In Esther 4 Mordechai learned of the plot of Haman to kill all of the Jews and he sent word to Queen Esther that she must go to the king and plead for their people.  She sent word back to Mordechai that she has not been summoned for thirty days and one who goes before the king not summoned could lose their life.  Mordechai replied with the often quoted verse in Esther 4:14; “14. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows but that you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

Esther listened to the counsel and wisdom of Mordechai and in turn operated in wisdom when she sent this word back in verse 16; “Go and assemble all the Jews who can be found in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink day or night for three days, and I and my maidens will fast as you do. After that, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish. ”

Have you ever wondered why she was willing to take this risk rather than just send word to her husband, the king, that she needed to talk to him?  The following IVP Commentary from an Ancient Near East perspective sheds light and wisdom as to why Esther may not go through the typical protocol.

IVP Commentary: 4:11; It was a common necessity of proper court function that there must be limited access to the king, and Herodotus gives indications that the same was true of the Persian rulers. But the details concerning the death penalty and the gold scepter are not described. Many commentators have wondered why Esther could not have simply gone through proper channels to secure an audience with the king or perhaps even waited longer to see if she would be summoned (the set time was many months away). If, however, Haman holds the office of hazarapatish (Known as the King’s Eye) she would have to make arrangements through him and thereby jeopardize the whole plan.

Such a wise decision Esther made!! She took the risk and walked in faith.  Hudson Taylor said, “Unless there is an element of risk, it is not faith.”

Though YHVH’s name is never mentioned in the book of Esther, He is clearly evident throughout the entire book.  After praying and fasting for three days [connection to resurrection] Esther puts on her royal robes and goes before the king and in GREAT wisdom, that she obviously receives from seeking the Spirit of Wisdom and Counsel from YHVH, she requests a banquet with the King and Haman and then following that banquet she requests a second one.  This is when Haman is exposed and hung on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordechai.

Because Esther initially listened to the wisdom and counsel of Mordechai, she then sought further in prayer from our heavenly Father who sent THE wisdom and counsel she needed and our forefather’s lives were spared.  The Seven Spirits of YHVH are available to everyone, but if we miss who or what their revealed through and/or don’t follow the wisdom given; we will not “prosper” in our endeavors. Let’s be a people who inquire and obey the Spirit of Wisdom that is freely available to us!!

Shalom & Blessings,

Courtesy of
River of Life Tabernacle
Tammy McLendon
Great peace have they who love Your law. Psalm 119:165a