Sunday 2021.11.07
This morning I read the first four chapters of the Book of Esther and two chapters from the Acts of the Apostles.
In Esther chapter 2, we read that Hadassah was an orphan girl who lost her parents when she was small. She was brought up by her cousin Mordecai ben Jair ben Shimei ben Kish of the tribe of Benjamin.
Hadassah was also called Esther.
When Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians, Mordecai and Esther were taken captive to Babylon, and after it was conquered by the Persians, they lived in the citadel of Susa during the reign of King Xerxes.
Subsequently, Esther was chosen by King Xerxes to replace the deposed Queen Vashti. At last, the poor Jewish orphan girl Hadassah has risen to become Queen Esther of the Persian Empire. It must have been a dream come true.
One day, the dream turned into a nightmare.
An evil nobleman called Haman son of Hamedatha was offended by Mordecai's refusal to kneel and bow to him at the King's gate. Haman convinced the King to issue an edict on the First Month 13th day (one day before Passover of the Jews) to all provinces in the empire that all Jews, young and old, men, women, and children, must be killed on the Twelfth month 13th day. That year was the Twelfth Year of the reign of King Xerxes.
Mordecai desperately urged Queen Esther to appeal to King Xerxes to withdraw this evil edict. However, King Xerxes has not summoned Queen Esther to see him for the past thirty days and by law, anyone who appeared in the presence of the King without his order would be executed if the King was not pleased.
Queen Esther was in great danger.
If she sought an audience with the King, she might die. If she didn't, all the Jews in exile in the empire would die. In Esther chapter four verse fifteen, we read:
- Esther 4:15 - 16 NIV New International Version
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15Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai:
16‘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.’
Brothers and Sisters in the Anointed One. Let us put our trust in God Almighty just like Queen Esther did. If necessary, let us fast and pray when facing difficult, and even dangerous circumstances.
