Queen Esther was a Jew selected by King Ahasuerus of Persia to be the new queen after his first queen embarrassed him in front of his entire kingdom (the story is quite interesting). At the time of choosing, Esther hid her heritage from the court. The king did not know she was a Jew, but greatly esteemed her.
The words in this passage were spoken to Esther by her kinsman Mordecai, about one of the King’s men, Haman, who plotted to kill all the Jews in the kingdom. Death appeared imminent for the Jews. Their only hope of survival was Queen Esther, but she feared for her own life…
My friend JAP talks about what Mordecai said to Esther…
Esther 4:14 “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and our father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?”
Words of encouragement to Queen Esther as she was called to fulfill God’s plan of deliverance from Haman’s desire to destroy the Jews.
Two different plans revealed! The devil’s evil plan using Haman to satisfy his desire for destruction of God’s people and God’s perfect plan for their salvation. But for God’s plan to be resolved, it required the willingness of an unprepared woman.
How would we respond if we were called to accomplish something as important as saving many lives? Of course Esther was hesitant, realizing the danger to her own life: “All the kings officials and the people of the inner court without being summoned, the king has but one law; that he be put to death”.
But Mordecai’s words “Who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this” stirred Esther’s heart with a commitment to save her people.
Are we not like Esther, called to intervene for those exposed to Satan’s evil plan for judgment? Are we not called to share God’s beautiful plan for eternal life? Jesus said to his disciples: “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field” (Matthew 9:37-38). Are we not His workers called into His harvest field?
Perhaps we are like Esther, uncertain of our ability to be used to further God’s kingdom. But the desire to serve our wonderful Lord will, like Esther, give us courage to serve as we are called: “Therefore, I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air…” (1 Corinthians 9:26).
The devil’s plan is fear, insecurity, and hesitation to keep us out of that harvest field, but God’s plan is for us to prune and fertilize as He expands our faith for His purpose. “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). Even when we, like Esther, fear being put to death as were Peter, James, Paul and countless others for sharing the gospel, we know that we will never serve alone: “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your body” (2 Corinthians 6:19-20).
Who knows but that we have not come to our position as branches attached to that vine (John 15:5), to bear an abundance of fruit from the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) planted as seed to produce a crop of new workers to work in His harvest field? May we never place the devil’s plan—fear of failure—ahead of our Lord’s inspired plan for success.
Jesus said: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20).
Amen.