1 When Mordecai learned what had happened, he tore his cloth es, put on
sackcloth and ashes, and walked through the city crying bitterly and loudly.
2 But he came only as far as the king¡¯s gate, for no one in sackcloth was
allowed to enter.
3 In every province where the king¡¯s edict was read, there was great
mourning among the Jews; fasting and weeping with lamentation, and many of
them slept on sackcloth and ashes.
4 Queen Esther¡¯s maids and eu nuchs informed her about Mordecai. Overcome
with grief, she sent clothes for Mordecai to put on in stead of his
sackcloth, but he re fused.
5 Esther summoned Hathach, one of the king¡¯s eunuchs assigned to attend to
her, and ordered him to find out the reason for Mordecai¡¯s action.
6 So Hathach went out to Morde cai in the public square in front of the
king¡¯s gate.
7 Mordecai told him all that had happened, as well as the exact amount of
money Haman had promised to contribute to the royal treasury.
8 He also gave Hathach a copy of the written de cree for their destruction,
to show and explain to Esther. He further told him to urge her to go to the
king to beg for mercy and intercede for her people: ¡°Re member the days of
your lowly estate when you were brought up in my charge. Haman, who is next
to the king, has asked for our death. Pray to the Lord and speak to the king
for us. Save us from death.¡±
9 Hathach returned to Esther and told her what Mordecai had said.
10 In reply, Esther gave Hathach this message for Mordecai,
11 ¡°All the king¡¯s servants and the people of his pro vinces know that any
man or woman who goes to the king in the inner court without being summoned
suffers the death penalty, unless the king grants them their life by holding
out to them his golden scepter. But I have not been called to go to the king
for thirty days now.¡±
12 When Mordecai received Es ther¡¯s words,
13 he sent back this answer, ¡°Do not suppose that be cause you are in the
king¡¯s palace, you alone of all the Jews will escape.
14 If you remain silent now, relief and deliverance will come to the Jews
from another source, but you and your father¡¯s family will perish. And who
knows ¨C perhaps you have come to the throne for just such a time as this.¡±
15 Esther sent back her reply to Mor decai,
16 ¡°Go, gather all the Jews who are in Susa. Fast for me ¨C all of you; do
not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will also
fast. Then I will go to the king, even if it is against the law. If I die
for this, let it be.¡±
17 Mordecai went away and carried out Esther¡¯s instructions.
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Comments Esther, Chapter 4
• 4.12 In difficult times, there are always those in better positions who
think about saving themselves or their jobs. They prefer to keep quiet
instead of being in solidarity with those who are mistreated or deprived of
their rights. Moreover, if they have more knowledge of religion, they know
how to excuse their silence. That is why Mordecai insists on reminding
Esther of her responsibility.
Fast, pray to God for me. Es ther¡¯s great con fidence in her people¡¯s
prayers makes her willing to put her life in danger. Like Mordecai, Esther
understands that God will not let his people disappear.
¡¡