4 When Esther’s young women and her eunuchs came and told her, the queen was deeply distressed. She sent garments to clothe Mordecai, so that he might take off his sackcloth, but he would not accept them. 5 Then Esther called for Hathach, one of the king’s eunuchs, who had been appointed to attend her, and ordered him to go to Mordecai to learn what this was and why it was. 6 Hathach went out to Mordecai in the open square of the city in front of the king’s gate, 7 and Mordecai told him all that had happened to him, and the exact sum of money that Haman had promised to pay into the king’s treasuries for the destruction of the Jews. 8 Mordecai also gave him a copy of the written decree issued in Susa for their destruction, that he might show it to Esther and explain it to her and command her to go to the king to beg his favor and plead with him on behalf of her people. 9 And Hathach went and told Esther what Mordecai had said. 10 Then Esther spoke to Hathach and commanded him to go to Mordecai and say, 11 “All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that if any man or woman goes to the king inside the inner court without being called, there is but one law—to be put to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter so that he may live. But as for me, I have not been called to come in to the king these thirty days.”
12 And they told Mordecai what Esther had said. 13 Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not think to yourself that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. 14 For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” 15 Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, 16 “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.” 17 Mordecai then went away and did everything as Esther had ordered him.
Esther is caught in a tough situation. She has discovered a plot to kill all the Jews, but he only way to approach the King is to face possible execution. Most people know when their friends or spouse are plotting evil in the world. But how often do we want to confront them about their wickedness?
Esther was caught between death herself, and allowing horrible things happen to her friends, or relatives. Most of the time our struggles may not seem so grave and yet we are not willing to go before the King or even the peasant to remedy the situation.
St Paul stood up to St Peter when he saw him stop eating with Gentiles, because this could possibly lead some to think they must become Jews. Esther was supposed to stand before the King against Haman's plot to kill the Jews. You may also be called to stand up to your friend or family member when they are acting out against the will of God.
In St Paul and St Peter's case, no one was going to die, but some might be lead into false belief, and the path to destruction. In your case this is general the situation we face. It is allowing some one to practice or believe something that could very well lead to their eternal death. It is only through the call to repentance, and pointing one to turn from his or her actions. They turn from these actions to our Lord Jesus Christ who has died for their sins taking them upon himself. In him alone cans we find forgiveness and salvation. He is our one and true King of all creation.
Esther was caught between death herself, and allowing horrible things happen to her friends, or relatives. Most of the time our struggles may not seem so grave and yet we are not willing to go before the King or even the peasant to remedy the situation.
St Paul stood up to St Peter when he saw him stop eating with Gentiles, because this could possibly lead some to think they must become Jews. Esther was supposed to stand before the King against Haman's plot to kill the Jews. You may also be called to stand up to your friend or family member when they are acting out against the will of God.
In St Paul and St Peter's case, no one was going to die, but some might be lead into false belief, and the path to destruction. In your case this is general the situation we face. It is allowing some one to practice or believe something that could very well lead to their eternal death. It is only through the call to repentance, and pointing one to turn from his or her actions. They turn from these actions to our Lord Jesus Christ who has died for their sins taking them upon himself. In him alone cans we find forgiveness and salvation. He is our one and true King of all creation.
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