Esther 4:13

_THEN MORDECAI COMMANDED TO ANSWER ESTHER, THINK NOT WITH THYSELF THAT THOU SHALT ESCAPE IN THE KING'S HOUSE, MORE THAN ALL THE JEWS._ Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther. His answer was to this effect, that Esther need not indulge the vain hope she would, from her royal connection escape the general doom of her race; that he (Mordecai) confidently believed God would interpose, and, if not through her, by some other deliverer, save His people; but that the duty evidently devolved on her, as there was great reason to believe that this was the design of Providence in her elevation to the dignity of queen; and therefore that she should go with a courageous heart, not doubting of in her elevation to the dignity of queen; and therefore that she should go with a courageous heart, not doubting of success....

5-17 We are prone to shrink from services that are attended with peril or loss. But when the cause of Christ and his people demand it, we must take up our cross, and follow him. When Christians are disposed to consult their own ease or safety, rather than the public good, they should be blamed. The law was express, all knew it. It is not thus in the court of the King of kings: to the footstool of his throne of grace we may always come boldly, and may be sure of an answer of peace to the prayer of faith. We are welcome, even into the holiest, through the blood of Jesus. Providence so ordered it, that, just then, the king's affections had cooled toward Esther; her faith and courage thereby were the more tried; and God's goodness in the favour she now found with the king, thereby shone the brighter. Haman no doubt did what he could to set the king against her. Mordecai suggests, that it wa...

Verse Esther 4:13. _THINK NOT - THAT THOU SHALT ESCAPE_] This confirms the suspicion that Haman knew something of the relationship between Mordecai and Esther; and therefore he gives her to understand that, although in the _king's palace_, she should no more _escape_ _than the Jews_....

EXPOSITION MOURNING OF MORDECAI, AND OF THE JEWS GENERALLY, ON HEARING OF THE DECREE (Esther 4:1 Esther 4:1). Haman had no doubt kept his intentions secret until the king's consent to them was not only granted, but placed beyond his power to recall The Jews first heard of the terrible blow impending over them by the publication of the edict. Then they became acquainted with it quickly enough. The edict was for a while the talk of the town. Placarded openly in some conspicuous and frequented place, every loiterer read it, every gossip spoke of it, every one whom it threatened could

THEN MORDECAI COMMANDED TO ANSWER ESTHER,.... Gave in charge to the messengers what they should say to Esther from him, by way of reply: THINK NOT WITH THYSELF THAT THOU SHALL ESCAPE IN THE KING'S HOUSE, MORE THAN ALL THE JEWS; signifying that her being queen, and in the king's palace, would be no protection to her; and she would be no safer there than the Jews elsewhere, since they had no greater enemies any where than in the king's court; and it was or would be known of what nation she was, and therefore must not expect to escape the fury of the enemy....

THE CONSTERNATION OF THE JEWS -- MORDECAI AND ESTHER CHAPTER 4 _ 1. The great lamentations of the Jews (Esther 4:1)_ 2. Esther's discovery (Esther 4:4) 3. Esther's helplessness (Esther 4:10) 4. Mordecai's answer (Esther 4:13) 5. Esther's decision (Esther 4:15) Esther 4:1. When Mordecai heard of what had been done and the plan to exterminate his people became known to him he rent his clothes. This and the putting on of sackcloth and

ESTHER 4. THE DISMAY OF THE JEWS. MORDECAI OVERCOMES ESTHER'S RELUCTANCE TO INTERCEDE WITH THE KING. And now the gloom spreads. At this point, the LXX has a pathetic message from Mordecai to his niece, the queen. Surely the original had a passage of this kind: here the Heb. scribes have probably excised something that was very fitting because it spoke of Yahweh's omnipotence and His certain care for Israel. Such a passage would be true to Israelitish character, as we know it, from the time of Amos down to Jesus. The omission is unnatural, and is therefore the work of an editing hand. Mordecai cries, O Esther, pray thou too to Yahweh for help, and plead with thy husband to save us. Mordecai says that Providence has set her in the queenly place to the end that she may now do nobly and stay the disaster; therefore she must undertake the sacred, though dangerous, task. It is probable, from t...

THINK NOT THAT THOU SHALT ESCAPE IN THE KING'S HOUSE, MORE THAN ALL THE JEWS. In order to strengthen the indecision of Esther, and to overcome her timidity and womanly reserve, Mordecai assures her that the decree involves her as well as the rest of her race. The king may not be aware of that fact, but her jealous rivals in the king's household have doubtless learned it, and means will be taken under the decree to get rid of her. Not only for the preservation of the race, but for self-preservation, she must act....

COMMANDED. Hebrew. _'amar._ See note on Esther 1:10. THYSELF. thy soul. Hebrew. _nephesh._ App-13....

Esther's grief and the communications between her and Mordecai 4. _came and told it her_ Although unaware, according to the story, of the queen's relationship to Mordecai, her attendants knew (see Esther 2:11) the importance which he attached to her welfare, and therefore they presumed that his mourning garb would bespeak her interest. _she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai_ so that he might come within the gate and tell her the cause of his distress. _but he received it not_ by this refusal indicating the dire nature of the calamity of which it was the symbol....