4 When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry;
2 And came even before the king's gate: for none might enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth.
3 And in every province, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.
When the people heard the news of the Jews being slaughtered, there was a great cry. A decree that you are going to lose your life is enough to send you into a panic. Mordecai cried bitterly and loudly.
A law is passed to kill people for nothing. I am sitting here trying to imagine how this sounded in the ears of people who did nothing wrong. What if every unborn child who could read from the womb, got a letter saying, "you are going to die." Having you will prohibit me from living my best life, you will be a distraction to how I want to live, I just don't want to lose my shape, I can't afford you....... this is what I think of when I read the announcement of a massacre of the Jews for absolutely nothing.
4 So Esther's maids and her chamberlains came and told it her. Then was the queen exceedingly grieved; and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from him: but he received
Esther heard of the decision made by her husband and Haman. She became very disturbed; her first move was to send a change of clothes to Mordecai. Sometimes we want to do what the protocol demands. Offering a grieving man a change of clothes is a gesture of consideration like sending an empty greeting card to a person who is in need of finance. Mordecai did not accept the empty gesture. I am sure the garment was a royal purchase, but what is that when you are facing a crisis? Esther is in need of counseling.
5 Then called Esther for Hatach, one of the king's chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and gave him a commandment to Mordecai, to know what it was, and why it was.
Esther did not personally speak to Mordecai's face to face. Esther sent a command to know what and why was this decree was happening. To send a command means, I want to know exactly what you know. Tell me everything you know about this matter.
6 So Hatach went forth to Mordecai unto the street of the city, which was before the king's gate.
7 And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king's treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them.
8 Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people.
9 And Hatach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai.
Mordecai told the servant who was sent by Esther everything, and he also sent a copy of the documentation of the decree sign by her husband for Haman to carry out. Mordecai knew of the money that would be given to the king which shows that he did a thorough investigation of what was going on. It is highly unlikely that the amount of money that will be paid is on the announcement or flyer. Mordecai knew Haman was up to no good. Mordecai did not go to Haman, he went to Esther so that she could go to the king. When we have a problem, consider the source and address the issue.
10 Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordecai;
11 All the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or women, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.
12 And they told to Mordecai Esther's words.
Esther sent her rebuttal to Mordecai. She stated it was against the law for her to approach her husband without his permission. She knew that Mordecai wanted an answer and he wanted it quickly. She explains that she had not seen her husband in thirty days. The law states that if anyone approaches the king without permission, he is subject to lose his life on the spot. Approaching a king without permission was deadly. Kings lived a life that some wanted him dead. So, measures are taken or were put in place to protect his safety, since he is unaware of the nature of your approach toward him. Kill now and ask questions later. No one was exempt from this law.
13 Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews.
14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
Mordecai was commanded to respond. He told Esther, do not think that just because you are queen, you will escape the sword. You either do something and help or our help will come from another or greater source and you yourself and those close to you suffer the consequences of being destroyed. In other words, we will be fine but you are the one that will be in deep trouble if you decide to ignore the cry of your brother. When God places us in positions of influence, it is because your position is needed by those who have little to no influence. God sees the curves in the road and prepares a set of people or a person to steer the vehicle in the direction that will aid or support those in a time of need.
15 Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer,
16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.
Esther replied back to Mordecai. I will do what you have said. If I die, I die. Esther commanded him to tell the people to fast or might I say boycott all food and drinks for three days. Imagine the restaurants, grocery stores, workout gyms, walking shoes, farmers, and so on....feeling the pain of a dropped income for three days? When justice is on notice, we must put our daily needs on the back-burner to get the attention that we are serious and we will be heard. Esther's queen life did not matter, she knows now that her role has a purpose. When we give up our lives to support a right cause, then we understand why we take up space on earth.
17 So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.
Mordecai was heard. Mordecai was given instructions to carry out. Mordecai did what was instructed. When we cry out to God with all of our hearts, God hears us.
My Minute Song
Esther 4
Ain’t no shame in my game
I cry out because of pain
My tears are flowing because I hurt
The cry of death is on the alert
We need to work out a plan
We’re losing life throughout our land
It is about time that things change
Ain’t no way things can stay the same
Don’t ignore me hear me speak
I’m going down on bended knees
When I come up you best believe
It will be all God and none of me
So tell all people its time to pray
Let’s move these tear from off our face
This is our world our only space
We’ve got to do right to keep it safe.
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