As we finished up Nehemiah, we were deeply convicted by what we do on Sundays. We were also deeply convicted in our hearts as to how our hearts are pulled in so many directions but we forget to rest in the Lord and place the Lord first on the sabbath.

We began reading Esther today. Interesting beginning, we noticed how favor was moved from Vashti to Esther. We also liked the name Hadassah, though we looked it up some years back to find out it meant some kind of plant.

We wondered whether it was a huge crime that Vashti committed by not submitting to her drunken husband his drunken guests. It might not have been wise, but she did it in front of all the other women, disrespecting his authority. It is seen that King Xerxes had authority over his whole kingdom… except his wife. This is indeed a deep insult to his power and reputation.

We always remember the words of Esther as she is confronted with the destruction of the Jews and her personal destruction in approaching the king without being summoned.

Esther 4:12-16
12 When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, 13 he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?”

15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”

Mordecai’s words were both convicting and true. God will not let his people perish because he had made a covenant with them. It was also true that if Esther didn’t step up, someone else would. She is placed in such a situation is not a coincidence or by chance or by accident… she was the most beautiful and received the most favor because it was God who had ordained it, “for such a time as this.” This section of Esther always brought joy to my heart… especially tonight as my wife read it aloud.