Esther Chapter 4

Don’t Just Pray

​Mordecai pleads with Esther to intervene on behalf of the Jews.

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Outline

1-3. Mordecai and the Jews mourn Haman’s decree.
4-17. Mordecai informs Esther of the decree and asks for her intervention.

Reflection

When circumstances become dire, where do you turn?

Lesson from the Text

Mordecai models a Christian response to trials. Upon first hearing Haman’s plan to slaughter the Jews, Mordecai felt shocked. Overwhelmed, he desperately cried out to God, giving up his home and his work to seek God. He could not mourn and pray in his house because sackcloth was forbidden inside the palace; he was temporarily evicted due to his mourning. In that moment of need, he recognized God alone could deliver the Jews and so nothing else mattered except getting ahold of God.

In his desperation, Mordecai trusted God; he knew God’s character and all His promises to defend His people. Though grieving, his faith strengthened him; he knew that one way or another God would save them. Why? Because Mordecai knew the will of God. His prayers and actions were based on God’s character. In an important sense, Mordecai took action to further God’s will and trusted God to do what he could not. Consider James’ words to the early church: prayers go unanswered when you pray outside the will of God; if, however, your prayers align with God’s will, you will receive what you asked for (James 4:2-3). Mordecai was blessed because he knew, prayed for, and performed God’s will.

This is essential; no matter how overwhelmed or sorrowful we may be, we must believe God can save us and desires to protect us from evil. We will never be disappointed when we hold God accountable for a promise He made in Scripture. When we put our faith in Him, we can see Him move in mighty ways to change circumstances.

Mordecai teaches us to not only trust in God’s deliverance but also to look for it. Mordecai did not simply pray; he asked for help. Mordecai understood God uses people to do His will; God used Moses to deliver the Israelites from Egypt, Joshua to judge the sinful nations of Canaan and fulfill His promise to Abraham, David to unite and protect His people, et cetera. Because Mordecai believed God’s promises, he acted on the assumption that God would intervene. Faith coupled with action is far more powerful than wishful thinking. Perhaps this is best illustrated by a quote from a country preacher: “If you’re gonna pray for rain, bring your umbrella.”

By fasting and praying for Esther, Mordecai exemplifies multiple avenues to put our faith into action. He did all that was in his power to deliver the Jews, and then he submitted the rest to divine will. While faith is not a magic spell that forces God’s hand, God is far more likely to act on our behalf if we are sincere in our prayers. Denying ourselves of our bodily needs to focus on our spiritual needs demonstrates commitment. Fasting lets God know you are serious about your prayer being heard. And, more importantly, fasting sharpens your spirit, allowing God to work in your heart and change your desires if you are partially responsible for your dire circumstances.

Consider Job’s trial; because Job sought God during his affliction, God turned his situation around and blessed Job with more than he had before the trial. Furthermore, Jesus promised the Jews at Thyatira who had remained faithful to Him in the middle of false doctrine that He would put on them no other burden (Revelation 2:24). While it is easy to be distracted by our troubles, focus instead on the God who is able to calm the seas and our hearts.

In conclusion, Mordecai teaches us that if we put aside our pride to call out to God, do all we can to help our situation (including fasting and praying), and trust God to do what we cannot, God will honor our prayer. While we may never see our circumstances change as radically as Mordecai’s, we will find God’s blessings of peace, longsuffering, and the ability to endure any hardships on this Earth.

​Verse by Verse Study

1. Sitting in sackcloth and ashes was a way to demonstrate humility and sorrow before God; it was also an outward demonstration of repentance (for examples see Genesis 37:34, II Samuel 3:31, Job 16:15-16, Jonah 3:6-10). Mordecai not only changed his appearance but also verbalized his agony with a loud and bitter cry; he was making a godly ruckus. He was not ashamed to pray publicly.

2. Because of his mourning, Mordecai was removed from the king’s court, although he may have done so himself because he was aware of the law. He sat in front of the gate because his home was inside the palace (Esther 2:5). He was willing to cease his normal life and forfeit his livelihood to seek God; nothing mattered except getting ahold of God.

3. All the Jews joined Mordecai in praying.

4-9. Confined in the royal house, Esther was unaware of the decree. She had no say in the business of the kingdom. Notice Esther could not leave the house of the women; she had to send a chamberlain to Mordecai. Also note that Mordecai called the Jews “her people,” thus negating the earlier command to hide her heritage (Esther 2:10).

10-12. While Esther’s prolonged absence from the king has been interpreted by scholars to mean she had lost favor with Ahasuerus, recall that the king had numerous concubines and rarely called any particular woman (Esther 2:14). Therefore, in her normal routine, Esther barely saw Ahasuerus.

Since she had no private means of meeting the king, Mordecai and Esther chose a peaceful course of action, even though it risked her life. That is, Mordecai and Esther did not rally the Jews to assault the palace and overthrow their oppressors but instead sought a lawful, peaceful solution.

13-17. Here is perhaps the most dramatic example of faith by a Biblical woman. Mary gave away the right to be married and accepted a life of accusations by agreeing to become Christ’s mother, Ruth sacrificed her homeland and relatives to follow Naomi, but Esther threw away her life. She resigned herself to whatever outcome befell her. Such required extreme courage. Much like the three Hebrew children and Daniel, Esther placed her obedience to God above her own life (Daniel 3:16-18, 6:10). She submitted herself to God’s protection, armed with prayer and fasting, before taking an action that jeopardized her life.

Mordecai was well aware of the danger he imposed on Esther, yet he did not hesitate. He recognized that she alone was in a position to alter the circumstances and so appealed to her with a powerful truth: if she had the power to prevent evil and did nothing, God would hold her accountable. Mordecai did all he could to prevent evil by informing Esther, and Esther did all she could by speaking to Ahasuerus. No matter how small or great, it is our responsibility to do all we can to speak against evil.

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