he sent back to her this reply: "Do not imagine that because you are in the king's palace you alone will escape the fate of all the Jews. he sent back to Esther this replyThis phrase indicates a communication from Mordecai to Esther, highlighting the urgency and gravity of the situation. The Hebrew root for "sent back" (שָׁלַח, shalach) implies a deliberate and purposeful action. Mordecai's message is not casual; it is a critical response to Esther's initial hesitation. Historically, this reflects the practice of sending messages through trusted intermediaries, emphasizing the importance of the message being conveyed accurately and with authority. Do not imagine
The Hebrew word for "imagine" (דָּמָה, damah) can also mean to think or suppose. Mordecai is urging Esther to reconsider any false sense of security she might have. This phrase serves as a wake-up call, challenging Esther to confront the reality of her situation. It is a reminder that self-deception can be dangerous, especially when it leads to inaction in the face of injustice. that you in the king’s palace
This phrase underscores Esther's unique position of influence and privilege. The "king's palace" (בֵּית הַמֶּלֶךְ, beit hamelech) is not just a physical location but a symbol of power and authority. Esther's presence there is providential, suggesting that her role is divinely orchestrated. Historically, the Persian palace was a place of opulence and political maneuvering, and Esther's access to it is both a blessing and a responsibility. can escape
The Hebrew root for "escape" (מָלַט, malat) conveys the idea of slipping away or being delivered. Mordecai is making it clear that physical proximity to power does not guarantee safety. This serves as a theological reminder that true deliverance comes from God, not human institutions. It challenges believers to trust in divine providence rather than earthly securities. any more than all the other Jews
This phrase connects Esther's fate with that of her people, emphasizing solidarity and shared destiny. The mention of "all the other Jews" (כָּל הַיְּהוּדִים, kol hayehudim) highlights the collective identity and communal responsibility of the Jewish people. Historically, this reflects the precarious position of Jews in the Persian Empire, often subject to the whims of rulers. Scripturally, it underscores the theme of unity and the importance of standing together in times of crisis. Persons / Places / Events 1. MordecaiA Jew in Susa, cousin and adoptive father of Esther, who plays a crucial role in urging Esther to act on behalf of her people. 2. EstherA Jewish queen of Persia, who is faced with the challenge of intervening with King Xerxes to save her people from destruction. 3. King Xerxes (Ahasuerus)The Persian king during whose reign the events of the Book of Esther take place. 4. SusaThe capital of the Persian Empire, where the events of the Book of Esther occur. 5. The Decree Against the JewsA royal edict, influenced by Haman, calling for the annihilation of the Jewish people throughout the Persian Empire. Teaching Points Divine ProvidenceRecognize God's hand in orchestrating events for His purposes, even when His name is not explicitly mentioned. Courage in CrisisLike Esther, we are called to act with courage and faith when faced with difficult situations. Responsibility and InfluenceUnderstand the responsibility that comes with positions of influence and the importance of using them for God's glory. Intercession and AdvocacyEmulate Esther's role as an intercessor, standing in the gap for others in prayer and action. Trust in God's SovereigntyTrust that God is in control, even when circumstances seem dire, and that He can use anyone to fulfill His plans. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Mordecai's message to Esther challenge her understanding of her role and responsibility as queen? 2. In what ways can we see God's providence at work in the events leading up to Esther's decision to approach the king? 3. How can Esther's courage inspire us to take bold steps of faith in our own lives? 4. What are some modern-day situations where Christians might need to use their influence to advocate for justice or righteousness? 5. How can we apply the principle of trusting in God's sovereignty when facing personal or communal crises today? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 12:3God's promise to Abraham that He will bless those who bless him and curse those who curse him, highlighting the divine protection over the Jewish people. Romans 8:28The assurance that God works all things for the good of those who love Him, which can be seen in how God orchestrates events in Esther for the deliverance of His people. Daniel 3:16-18The faith and courage of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the face of danger, similar to Esther's situation. Proverbs 21:1The heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord, illustrating God's sovereignty over the decisions of rulers, as seen in Esther's account. Philippians 4:13The empowerment to do all things through Christ, paralleling Esther's need for strength and courage to approach the king. People Esther, Haman, Hatach, MordecaiPlaces SusaTopics Alone, Bade, Commanded, Delivered, Escape, Esther, Fate, Heart, Idea, Imagine, Jews, King's, Mordecai, Mor'decai, Palace, Reply, Return, Safe, Soul, Speaketh, ThyselfDictionary of Bible Themes Esther 4:12-14 7505 Jews, the Esther 4:12-17 5978 warning Library Mordecai and Esther
'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?'--ESTHER iv. 14. All Christians are agreed in holding the principles which underlie our missionary operations. They all believe that the world is a fallen world, that without Christ the fallen world is a lost world, that the preaching …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureWatkinson -- the Transfigured Sackcloth
William L. Watkinson, Wesleyan minister, was born at Hull, 1838, was educated privately and rose to eminence as a preacher and writer. The Rev. William Durban calls him "The classic preacher of British Methodism." "He ranks," says Dr. Durban, "with Dr. Dallinger and the Rev. Thomas Gunn Selby as the three most learned and refined of living preachers in the English Methodist pulpit. Dr. Watkinson is famous for the glittering illustrations which adorn his style. These are for the most part gathered …
Grenville Kleiser—The world's great sermons, Volume 8 Appeal to the Christian Women of the South
BY A.E. GRIMKE. "Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not within thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house more than all the Jews. 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. And Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer:--and so will I go in unto the king, …
Angelina Emily Grimke—An Appeal to the Christian Women of the South Meditations for Household Piety.
1. If thou be called to the government of a family, thou must not hold it sufficient to serve God and live uprightly in thy own person, unless thou cause all under thy charge to do the same with thee. For the performance of this duty God was so well pleased with Abraham, that he would not hide from him his counsel: "For," saith God, "I know him that he will command his sons and his household after him that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and judgment, that the Lord may bring upon …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety A Case of Conscience Resolved
WHETHER, WHERE A CHURCH OF CHRIST IS SITUATE, IT IS THE DUTY OF THE WOMEN OF THAT CONGREGATION, ORDINARILY, AND BY APPOINTMENT, TO SEPARATE THEMSELVES FROM THEIR BRETHREN, AND SO TO ASSEMBLE TOGETHER, TO PERFORM SOME PARTS OF DIVINE WORSHIP, AS PRAYER, ETC., WITHOUT THEIR MEN? AND THE ARGUMENTS MADE USE OF FOR THAT PRACTICE, EXAMINED. BY JOHN BUNYAN. EDITOR'S ADVERTISEMENT. This exceedingly rare tract was first published in 1683, and was not reprinted, either separately, or in any edition of Bunyan's …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Prevailing Prayer.
Text.--The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.--James v. 16. THE last lecture referred principally to the confession of sin. To-night my remarks will be chiefly confined to the subject of intercession, or prayer. There are two kinds of means requisite to promote a revival; one to influence men, the other to influence God. The truth is employed to influence men, and prayer to move God. When I speak of moving God, I do not mean that God's mind is changed by prayer, or that his …
Charles Grandison Finney—Lectures on Revivals of Religion Of the Discipline of the Church, and Its Principal Use in Censures and Excommunication.
1. Of the power of the keys, or the common discipline of the Church. Necessity and very great utility of this discipline. 2. Its various degrees. 1. Private admonition. 2. Rebukes before witnesses. 3. Excommunication. 3. Different degrees of delinquency. Modes of procedure in both kinds of chastisement. 4. Delicts to be distinguished from flagitious wickedness. The last to be more severely punished. 5. Ends of this discipline. 1. That the wicked may not, by being admitted to the Lord's Table, put …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion Of the Public Fast.
A public fast is when, by the authority of the magistrate (Jonah iii. 7; 2 Chron. xx. 3; Ezra viii. 21), either the whole church within his dominion, or some special congregation, whom it concerneth, assemble themselves together, to perform the fore-mentioned duties of humiliation; either for the removing of some public calamity threatened or already inflicted upon them, as the sword, invasion, famine, pestilence, or other fearful sickness (1 Sam. vii. 5, 6; Joel ii. 15; 2 Chron. xx.; Jonah iii. …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Of a Private Fast.
That we may rightly perform a private fast, four things are to be observed:--First, The author; Secondly, The time and occasion; Thirdly, The manner; Fourthly, The ends of private fasting. 1. Of the Author. The first that ordained fasting was God himself in paradise; and it was the first law that God made, in commanding Adam to abstain from eating the forbidden fruit. God would not pronounce nor write his law without fasting (Lev. xxiii), and in his law commands all his people to fast. So does our …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety From his Entrance on the Ministry in 1815, to his Commission to Reside in Germany in 1820
1815.--After the long season of depression through which John Yeardley passed, as described in the last chapter, the new year of 1815 dawned with brightness upon his mind. He now at length saw his spiritual bonds loosed; and the extracts which follow describe his first offerings in the ministry in a simple and affecting manner. 1 mo. 5.--The subject of the prophet's going down to the potter's house opened so clearly on my mind in meeting this morning that I thought I could almost have publicly …
John Yeardley—Memoir and Diary of John Yeardley, Minister of the Gospel Sign Seekers, and the Enthusiast Reproved.
(Galilee on the Same Day as the Last Section.) ^A Matt. XII. 38-45; ^C Luke XI. 24-36. ^c 29 And when the multitudes were gathering together unto him, ^a 38 Then certain of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, Teacher, we would see a sign from thee. [Having been severely rebuked by Jesus, it is likely that the scribes and Pharisees asked for a sign that they might appear to the multitude more fair-minded and open to conviction than Jesus had represented them to be. Jesus had just wrought …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Esther
The spirit of the book of Esther is anything but attractive. It is never quoted or referred to by Jesus or His apostles, and it is a satisfaction to think that in very early times, and even among Jewish scholars, its right to a place in the canon was hotly contested. Its aggressive fanaticism and fierce hatred of all that lay outside of Judaism were felt by the finer spirits to be false to the more generous instincts that lay at the heart of the Hebrew religion; but by virtue of its very intensity …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Esther 4:13 NIVEsther 4:13 NLTEsther 4:13 ESVEsther 4:13 NASBEsther 4:13 KJV
Esther 4:13 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
