Dec 12 Esther 2:19-23, Esther 3, Esther 4, Esther 5 Revelation 3:7-22 Psalm 141:1-10
Esther 4:13-14
Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not think to yourself that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
The book of Esther is an interesting one. It’s a story about the potential near description of the Jewish people, all because one man got offended and he chose to blame the Jews. History will replay this story in many forms over the coming centuries.
It’s the only book of the Bible that doesn’t mention God (depending on which translation of song of Solomon that you’ve read). Yet we after repeat a part of this passage as if it’s a word spoken by God. “You have been called – for such a time as this” as a wonderful reassurance to us.
But… when you read it in context, it’s a part of a larger dialogue. And the actual quote is, “who knows?” Mordecai isn’t speaking as a man who is bringing the word of God, but a man wondering if God is doing something in this desperate situation. And that’s quite relatable, isn’t it?
His dialogue to Esther is not, “you are blessed to be here, called for such a time as this”, no it’s a bit bleaker than that.
He’s telling her, if the decree is to wipe out all the Jews, what makes her think her situation s any better? She would die too. She’s in the immediate danger zone. If she doesn’t act, God would do something, God would raise up someone because God won’t let his people die… but she’d probably die. And her household. But who knows, maybe God has placed you here so you can do something before it ever gets to that?
And Esther determined something in her heart at this moment – she did not know if she’d succeed. She may die in the trying, but she had to do something. And that’s a great attitude. She was given a wake up call and she woke right up. If God hadn’t put her in this place for a reason, she’d find out soon enough. But if He had, she wasn’t going to waste the opportunity.
Too often we want surety before we step out. But actually there is much to be said for going without surety, but instead going in faith.
We may not know God’s overall plan, but we will step out and trust Him on the way. And as it happened…. she was called for such a time as this and she saved her people from destruction.
Rev 3:15-16
“‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.
As my name is Luke I always felt a little uncomfortable whenever anyone read this verse out in church. I don’t like the word lukewarm.
But… personal issues aside, this verse should make us uncomfortable. It should make us ask, which one are we? I like a good cup of tea. Piping hot and preferably chamomile. I also liked iced tea. Preferable with crushed ice and a peach flavour. I don’t like tepid tea. That’s the kind of tea you spit back into a cup.
Hot, or cold – at least both of those mean something. Lukewarm means… nothing. Of course God doesn’t want us to be cold on Him, but at least that’s an emotion, at least that’s a decision.
Iced tea starts cold… but left alone it becomes lukewarm. Hot tea also, if left alone just becomes tepid too.
Our faith… if left alone and not pushed or developed becomes something so bland it might as well not be there.
God doesn’t want that from His children. He wants passion. He wants emotion. He wants us to realise how important He is.
Don’t settle for “meh”. Push for something great in your walk with God – He wants that from you. Just ok is not ok.
