king’s gate, and stood; for it was not lawful for him to enter into the palace wearing sackcloth and ashes. 3And in every province where the letters were published, there was crying, lamentation, and great mourning on the part of the Jews. They wore sackcloth and ashes. 4The queen’s maids and chamberlains went in and told her; and when she had heard what was done, she was deeply troubled. She sent clothes to Mordecai to replace his sackcloth, but he refused. 5So Esther called for her chamberlain Hathach, who waited upon her; and she sent to learn the truth from Mordecai. 7Mordecai showed him what was done, and the promise which Haman had made the king of ten thousand talents to be paid into the treasury, that he might destroy the Jews. 8And he gave him the copy of what was published in Susa concerning their destruction to show to Esther; and told him to charge her to go in and entreat the king, and to beg him for the people. “Remember, he said, the days of your humble condition, how you were nursed by my hand; because Haman, who holds the next place to the king, has spoken against us to cause our death. Call upon the Lord, and speak to the king concerning us, to deliver us from death.”

With the Jews facing destruction, Mordecai charges Esther, who is queen, to go in to the king and plead for her people, even though approaching the king unbidden could cost her life. And notice the two things his charge involves: Call upon the Lord, he says, and speak to the king concerning us, to deliver us. She is to pray, and she is to act, using the position God has given her to speak up for her endangered people, at real risk to herself.

Notice what Mordecai calls Esther to: prayer and courageous action together, using her position for others. He does not tell her only to pray, leaving the acting to someone else; nor only to act, in her own strength, without prayer. He calls her to both: to call upon the Lord, and to use her position, at risk to herself, to speak up for her people. Esther had been placed where she was, as queen, for such a time as this; and she was to use that position, with prayer and courage, for the good of others.

That charge speaks to us, who are also placed where we are for a purpose. God has placed each of us in particular positions, relationships, and circumstances; and part of why we are there may be to act for the good of others, even at some risk or cost to ourselves. When you see others in need or danger that you are placed to help, do not hide or hold back; like Esther, call upon the Lord, and then use your position, with prayer and courage, for their good. You may have been placed where you are for such a time as this, to act for others. Do not shrink from using your position for the good of those in need, joining prayer with courageous action, as Mordecai charged Esther. Where God has placed you, use it, with prayer and courage, for the good of others, rather than hiding when you are the one placed to help.

Lord, with the Jews facing destruction, Mordecai charged Esther, the queen, to go in to the king and plead for her people, though it could cost her life, telling her to call upon the Lord, and speak to the king to deliver them; both prayer and courageous action, using her position for others. Let that charge speak to me, who am also placed where I am for a purpose. You have placed me in particular positions, relationships, and circumstances; and part of why I am there may be to act for the good of others, even at some risk or cost to myself. When I see others in need or danger that I am placed to help, keep me from hiding or holding back; like Esther, help me call upon you, and then use my position, with prayer and courage, for their good. I may have been placed where I am for such a time as this, to act for others. Keep me from shrinking from using my position for the good of those in need; help me join prayer with courageous action, as Mordecai charged Esther. Where you have placed me, help me use it, with prayer and courage, for the good of others, Lord, rather than hiding when I am the one placed to help. Help me act for others where you have placed me.