Lots of drama in the story of Esther. Through the deception of Haman Esther’s people were to be slaughtered about a year hence. Esther was unaware of this but heard that Mordecai was wearing sackcloth and in anguish. Through palace intrigue, a copy of the decree calling for the extermination of the Jewish people was sent back to the queen along with an order from Mordecai to use her office as queen to intercede for her people.
Nevertheless it was a capital offense for anyone to appear in the inner court of the king without invitation. The exception would be if the king extended his golden scepter to the petitioner. Several years had passed since her wedding to the king; From Esther 4:11, “but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.”
Mordecai’s reply was very to the point. Esther 4:14, “For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
Esther called for a three-day period of fasting by the Jewish population and then she would approach the king in opposition to the law of the land.
Esther had what seemed a wonderful life, however and in my opinion, she was like a bird in a gilded cage to answer whenever they king requested her presence. Since the king had not requested her presence for a month there was a possibility that the rather capricious king had lost interest in her and would not hold out the Golden scepter thereby condemning her to death.
Fasting and praying, Esther put on the "The Whole Armor of God" against Haman, a type of the 20th Century Hitler. Ephesians 6:12, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
Esther was a Jew in a court of pagans. however, she could still say "If I perish, I perish." Esther approached the king, he extended his golden scepter and Esther’s people were spared extermination.
Esther placed the survival of her own people ahead of her own life and her office as queen to the powerful king. She was willing to risk both her royal station and her life. Not only was Esther very brave, she was a very humble woman.
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