"...And if I perish, I perish"
The
Jewish population was stunned as the news broke through out the land,
as the execution order for all the Jews was decreed. There is always
sadness where evil regins. Mordecai put on mourner's garb and lamented
through the city until he came to the king's gate, beyond which he could
not go because sackcloth was not allowed in his majesty's presence. He
knew that he was the main object of Haman's hatred. The fate awaiting
his nation had been unwittingly prompted by him.
Since custom
forbade Ester to leave her confinement in the palace, she sent a servant
to take some garments to clothe Mordecai so that he might not be seen
in sackcloth by the king and lose his life. But Mordecai refused to
disguise his anguish. When Hathach, Ester's personal servant came to
find out why he continued in mourning, Mordecai told him the whole
story.
Esther responded to Mordecai by reminding him that it was a
capital offense to appear before the king uninvited, unless he spared
the intruder's life by extending the golden scepter. She told of a
futher complication which would make such action doubly dangerous: She
had not been summoned by Ahasuerus for thirty days, indicating that she
may have somehow incurred his displeasure.
Making her decision, Esther instructed all the Jews to fast with her for three days. Then she would go before the king.
“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 attendants 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.”
"Although my
danger be great and evident, considering the expressness of the law, and
the uncertainty of the king's mind, and the severity which he showed to
my predecessor, Vashti, yet rather than neglect my duty to God and to
His people, I will go to the king and cast myself cheerfully and
resolutely upon God's providence for my safety and success."
The
Christian's attitude in difficult and trying circumstances should not be
one of fatalism but of optimism, especially when it comes to
approaching the heavenly throne for grace to help in time of need. We
have bold and confidant access; the sceptor of God's forgiveness has
been stretched out to us at Calvary.
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