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| Mosaic of Queen Esther by Lillian Broca |
Tonight begins the annual, biblical celebration of Esther and Mordechai's rescue of God's people from the hand of Haman in ancient Persia.
When people talk about Esther, they often speak of Mordechai's "such a time as this" proclamation. Or Esther's daring, uninvited visit to the throne. Or Haman's attempted power grab that backfired with him having to publicly honor his nemesis.
I've spoken and written about all these things over the years. But today, with the state of the world and the state of many dear ones' circumstances, the importance of one specific verse is especially meaningful to me.
"Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish." Esther 4:16 ESV
Just a short time earlier, Esther - the orphaned exile - had entered the presence of the king, winning his favor and the crown. It's a feel-good, romantic moment in Scripture. But it was quickly followed by Haman's plot to annihilate all of God's people throughout the Persian Empire.
This dizzying shift from joy in Chapter 2 to distress in Chapter 3 is one of many dramatic reversals in the Book of Esther. Reversals that many of us know all too well. Unexpected downsizing at work. Crumbling marriage at home. Devastating news at the doctor's office.
Life is filled with unexpected, gut-wrenching reversals. And the way Esther responded to hers is a simple yet powerful picture of how we should respond to ours: The very first thing this young queen asked of her people was that they rally together to pray and to fast. Right alongside her and her friends.
When we find ourselves at the end of ourselves, let us be like Queen Esther. Let us not be overcome by spiraling circumstances, withdrawing into isolation, but rather petition the Lord of Hosts and ask others to come alongside us. Because, you see, Satan - like Haman - strives to frighten and to isolate in times of trouble.
So let us instead, like Esther, defy him with determination to reach up to God and to reach out to those around us.
Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Messiah. Galatians 6:2 HNV
Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul. Acts 4:32 ESV
For previous blog posts from Tammy about Purim:
For Such a Time as This
God is a Hamantashen
Esther and Easter
