He also gave him a copy of the text of the edict for their annihilation, which had been published in Susa, to show to Esther and explain it to her, and he told him to urge her to go into the king’s presence to beg for mercy and plead with him for her people. (NIV) Esther 4:8
Haman, an official in the Persian Empire, has revenge on his mind. To carry out his plan he receives the authority from King Xerxes to destroy all the Jews in kingdom. His deliberate refusal to forgive festers and grows and becomes deadly. But, God is on the move in mysterious ways in Persia. He is working behind the scenes.
When Mordecai heard of the plot, he was moved with deep sorrow, and he cried out with a heavy of heart. What caused the grief? Mordecai knew that the plan involved the unchangeable law of the Medes and the Persians. Not even the king could change it now that it had been uttered. Mordecai puts on sackcloth (a sign of mourning) and heads to the king’s gate.
Queen Esther hears of Mordecai’s great distress. She sends her servant, Hathach to “find out what was troubling Mordecai and why. 6 So Hathach went out to Mordecai in the open square of the city in front of the king’s gate. 7 Mordecai told him everything that had happened to him, including the exact amount of money Haman had promised to pay into the royal treasury for the destruction of the Jews. 8 He also gave him a copy of the text of the edict for their annihilation, which had been published in Susa, to show to Esther and explain it to her, and he told him to urge her to go into the king’s presence to beg for mercy and plead with him for her people. 9 Hathach went back and reported to Esther what Mordecai had said.” (Esther 4:5b-9)
Esther’s initial response is somewhat puzzling as we discover a certain reluctance on her part. Through Hathach, the queen reminds Mordecai that no one could approach the king in the inner court without a royal summons. The result of doing so was the penalty of death!
How are you backed into a corner today? Perhaps you can’t see any way out of a difficult and delicate situation. No matter how you try there’s no solution. . .or at least no solution that would please God. Wait! God is on the move today working behind the scenes and bringing His purposes and plans into place. When it looks like you’re backed into a corner with no way out, take hold of God’s hand and allow Him to unfold His perfect plan!
