Day 17 - Esther

Full disclosure -- I love the story of Esther. It is one of my favorite books of the Bible. It is a story of courage, honor, and faithfulness from both
Mordecai and Esther. Just look at this awesome exchange:


“All the king's officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that he be put to death. The only exception to this is for the king to extend the gold scepter to him and spare his life. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king.”

When Esther's words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 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 family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?”

Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” (Esther 4:11-16)

Esther had a good excuse: she would be killed. I mean, as far as excuses, that's about as good as it gets. Mordecai then tells her to get over it. Her cowardly action won't save her and her family. Disobedience to God won't help her. Her only hope is to risk everything for the Kingdom.

She decides to go for it and says that line that I love: "if I perish, I perish". Basically, she's saying, "obedience is more important than my own personal well being." The thing is...being obedient WAS what was best for her well being. She would become a hero. They'd write. book about her in the Bible. She would be revered. Really, what we learn from Esther is that NOT following God is what is most risky. Following Him in radical obedience might seem crazy, dangerous, and risky, but it is the safest path to the best life we could ever have.