The Story of Mordechai and Esther, Ahasuarus and Haman PART FOUR

Here resumes the story of Mordechai. We left our characters having just discovered the plot to destroy their people.

THE PROBLEM

Hadassah saw why MORDECAI was in sackcloth and ashes. Because she also feared God, she knew that their only hope was in God’s Salvation. She replied “I would like to beseech the king to reverse this decree, but there is a problem. The king has a rule that anyone who approaches him without being summoned, is to be killed, unless he extends his golden scepter so that they are spared. I haven’t been summoned for a whole month. This is a problem and I don’t know what I can do about it.”

Then MORDECAI responded “Yes that’s a problem. Death is staring us in our face. Even you are not going to be spared from this evil decree, once it becomes known that you are among the people of God. If we do nothing, Haman (booo!) is assuredly going to destroy and plunder us all. If you are silent, perhaps salvation will come from somewhere else, but don’t you think perhaps God has exulted you from your lowly position to queen for just a time like this? God has placed you high above the nobles who are all in on this evil plan.”

The queen believed MORDECAI and feared God. She said “Assemble all the people of God in Susa and fast on my behalf. Put on sackcloth and ashes and eat no food or drink for three days and petition God to save us. I will do the same. After the fast, I will break the king’s rule and approach him without being summoned. If I die, then I die.”

THE PETITIONS TO GOD

When MORDECAI heard this, he didn’t waste any time. He assembled all the people of God in Susa to fast for three days.

He prayed to God and said:

“Almighty King, You are the King of all kings, our allegiance is to You. You made the Heavens and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. Nobody can resist Your mighty power. You know that when we break the rules of the earthly king, we do not do this to acquire fame, or out of our own pride, or to give glory to ourselves, or display spite towards the ruler you established, but only to glorify Your Holy name. Standing in the gate, I judge righteous judgments according to Your Holy Laws. When proud Haman (booo!) approached and everybody bowed before him, I remembered the sovereignty of Almighty God, how You alone are worthy of such honor and I stand upright before him. Even though I would kiss his feet for the salvation of Israel, I cannot place the honor of man above the honor of God. Therefore, Almighty God, I petition You for Your Salvation, that Israel not be destroyed. For we are your inheritance, Your people whom You brought out of Egypt, who glorify Your Name. If we are destroyed, who will sing praises to Your Name? Who will execute Your righteous decrees? Who will shine in the darkness? Please turn our sorrow into joy that we may live to praise Your Name! Amen!”

Hadassah also, the one king Akev-sherrif called “Queen Ester”, removed her splendid cloths, her crown and jewelry and put on sackcloth and ashes. Her hair became wild and knotted, dust caked her face and body, and she didn’t bath for three days. If you saw her, you wouldn’t have recognized her as the beautiful queen, but maybe a crazy person. But she knew this was serious and humbled herself before God to seek His good pleasure. She said:

“My Father and Heavenly King. You are God and there is no other. Please help me, for I am alone here among these people, having been exulted to this high position and I have no one to turn to but You. I know of the history of Your people, that we sinned in your sight and been delivered into the hands of our enemies because we worshiped their gods. In our trouble, we have turned away from these detestable foreign gods, and seek after You alone and Your righteousness. Oh God, Mighty God of my fathers, these enemies of ours want to do away with your righteous decrees that we have been seeking in our dispersion. And now they have determined to destroy your people, those who praise Your Holy Name. These same, who desire to exult their earthly king and their false gods, desire great harm to Your name. Remember us, Oh God, manifest Your glory in this time of our distress and make them an example for all people that they may know that You are the King of kings and Lord of lords and ruler of every power under Heaven. I ask that you place persuasive words into my mouth, in the presence of my enemy, and turn the heart of the king against the very enemy of Your people, that wicked Agagite who is plotting our destruction. Save us by your power, I am alone and have only you as savior. You know that I hate the glory of the heathens, the bed of the uncircumcised, this detestable crown, the polluted tables of the king, the libations of wickedness. I delight only in You, My God and My King. I have no joy but in You alone. May Your Holy Name be exulted and deliver me from my fear. Amen.

At the end of three days, Hadassah removed her garments, washed and perfumed and dressed in her finest cloths and most beautiful adornments. Her body had become weak, but her heart was strong and her stunning beauty only increased.