Esther is a Jew. Even so, when the Queen disobeys King Ahasuerus, she is taken into the King's palace and becomes one of his wives.
In an unrelated course of events, Esther's uncle Mordecia (who had cared for Esther during her youth), gets caught up in an ego trip of one of King's rulers. A death warrant is put forth for all the Jews.
Mordecia sends word to Esther, asking her to speak to the King about these matters. Remembering what had happened to the Queen, Esther repeats the law to Mordecia, stating that no one can approach the King, unless sent for. And the King has not sent for her in these thirty days.
Mordecia warns Esther that she should not presume the palace to be a safe place for her. That eventually, the edit will eventually make its way to the King's very court and regardless of her statue, she too will be put to death.
So often, when we see the misfortune of those around us, we develop the tendency to lower our heads and hope to be spared. We think it unfortunate that someone is being treated unjustly, but allow ourselves to be preoccupied with ourselves. We fail to act or even to speak up for those being treated badly. Our palaces (our comfortable apartments) seem to be a shield from hunger or poverty or treatable disease. Last night we were discussing the Malaria Campaign. There has been a marked indifference to mustering energy to educate our group and mobilize activity. Like Esther, we hope to slip into the shadows and avoid the ill that has fallen upon others.
Mordecia says to his niece, "Who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for a time such as this?" He points out that great acts arise out of the most common of events. Moses got his start when protecting an unnamed slave from a beating. David's march to the lead of Israel started with carrying lunch to the soldiers. Steven was making sure that the widows and orphans of the foreigners were fed when he was singled out for God's service.
"Who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for a time such as this?"
What will it take to jolt us form our indifference? How close will the sharp end of the spears needs to be before we feel compelled to act?
Esther is a short book. It is a very interesting story. Read it for two purposes: 1 - to learn the story; and 2 - to be challenged to think for what purposes God might have brought you to the kingdom.
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