NOTES for Est 4:12-14

Based on the story of the Book of Esther, the Jewish community played in life of the country, as we would say today, of its residence a considerable role, if its representatives could even be at the court. But it is necessary to pay for everything: such a role in the public and State life carries with it corresponding risks, which in the conditions of the ancient Middle-Eastern despotism could be quite serious.

So, the court intrigues, in which were involved (maybe involuntarily) the representatives of the Jewish community, who became victims of a big political game, were threatened of death not only them personally, but also all the community as a whole. In such a situation before everyone, belonging to it, arose a question of choice: to stay aside, try to dissociate himself from his, who became now dangerous, or by the measure of the strengths try to change the situation, even at the risk of his own life. It is not of course in every situation that it is necessary to intervene. If it was just about the fight between the parties of the court, hardly one could consider such an intervention as God's work. But in this case the probleme was not in politics and not in the intrigues of the court, but in this lie that the enemies of the Jewish people resorted to.

This lie, an open violation of the commandments, did the intervention on the side of the Jewish party of the court God's affair. Besides, it was about the very existence of the Jewish people: because in case of victory of the anti-Jewish party at the court, its history might have ended. In such situations opens often the meaning of the life of a concrete person and his stay in a known place at a certain moment. We could say that Esther was simply very fortunate in life, and humanely such reasoning would be quite fair.

But in God's plans her stay in the court, as it has proved, has another meaning and is full with another meaning, which until time was not only hidden from others, but from Esther herself. Now that it had be revealed in all fullness, she only had to choose: to accept this God's mission, for which God gave her the possibility to live in the royal palace, or refuse it. Choice, from which depended not only the salvation oh her people, but her own salvation too, in all the fullness of the meaning of that word.

The most essential thing in the fourth chapter of Esther is Esther's decision to expose herself to mortal danger for the sake of her fellow countrymen. Esther had been forced to conceal her origin, and now she must enter the king's presence uninvited (which alone is punishable!) and plead for those whom the royal decree has condemned to extermination. In essence, for Esther this means offering herself as a sacrifice for the salvation of the Jews.

No less important is that before carrying out such a decision, Esther entrusts herself to God's hands, prays herself, and asks all the Jews to pray. The most correct and most beautiful decisions—even the very things God would like to see from us—can turn to dust and into an abyss if we do not pray about them. This is a fact attested by centuries of practice. Esther knows this and follows it at such a tragic moment. In her prayer she confesses God as the only King and gives herself entirely into His power.