Esther chapter four is so encouraging to us today because even though times seem impossible and it seems like it is the end, we see how God is working behind the scenes on our behalf according to His plan for our lives.
When Mordecai and the Jews heard about the Decree of Annihilation, they reacted just as anyone would – with deep intense grief and mourning.
Esther 4:1-3 “When Mordecai learned all that had happened, he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city. He cried out with a loud and bitter cry. He went as far as the front of the king’s gate, for no one might enter the king’s gate clothed with sackcloth. And in every province where the king’s command and decree arrived, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.”
You can just feel their anguish can’t you. Notice that Mordecai tore his clothing and put on sackcloth. This is a clear sign of grieving and mourning; remember Jacob tore his clothes and put on sackcloth as he mourned for his son Joseph in Genesis 37:34.
At this time Queen Esther is not aware of the decree, she is sheltered from what is happening outside the palace, so Mordecai has to find a way to notify her. We see in verse two that Mordecai went to the city gate but he could not, by Persian law, enter the palace wearing sackcloth but he publicly made it known he was grieved by this decree. Verse three says there was great mourning among the Jews. Notice there response – fasting, weeping, wailing and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.
My friend, God has never promised us as his children that we would live a life without trials and tribulation; however, he does promise that we are never alone through the crisis times of life.
Please join me as we see Queen Esther’s response when she hears of her cousin’s distress at the city gate in our next post.