My God and My Country

The Book of Esther

Chapter 4:8, 14-16

8 Also he gave him the copy of the writing and commission that was given at Shushan, to destroy them, that he might show it unto Esther and declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in to the king, and make petition and supplication before him for her people.

14 For if thou holdest thy peace at this time, comfort and deliverance shall appear to the Jews out of another place, but thou and thy father’s house shall perish: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time?
15 Then Esther commanded to answer Mordecai,
16 Go, and assemble all the Jews that are found in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and eat not, nor drink in three days, day nor night. I also and my maids will fast likewise, and so will I go in to the King, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.

Brethren:

A quick thought on the above. If need be God Himself will intervene, when all other worldly means have been exhausted. Fasting is a form of sacrifice wherein we deny ourselves in order that we might show our devotion to our Creator. Place your trust, therefore in Him to and for deliverance.

“Although he does not explain his meaning, and, indeed, seems to be speaking with studied reserve, still we may suppose that Mordecai here refers to Divine help, which he asserts will be vouchsafed in this extremity. [However], it does not necessarily follow that we are to see in this declaration a proof of the earnestness of Mordecai’s faith. 'Thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed'.—That is, by the hand of God, who having raised thee to this pitch of glory and power will require it from thee, if thou fail in that which it plainly devolves upon thee to do. It is clear there is a good deal of force in these last words of Mordecai. Esther’s rise had been so marvellous that one might well see in it the hand of God, and if so there was clearly a very special object in view, which it must be her anxious care to work for. In the whole tone of the conversation, however, there seems a lack of higher and more noble feelings, an absence of any suggestion of turning for aid to God; and thus in return, when God carries out His purpose, and grants deliverance, it seems done indirectly, without the conferring of any special blessing on the human instruments.” - Ellicott's Commentary of the Bible