“All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that he be put to death.”

Esther 4:11

Esther is another example of a woman in crisis, albeit of a different kind. More precisely, all the Jews in the vast Medo-Persian kingdom ruled by Xerxes were in dire straits and Esther was the only one who had any hope of getting the ear of the king. You see, Haman held a grudge against Mordecai, Esther’s adopted caregiver, because he refused to bow down and honor him (Esther 3:2). So Haman looked for a way to destroy all Mordecai’s people, the Jews, throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes (3:6). He persuaded Xerxes: “They do not obey the king’s laws; it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them” (3:8). The date was set to annihilate all…on a single day (3:13).   

While it was true that the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins, (and) he made her queen (2:17), even she was in danger of death if not summoned. What was a girl to do? If she remained silent, she’d still perish since she was a Jew. Mordecai did not mince words: “And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” (4:14).    

You know the rest of the story. Esther asked for three days of fasting and prayer, put on her royal robes, and approached Xerxes. Xerxes was pleased and promised up to half the kingdom (5:2-3). In due time couriers were racing to the corners of the kingdom with the king’s edict, allowing the Jews to avenge themselves (8:13-14). To this day the custom of Purim celebrates the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies (9:22).

Crises come in all shapes and forms, that’s for certain. Our Covid pandemic has attacked not only our health and in some cases life, but also our welfare and social structure. We will certainly be glad to emerge from this present danger. We will be happy to observe our return to normal with parties and fun and laughter as the Jews have done ever since (9:22, MSG). 

Think of it though, there is no reason for our quarantined jars of clay not to pop with the favor of the Lord right now. In due time we will get relief from this enemy.  

Nancy P