TITLE: The Rise of the Queen (Esther 4) A time for (4:1-3) • When a great injustice happens today, the impulse is to burn the city down. But, Mordecai, and all those who feared God, do not see the situation only as an injustice coming from an evil system. Mordecai also saw the situation as judgement coming from the hand of God – to wake up His people in prayer. A time for (4:4-8) • Esther is isolated in the palace. She does not know what is happening to her people. V.8 - Mordecai asks Hathach to explain the situation to Esther – including the part where Haman offers money – a bribe to the king! • Hathach will translate the decree and/or help Esther read it for herself. A time to (4:9-17) • This is the theological high point of Esther. It signals that they understand God is at work in His providence. They are beginning to see God’s hand in the glove of history – in their story. Could this be Esther’s divine destiny? • The queen is in charge now, but it the mood suggests she does not expect success. The last thing she says is, “If I die, I die.” The queen has risen. She will face death to save the Jewish people – for such a time as this. APPLICATION: The Rise of the Queen (Esther 4) Before you act, take time to mourn, fast, and pray. Seek clarity and reality on the choices ahead. • Too, often we act first, without any prayer or reality to the larger picture of what’s going on. Prayer and fasting help us to wed our plans to His providence in His world. The present is the only time in which any duty may be done or grace received. - C.S. Lewis • There is a grace that grows in Esther in this chapter. First she says, “I can’t!” then she rises in courage and accepts her duty. She is growing in the job. • Are you growing in grace and duty ? “What if you, like Esther, have an opportunity to act in a way that will bless more people than you could imagine?” - Max Lucado • Why has God placed you where you are? • “If you’re not DEAD, God isn’t done.” • Jesus said, “… with God everything is possible.”