As Esther debates with herself just what to do about the king’s decree to destroy all the Jews, her uncle Mordecai gives her (and us) some very important news. “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 your royal position for such a time as this?”
First, Mordecai assures Esther that privileged does not guarantee freedom from persecution. When people rise up against God’s family, history has shown that nothing but God can protect them. This is important for we in privileged positions to remember.
Second, Mordecai assures Esther that God will save His people, with or without her. If she does not rise up to the challenge of being God’s instrument, He will simply raise another and we will miss out on all that God has in store. This is important for us to remember when we think God’s plan depends on us.
Finally, Mordecai assures Esther that God’s plan to save His people began long before the danger arose in the first place. Before Haman even conceived of his plan for Jewish genocide, God had put the objects of His salvation in the right places.
Once again, we are reminded that it is God’s plan, God’s battle, and God’s power that saves us and those around us, not our ability or success. These are important lessons, ones that I hope we will remember in the days ahead.
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