Esther (Greek) 4:15-27: a reflection

15And Esther sent the messenger who came to her to Mordecai, saying, 16“Go and assemble the Jews that are in Susa, and all of you fast for me. Don’t eat or drink for three days, night and day. My maidens and I will also fast. Then I will go in to the king contrary to the law, even if I must die.” 17So Mordecai went and did all that Esther commanded him. 18[He prayed to the Lord, making mention of all the works of the Lord. 19He said, “Lord God, you are king ruling over all, for all things are in your power, and there is no one who can oppose you in your purpose to save Israel; 20for you have made the sky and the earth and every wonderful thing under the sky. 21You are Lord of all, and there is no one who can resist you, Lord. 22You know all things. You know, Lord, that it is not in insolence, nor arrogance, nor love of glory, that I have done this, to refuse to bow down to the arrogant Haman. 23For I would gladly have kissed the soles of his feet for the safety of Israel. 24But I have done this that I might not set the glory of man above the glory of God. I will not worship anyone except you, my Lord, and I will not do these things in arrogance. 25And now, O Lord God, the King, the God of Abraham, spare your people, for our enemies are planning our destruction, and they have desired to destroy your ancient inheritance. 26Do not overlook your people, whom you have redeemed for yourself out of the land of Egypt. 27Listen to my prayer. Have mercy on your inheritance and turn our mourning into gladness, that we may live and sing praise to your name, O Lord. Don’t utterly destroy the mouth of those who praise you, O Lord.”

Esther faces a moment that could cost her life. To approach the king unbidden was to risk death, yet her people's survival hangs on it. She makes her decision with courage and dependence: gather the Jews to fast for me, she says, three days and nights; I and my maids will fast too. Then I will go to the king, against the law, and if I perish, I perish. Before she acts, she calls for prayer and fasting, casting herself and her people on God.

The Greek version preserves Mordecai's prayer, and it is a model of humble dependence. He appeals to God as the King over all, in whose hand are all things, whom no one can resist. He insists that his earlier refusal to bow to Haman was not pride or love of glory but a refusal to set the honor of any man above the glory of God. And he pleads for God to spare his people, to turn their mourning into gladness. Both Esther and Mordecai face the crisis not by scheming alone but by prayer.

Esther's example joins courage with dependence on God. She does not presume on her own cleverness or position; she prepares to act boldly, but only after casting herself and her people on God through prayer and fasting. When you face a hard and risky decision, hold these together as she did: real courage to do what must be done, and humble dependence on God for the outcome. Pray first, gather others to pray, and then go forward, entrusting the result to the King over all.

Lord, Esther faced death for her people with courage and with prayer, casting herself on you before she acted. When I face a hard and risky decision, teach me to join her courage with her dependence. Help me to pray first, to gather others to pray, and then to go forward boldly, entrusting the outcome to you, the King over all, in whose hand are all things. Amen.