Haman got angry because Mordecai the Jew would not bow down to him, and he wanted to punish him for his lack of obeisance. He decided that having Mordecai executed would be too small a vengeance; Haman’s rage would only be satisfied if all the Jews in the kingdom were killed as well (Esther 3:1-6). He got authority from the king to establish a date for all the Jews to be killed, and their property plundered (3:7-15).

Mordecai sent a message to Queen Esther urging her to plead for the lives of her people (4:8). Yet as Esther explained, no one could enter into the king’s presence without being invited: “if any man or woman goes to the king inside the inner court without being called, there is only one law—all alike are to be put to death. Only if the king holds out the golden scepter to someone, may that person live. I myself have not been called in to the king for thirty days.” (4:11).

We should all take to heart Mordecai’s analysis: don’t think you can escape the seriousness of the situation by just keeping quiet; and perhaps you have come to your present position “for just such a time as this” (4:14). Esther’s response is instructive as well: let’s commit ourselves to serious prayer and fasting for three days, and then I’ll put myself on the line for what is right: and “if I perish, I perish” (4:16).

* * * * *

You put us in places where we can make a difference, O Lord, for such a time as this present moment: yet we are so often afraid to speak or act. Grant us the courage to step forward in the face of anxiety, knowing that if we perish, we perish – and knowing that even in death we are held in your keeping.