A close study of the book of Esther should raise many questions in the heart of a loving enquirer. One of such comes from the conversation between Queen Esther and her father figure, Uncle Mordechai, in our text chapter. Was Esther’s response to Mordechai’s request in Esther 4:8-11 (note verse 8)

Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people.And Hatach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai.Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordecai;All the king’s servants, and the people of the king’s provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or women, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.

an indication that she was now in her comfort zone that may now be threatened? Or just the acknowledgement of status quo regarding the law of the land, a man’s law, just as Mordechai could not enter the king’s gate in sackcloth – Esther 4:1-2.

Could Mordechai in disappointment be accusing his daughter of the former? The bigger question that each of us should answer is: would I trade my comfort zone and all its trappings for the salvation of another, individual or a people? Sacrifice my life by going against the law of man to save a people? This was what ultimately Esther had to decide.

Faced with the deluge of dark powers that have possessed the youth in our land; evidenced by the gory stories we read daily of Satanic rituals they instigate in the pursuit of wealth, where are the Esthers that can be inspired to selfless sacrifice for their redemption. 

Christ arrives right on time to make this happen. He didn’t, and doesn’t, wait for us to get ready. He presented himself for this sacrificial death when we were far too weak and rebellious to do anything to get ourselves ready. And even if we hadn’t been so weak, we wouldn’t have known what to do anyway. We can understand someone dying for a person worth dying for, and we can understand how someone good and noble could inspire us to selfless sacrifice. But God put his love on the line for us by offering his Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to him. Romans 5:7-8 (MSG)

Dearly beloved what are we willing to give up for the salvation of a perishing generation? Are we sufficiently informed of the gravity of their situation to understand that we are not exempt from the tragedy plaguing these young sons and daughters? Only by turning wholly to the One who has the power to change all things can we change the worsening situation. Selah.