"Go and assemble all the Jews who can be found in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day, and I and my maidens will fast as you do. After that, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish!" Go, gather together all the Jews who are in SusaThis phrase begins with a command, "Go," which indicates urgency and action. Esther is instructing Mordecai to "gather together all the Jews," emphasizing the importance of unity and collective action in times of crisis. The location, "Susa," was the capital of the Persian Empire, highlighting the centrality and significance of the events taking place. Historically, Susa was a major city, and its mention underscores the widespread impact of the decree against the Jews. and fast for me
Fasting in the Jewish tradition is a spiritual discipline that involves abstaining from food and drink to seek divine intervention. Esther's request for the Jews to "fast for me" indicates her reliance on spiritual support and the power of communal prayer. This act of fasting is a demonstration of humility and dependence on God, seeking His favor and guidance in a dire situation. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day
The specific instruction to abstain from food and drink "for three days, night or day" underscores the seriousness and intensity of the situation. The number three often symbolizes completeness and divine intervention in the Bible. This period of fasting is a complete dedication to seeking God's mercy and intervention, reflecting the gravity of the threat facing the Jewish people. I and my maidens will fast as you do
Esther's commitment to join in the fast with her maidens shows her solidarity with her people and her personal dedication to the cause. It highlights her leadership and willingness to share in the sacrifices required. This unity in fasting signifies a collective appeal to God, demonstrating that Esther is not asking others to do what she herself is not willing to undertake. After that, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law
Esther's resolve to "go to the king" despite it being "against the law" reveals her courage and willingness to risk her life for her people. The Persian law prohibited anyone from approaching the king unsummoned, under penalty of death. Esther's decision to approach the king illustrates her faith and determination, trusting in God's providence over her own safety. And if I perish, I perish!
This statement is a powerful declaration of Esther's faith and resolve. It reflects her acceptance of the potential consequences of her actions, demonstrating a selfless commitment to her people. The phrase "if I perish, I perish" conveys a deep trust in God's sovereignty, acknowledging that her life is in His hands. It is an expression of ultimate surrender and courage, inspiring believers to act with faith and conviction even in the face of great risk. Persons / Places / Events 1. EstherA Jewish queen of Persia who is faced with the challenge of saving her people from destruction. Her courage and faith are central to this passage. 2. MordecaiEsther's cousin and guardian, who informs her of Haman's plot to annihilate the Jews and urges her to intervene with the king. 3. SusaThe capital of the Persian Empire where the events of the Book of Esther take place. It is the location where the Jews are called to fast. 4. The King (Ahasuerus/Xerxes)The Persian king whom Esther must approach without being summoned, risking her life in doing so. 5. FastingA spiritual discipline involving abstaining from food and drink, used here as a means of seeking divine intervention and guidance. Teaching Points The Power of Fasting and PrayerFasting is a powerful spiritual discipline that aligns our hearts with God's will and invites His intervention in dire circumstances. Courage in the Face of DangerEsther's willingness to risk her life teaches us about the importance of courage and faith when standing up for righteousness. Community Support in Times of CrisisEsther's call for communal fasting highlights the strength found in collective prayer and support during challenging times. Obedience Over ComfortEsther's decision to approach the king, despite the risk, underscores the importance of obedience to God's call over personal safety and comfort. Trusting God's SovereigntyEsther's statement, "If I perish, I perish," reflects a deep trust in God's sovereignty and plan, regardless of the outcome. Bible Study Questions 1. What does Esther's request for fasting reveal about the role of spiritual disciplines in seeking God's guidance and intervention? 2. How does Esther's courage inspire you to take bold steps in your own life, especially when facing difficult or risky situations? 3. In what ways can you engage your community in prayer and fasting during times of personal or communal crisis? 4. How does Esther's account encourage you to prioritize obedience to God over personal comfort or safety? 5. Reflect on a time when you had to trust in God's sovereignty despite uncertain outcomes. How did that experience shape your faith? Connections to Other Scriptures Daniel 9:3Daniel also turns to fasting and prayer in a time of crisis, seeking God's mercy and intervention for his people. Joel 2:12-13The call to return to God with fasting, weeping, and mourning, emphasizing repentance and seeking God's favor. Matthew 4:2Jesus fasts for forty days and nights, demonstrating reliance on God and preparation for His ministry. People Esther, Haman, Hatach, MordecaiPlaces SusaTopics Assemble, Behalf, Death, Drink, Eat, Fast, Fate, Gather, Hold, Jews, Law, Likewise, Maidens, Maids, Manner, Perish, Perished, Present, Shushan, Susa, Taking, Though, Thus, WomenDictionary of Bible Themes Esther 4:16 4438 eating
8430 fasting, nature of
8475 self-denial
8610 prayer, asking God Esther 4:12-17 5978 warning Esther 4:14-16 8481 self-sacrifice Esther 4:15-16 5745 women 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 4:16 NIVEsther 4:16 NLTEsther 4:16 ESVEsther 4:16 NASBEsther 4:16 KJV
Esther 4:16 Commentaries
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