For such a time as this

(Esther 4:13-14) Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not imagine that you in the king’s palace can escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silent at this time, liberation and rescue will arise for the Jews from another place, and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?”

We all encounter challenges and dangerous situations at different times in our lives. Too often when this happens, we think either:

• That we will escape the danger or be spared from it for some reason.
• That someone else will take care of it.

Sometimes we are fortunate and this happens, but Mordecai reminded Esther that things were too dangerous to sit back, do nothing, and hope that someone else will deal with it. He also told her that there is a good possibility that God purposely made her queen at that specific time in history so that she could be the one who delivers the Jewish people. In the famous words of Mordecai, “Who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?”

This is advice we all need to hear. I do not always spring into action when bad things happen. Sometimes I do nothing except hope that someone else will get involved and deal with the problem. I’ve been fortunate that I haven’t suffered badly because of this, but I need to heed Mordecai’s advice. I also know that many people are just like me. 

There is a popular saying, “Better safe than sorry.” It’s often better to play it safe and do something instead of simply hoping someone else will take of care the problem. If every person hopes that someone else will take care of things, no one will get involved and then we are guaranteed to suffer. It often is better to be safe than sorry.

As I read the book of Esther I am also reminded that sometimes when we find ourselves in danger or difficulty we think that we are in the wrong place at the wrong time. It is true that something bad is happening, but Mordecai reminds us that there is more to the story. Could it be that God knows what is happening, and that God might even be involved, directing everything that is going on?

Is it possible that God brought the people of Israel to Persia, or at least allowed it to happen? Did God know that Haman would ultimately come into power and plan to kill the Jewish people? God is all knowing (knows everything), so we know for sure that God knew about all that happened to Israel. Is it possible that God chose to use this opportunity (Israel being taken into captivity) to deal with Haman and change public opinion about the Jewish people? [see Esther 8:17]

Esther listened to Mordecai and told the King all that Haman was going to do. The King was not happy that Haman was planning on killing his wife so Haman was hung on the same gallows he built to kill Mordecai. 

Since Mordecai was the person who saved the King’s life and was Esther’s cousin he rewarded Mordecai. Just like Esther, it turns out that Mordecai was in the right place at the right time. We could have asked Mordecai the same question he asked Esther, “Who knows whether you were brought here to Persia for such a time as this?”

(Esther 8:1-2) On that day King Ahasuerus gave the house of Haman, the enemy of the Jews, to Queen Esther; and Mordecai came before the king, because Esther had disclosed what he was to her. Then the king took off his signet ring, which he had taken away from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.

(Esther 8:8) Now you write to the Jews as you see fit, in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s signet ring; for a decree which is written in the name of the king and sealed with the king’s signet ring may not be revoked.”

As a result of all that happened, the King gave Mordecai his signet ring which gave him the authority to enact laws in the land which people were obligated to follow and obey.

The story of Mordecai reminds me of the story of Joseph. Joseph experienced captivity just like the people of Israel in the Book of Esther. His brothers sold him as a slave, and then he wound up in jail. But while in jail Joseph interpreted a dream which got the attention of the King of Egypt. The King of Egypt rewarded Joseph and he became the #2 leader, right behind the King. The story of Joseph is similar to the story of Mordecai and I believe we could have said to Joseph, “Who knows whether you were sent to jail for such a time as this?”

(Romans 8:28) And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

It is not a good thing when people are taken into captivity, sold as a slave or sent to jail when they did nothing wrong. But Paul reminds us of this beautiful promise which I believe Esther, Mordecai, Joseph, and many other people of faith have experienced before. There are times that bad things happen. Sometimes we wind up in the wrong place, at the wrong time. But, since God causes all things to work together for good (for His children), we discover that while we were in the wrong place at the wrong time, we were also in the right place, at the right time.

Celebrate Purim

(Esther 9:20-21) Then Mordecai recorded these events, and he sent letters to all the Jews who were in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, both near and far, obliging them to celebrate the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same month, annually.

Ever since that day, Jewish people all over the world celebrate the feast of Purim when God delivered His people. God loves the Jewish people (His firstborn son) and all His other children. Not only does He love us, but He offers to protect us in times of trouble. I encourage you to celebrate Purim. It is a great time to celebrate how God delivered you from the consequences of your sins and other bad things that have happened in your life. Happy Purim!

CLICK HERE TO WATCH FULL MOVIE1

Ronald Goldberg

Ron Goldberg is a Jew who belongs to Jesus. He regularly speaks to all denominations and faiths about his spiritual journey. Ron was raised as a traditional Jew and was sent to deprogramming by his parents and rabbi in hopes of getting him to reject Yeshua (Jesus). He shares how he met the Jewish Jesus and helps other people meet the Jewish Jesus. Have you met the Jewish Jesus?