Chapter 4 is the piviotal point of the book of Esther. Haman’s decree has been issued and while he happily has gone about his life the Jews are now living with the reality that in about a year they are to be murdered. It is in this moment that the reader sees why Esther has been placed in the position she is in, her destiny is to be revealed, but yet, we still do not know what the outcome will be, and neither does Esther. Her concern is that she could be put to death for approaching the king uninvited, Mordaci’s concern is that all Jews, including Esther will be murdered.
The thing that stands out about this particular situation to me is that Esther has a choice. She had a choice to respond, she had a choice on how to act, and she had a choice to be obedient. Esther was blessed to have a loving adult in her life who was able to see the big picture. Mordaci knew Esther was the Jew’s only hope, and he wasn’t afraid to let her know it.
Beth Moore made the following points (in quotes) and here is what I have been convicted of:
1)“It will often be crisis that God uses to pivot our direction, there is human dilema in destiny.” I cannot think of one defining moment in my life that did not involve a fork in the road choice. Obedience, walking towards my life calling, or running (usually out of fear)
2)“We can refuse to walk in obedience to God or cower in fear from our calling and He will undoubtedly still accomplish His agenda. As for us, however, we will pass up the fulfillment of our own entire life-purpose and we – and perhaps even “our father’s family” will miss a mighty work.” Have you ever considered this? When we run from a calling from God we are running from a blessing!
3) We are called to a purposeful life. Destiny involves choice, a walk down the road of obedience. Destiny involves purpose. Esther had no desire to be in the position she was in. Esther would have much rather sat quietly alone in the palace then confront her husband, and yet she made the decision to accept the call God had given her and live a life of purpose, not fear. (More on this next post!)
I also loved this irony Moore points out: “Haman succeeded in driving Mordecai to his knees after all but not in worship of a man. Instead, he drove him to return to the Lord. That is precisely why God allowed it.” Will you choose to see your conflicts this way?
