Reading: Esther Chapter 4; Joel 2:12-17
Pay close attention throughout this chapter on who's commanding/ordering who. Might notice something interesting.
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Commentaries:
v1: Mordecai gave the impression of a very proud and composed man, yet even Mr can't-bow-cause-my-knee-is-stiff is tearing his clothes and wailing in public.
v2: The palace gates was where Mordecai worked, he wasn't ashamed to expose his grief/needs to people who saw him everyday. How ironic that the very palace that caused this grief doesn't allow demonstrations of that grief within its walls, the government was disconnected from the needs of the people.
v3: Feasting is a recurring motifs in this book and the Jews' collective fasting stand in stark contrast. The Jews weren't merely starving themselves out of protest or grief, and they certainly weren't looking to shed a few pounds, they fasted in order to return to God through repentance. Read Joel 2:12-17 to see some very intended connections. Although Joel is ordered after Esther in the bible, it was actually written before.
v4: Esther was clueless! Instead of worrying about what caused Mordecai's bereavement, her immediate response was an almost comical concern for his modesty, funny yet sad at the same time.
v5: heheheh eunuch
v6-7: They met in an open square, right outside the palace gates. Kind of public for a discussion against the king's favored official, rather bold in a country with ears wide open for conspiracies. I wonder if Hathach was nervous at all.
v8: It is significant that Mordecai even passed on a copy of the decree. Perhaps his words alone wasn't enough to convince Esther of the gravity of the situation, or Esther needed proof to believe her husband ordered the genocide of her people. The copy was a final slap in the face to wake Esther to hard realities. Note that he just commanded his daughter; queen or no queen, old habits die hard.
v9-10: Why mention the messenger? Hathach highlights the distance between Esther and Mordecai. While their only physical barrier was a gate and a small walkway, the need for a messenger tells us that they're on different planets in terms of social status. It also screams of the difference in values - her frivolous solution to his grief, losing touch with the realities outside the palace, and her initial resolve to do nothing about the crisis. Esther has become sheltered, spoilt; and poor Hathach was stuck in one awkward turtle moment after another as Mordecai tries to get through to her.
v11: "All the king's servants know" implies that Mordecai knew the rules as well. Surely daddy wouldn't expect his little Hadassah to put herself in danger? I wonder if Esther thought the matter closed, and she absolved of any further responsibilities of her people's blood because of her perceived inability to do anything.
No doubt Esther feared echoing her predecessor's downfall. Where Vashi refused to come when bidden, she would come unbidden. Esther wasn't a perfect heroine, which makes her infinitely more relatable. I really want us to see ourselves in her, with all her flaws, fears, and insecurities. Although she had good reasons for hesitance, stacked next to God, all reasons for disobedience melt away.
The king ignores his wife for weeks on end. Esther was on a very short leash after Vashti and theres trouble in paradise as she finds herself at the beck and call of a man prone to precarious mood swings.
v12: "They." Hathach brought buddies this time, perhaps to protect himself due to the sensitive nature of the conversation. Or perhaps word got around and servants congregated to see this juicy gossip in the making.
v13: Hear the desperation of a father torn and conflicted. On the one hand, of COURSE he wants his little Hadassah safe; on the other, he was painfully aware of God's hand in placing his daughter in a strategic position to save their people. Esther (Persian name) has done such a good job of blending in among the Persians that he felt she needed to be reminded of the fact that she was also Hadassah (her Jewish name).
v14: God is implicitly mentioned in Mordecai's faith in deliverance. Mordecai was a man of great faith not only because of his confidence, but also in attributing Esther's strategic position to save her people to the design and workings of God.
v15-16: Communal prayer is powerful and Esther wanted EVERYONE praying. Note that she herself has an inner circle of girl friends who support her and are willing to fast and pray with her. I love the line "if I perish, I perish." What a powerful statement of commitment, so different from the girl too timid to go unsummoned into her husband's presence.
v17: The verb form of command/order, "Tsavah," is used four times this chapter. Twice from Esther to the eunuch (v5 and 10), once from Mordecai to Esther (v8), and now from Esther to Mordecai (v17). Who is the leader? Who gives the orders and who obeys? See a woman who was humble enough to submit to the wisdom of others and yet has the backbone to take charge when it's required of her. I wonder as Mordecai rushes off to obey his own daughter's command if his heart didn't surge with pride for his little Hadassah. She is finally acting like a queen. You go, girl! (....sorry..)
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Reflections:
Have you ever witnessed a public outburst of grief? What was your immediate impulse/response?
Do you think Mordecai regrets not kneeling? Is that a part of his grief?
Some crises are too important to save face, have you ever risked losing something so important that you threw away pride to save it?
* What is your immediate reaction to the hurt/injury of someone you care about? Have you ever focused on the wrong things, like Esther did with Mordecai's modesty?
Grief is sometimes an appropriate response, why do you think mordecai refused the change of clothes?
v8 - Esther was forced to choose between her husband's character and Mordecai's words, ever forced to choose between two people you love/trust?
* Have you ever received harsh advise/orders that required a sacrifice on your part? Does it cause you to doubt the advice giver?
Discuss the dual identity of Esther and Hadassah. Do you ever find yourself juggling multiple identities? If so, why?
We are often guilty of the sins of inaction. We can either sin by doing ignoble things or by leaving noble things undone. Ever notice this in your life? What are some needs you could meet in the lives of those around you but are choosing not to?
* A part of faith is seeing God's hand and purpose in where he places us, and the connections and skills that we are provided. How are you uniquely placed in life (jobs, friends, marriages, etc) with your unique sphere of influence for "such a time as this?"
* Why would Mordecai mourn and wear sackcloth if he had such faith in God's deliverance, with or without Esther? See John 11:35 for an interesting parallel. Does/should faith nullify emotions such as grief or fear?
Did v13 read like a threat to you or can it be read as a message of fatherly love and concern? Ever received harsh words that were said to protect and guide you? What does it take to receive harsh words of love the way Esther did?
* Esther did not go to Xerxes right away even though I imagine it'd be easier to just get it over with ASAP. Why do you think she put off the meeting for 3 days? Do you think Esther was tempted to back out during those 3 days? How did she stay with the game plan? (hint: who were praying with her?) How can this be practically replicated in your life?
What kind of values, worldviews, and support groups does it take to essentially say "if I die doing the will of God, then so be it"? Are you fostering and striving to grow these kinds of values, worldviews, and support groups?
* The bible is clear that wives are to submit to their husbands, yet is filled with glorious examples of godly women leaders. When AND how is it appropriate for women to lead/command a man in a marriage/relationship? Talk about this dichotomy of submission and gentle leadership that God calls his daughters into.
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