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Esther 4 Commentary
by Brad Boyles
“…if I perish, I perish”
Don’t miss these words. Don’t gloss over them. I know maybe you have read them before when you’ve studied this story, but take a moment and let that thought sink in.
If I lose my life, then I lose my life. This is what Esther has decided. In other words, her obedience to God is more valuable to her than her own life. Just think about that! She is willing to risk her life to save others. The stark contrast between the King and Esther illustrates for us the attitude of those in the world and those in the Word.
“This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. 13 “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.”
John 15:12-13 NASB
What happens when we face a situation where we potentially lose something very valuable to us if we stand on the foundation of Christ? Maybe it’s a job. Maybe it’s our family. Maybe it’s our life. Would we do it?
“Ahasuerus is the type of swollen self-indulgence, which always degrades and coarsens; Esther is the type of self-sacrifice which as uniformly refines, elevates, and arrays with new beauty and power. If we would reach the highest nobleness possible to us, we must stand with Esther at the gate, and not envy or imitate Ahasuerus on his gaudy throne.”
Alexander MacLaren
Faithful action is preceded by prayer and genuine courage. This is the key to the passage. Esther does not walk it alone. She engages her community in prayer and fasting. Yes, she has made up her mind she will follow through, but fear is a beast. There is no doubt over the next several days the “what-if” scenarios would amp up. Esther knew that it would be the dedicated prayers of her people that would light her path to obedience.
So, how is your prayer life? Are you engaging others or walking alone?