Esther 4:17B
Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for such a time as this?
Esther 4:1–6
When Mordecai learned about all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on burlap and ashes, and went out into the city, crying with a loud and bitter wail. He went as far as the gate of the palace, for no one was allowed to enter the palace gate while wearing clothes of mourning. And as news of the king’s decree reached all the provinces, there was great mourning among the Jews. They fasted, wept, and wailed, and many people lay in burlap and ashes. [The author describes the visible signs of mourning, even including that they fasted, but there is no mention of prayer. This is significant because God’s people were known to cry out to him in times of great anguish. Just like God is not mentioned in this book, any mention of his people acknowledging him is omitted as well.]
When Queen Esther’s maids and eunuchs came and told her about Mordecai, she was deeply distressed. She sent clothing to him to replace the burlap, but he refused it. Then Esther sent for Hathach, one of the king’s eunuchs who had been appointed as her attendant. She ordered him to go to Mordecai and find out what was troubling him and why he was in mourning. So Hathach went out to Mordecai in the square in front of the palace gate.
RESPONSE
- How does Esther react to the news of the decree to annihilate the Jews? What emotions do you think she might be experiencing?
- The Jewish people go into intense mourning following Haman’s decree. When you receive scary or bad news, how are you tempted to react?