Mordecai also gave Hathach a copy of the written decree issued in Susa for the destruction of the Jews, to show and explain to Esther, urging her to approach the king, implore his favor, and plead before him for her people. Mordecai also gave Hathach a copy of the written decreeThe phrase highlights Mordecai's strategic and proactive approach. The Hebrew root for "copy" (פַּתְשֶׁגֶן, pathegen) suggests an official document, underscoring the gravity of the situation. Mordecai's action reflects his deep concern and responsibility for his people, emphasizing the importance of being informed and prepared in times of crisis. Historically, the Persian Empire was known for its bureaucratic efficiency, and written decrees were a common method of communication, ensuring that the message was clear and authoritative. issued in Susa for their destruction
"Susa" was one of the principal cities of the Persian Empire, serving as a royal capital. The decree's issuance in such a significant location underscores the widespread and official nature of the threat against the Jews. The word "destruction" (הַשְׁמָדָה, hashmadah) conveys total annihilation, reflecting the severity of Haman's plot. This historical context reminds us of the recurring theme of existential threats faced by the Jewish people throughout history and God's providential care in delivering them. to show to Esther and explain it to her
Mordecai's intention to "show" and "explain" the decree to Esther indicates the necessity of understanding and awareness. The Hebrew word for "explain" (בָּאַר, ba'ar) implies making something clear or plain. Mordecai recognizes Esther's unique position and influence, emphasizing the importance of using one's God-given position and resources for the greater good. This reflects the biblical principle of stewardship and the call to act justly and courageously. He told him to instruct her to go into the king’s presence
The phrase "instruct her" (צִוָּה, tzivah) carries the weight of a command, highlighting the urgency and necessity of Esther's intervention. Entering "the king’s presence" was a perilous act, as Persian law prohibited approaching the king unsummoned, under penalty of death. This underscores Esther's bravery and the theme of sacrificial leadership. It serves as a reminder of the courage required to stand for righteousness, even at great personal risk. to beg for mercy and plead before him for her people
The dual actions of "beg for mercy" and "plead" (חָנַן, chanan and בָּקַשׁ, baqash) emphasize the desperation and earnestness of the situation. These terms reflect a posture of humility and supplication, recognizing the king's authority while appealing to his compassion. This highlights the biblical theme of intercession, where individuals stand in the gap for others, seeking divine intervention and favor. It serves as an inspirational call to prayer and advocacy, trusting in God's sovereignty and justice. Persons / Places / Events 1. MordecaiA Jew living in Susa, the cousin and guardian of Esther. He is a key figure in the Jewish community and plays a crucial role in the events of the Book of Esther. 2. HathachA eunuch assigned to attend to Queen Esther. He acts as a messenger between Mordecai and Esther. 3. EstherThe Jewish queen of Persia, married to King Xerxes (Ahasuerus). She is in a unique position to influence the king and save her people. 4. SusaThe capital of the Persian Empire, where the events of the Book of Esther take place. It is the location of the king's palace and the issuance of the decree against the Jews. 5. The DecreeAn edict issued by Haman, the king's advisor, calling for the destruction of all Jews in the Persian Empire. This decree sets the stage for the crisis that Esther must address. Teaching Points Courage in CrisisEsther's account teaches us the importance of courage and taking action in times of crisis. We are called to stand up for what is right, even when it is risky. Divine ProvidenceThe unseen hand of God is at work in the lives of His people. We can trust that God is in control, even when circumstances seem dire. IntercessionLike Esther, we are called to intercede for others. Prayer and advocacy are powerful tools in bringing about change and seeking God's mercy. Obedience and FaithMordecai's instruction to Esther highlights the importance of obedience and faith. We must be willing to follow God's leading, even when the path is uncertain. Using Our InfluenceGod places us in specific positions for a purpose. We should use our influence and resources to further His kingdom and help those in need. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Mordecai's role in Esther 4:8 demonstrate the importance of community and leadership in times of crisis? 2. In what ways can Esther's response to Mordecai's instruction inspire us to act courageously in our own lives? 3. How does the concept of divine providence in Esther's account encourage us to trust God in difficult situations? 4. What are some practical ways we can intercede for others in our daily lives, following Esther's example? 5. How can we identify and use the positions of influence God has given us to make a positive impact in our communities? Connections to Other Scriptures Daniel 6Similar to Esther, Daniel finds himself in a position where he must rely on God to intervene in a decree that threatens his life. Both accounts highlight the theme of divine providence and courage in the face of unjust laws. Nehemiah 1Nehemiah, like Esther, is in a position of influence in a foreign court and uses his position to intercede for his people, demonstrating the power of prayer and action. Romans 8:28This verse speaks to God's ability to work all things for good for those who love Him, a theme evident in Esther's account as God orchestrates events for the deliverance of His people. People Esther, Haman, Hatach, MordecaiPlaces SusaTopics Annihilation, Beg, Charge, Clear, Copy, Declare, Decree, Destroy, Destruction, Edict, Entreat, Esther, Explain, Favor, Implore, Inform, Issued, King's, Law, Lay, Making, Mercy, Mor'decai, Order, Ordering, Plead, Prayer, Presence, Published, Request, Requesting, Seek, Shew, Shushan, Supplication, Susa, Text, Urge, Writing, WrittenDictionary of Bible Themes Esther 4:8 5230 beggars
8300 love, and the world Esther 4:4-11 5309 eunuchs 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 4:8 NIVEsther 4:8 NLTEsther 4:8 ESVEsther 4:8 NASBEsther 4:8 KJV
Esther 4:8 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
