Esther

Esther 4: For such a time as this

Begin in prayer

Before we hear how Esther decides to go in to the king, let us ask the LORD for the trust that Esther needed. Ask Him to show us Christ, who went all the way to death for His people.

When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.

Psalm 56:3

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You will rescue Your people, and lead us to Jesus, who gave His life for His own. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Mordecai tears his clothes and puts on sackcloth and ashes, and in every province the Jews mourn, fast and weep. Esther sends Hathach to ask what is wrong, and Mordecai urges her to go in to the king and plead for her people. Esther answers that anyone who goes in to the king uncalled is put to death, unless the king holds out the golden scepter. Mordecai replies that deliverance will come to the Jews from another place. He asks whether she has come to the kingdom for such a time as this. Esther asks the Jews to fast for three days, and she says she will go in to the king, and if she perishes, she perishes.

As you read Esther 4, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God will rescue His people, and Esther may be in the palace for such a time as this.

Haman's letter has been published, and Mordecai tears his clothes and wears sackcloth and ashes, which are signs of mourning (verse 1). He cries loudly in the city and stops at the king's gate, because no one may enter it wearing sackcloth (verses 1 and 2). Esther sends Hathach to ask why Mordecai mourns, and Mordecai urges her to plead for her people (verses 5 to 8). She answers that anyone who goes in uncalled is put to death, unless the king holds out the golden scepter (verse 11). She has not been called for thirty days. Mordecai says that deliverance will come to the Jews from another place, and he does not name God (verse 14). Yet he is sure that God's people will not be wiped out. He asks whether Esther has come to the kingdom for such a time as this (verse 14). God keeps His people alive so that Christ the promised Savior can come from them (Romans 9 verse 5).

How does Esther 4 show us that God will rescue His people, and that Esther may be in the palace for such a time as this?

Esther is afraid to go in, because the law says death.

Everyone in the provinces knows that anyone who goes in to the king uncalled is put to death (verse 11). Only the golden scepter can save such a person. Esther has not been called for thirty days, so she has no sign that the king will welcome her. Her fear is real, and the chapter does not hide it.

God's people will be rescued, whatever Esther chooses.

Mordecai says deliverance will come from another place, and Esther and her father's house will perish if she stays silent (verse 14). He speaks like a man who knows the Jews will not be wiped out, though he does not name God. Then he asks whether Esther came to the kingdom for such a time as this. The God who rules the lot may have put her where she is for this time.

Esther goes in for her people, and Jesus went all the way for His.

Esther asks the Jews to fast three days, and she says she will go in. If she perishes, she perishes (verse 16). She does not know whether she will live. Jesus knew the whole cost, and He went to the cross willingly for His sheep (John 10 verse 11). On the third day He rose alive.

Memorise

Who knows if you haven’t come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

Esther 4:14

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, who can I trust when I am afraid, and who saves me from my sin?

Esther said, “if I perish, I perish”, and she went in to the king for her people. She did not know whether the golden scepter would be held out. Her people fasted for three days, and she took the risk for them.

Jesus went further. He knew every step of the road to the cross, and He walked it for His people. There He bore the sin of those who trust Him, and He paid the whole debt. Death could not keep Him, and He rose alive. Because of Him, no one who trusts Him needs to wait outside the door of God.

So come to Him. Turn from your sin and put your trust in Jesus. He promises forgiveness to all who come, and He will not leave them outside.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God will rescue His people, and that Jesus gave His life to bring sinners to God. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart. Verse 11 speaks of death for anyone who comes in uncalled, so please explain it in your own words.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for keeping His people alive, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so invite each one to say a short prayer if they want to.

Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.

Isaiah 41:10

Lord God, thank You for Your promise to keep Your people. Thank You that Jesus went all the way to the cross. Please help each child to turn from sin and trust Him, and give our family courage to do right this week. Amen.