Mordecai Fasts and Weeps | Esther 4:1-3 | Week 4 Day 1 Study of Esther

Weeping in sackcloth and ashes was so common a thing in the ancient world that king Ahaseurus made a rule that no one was allowed to enter his presence in that condition. As we look closely at Persia’s king in the coming chapters, we will see that something is definitely wrong. He has completely checked out of wanting to be a ruler.

To his credit, when you’ve conquered such a geographically large and ethnically diverse people, there must have been a never-ending supply of people coming to the king with their sad story of injustice and loss. If he allowed one person in outwardly showing their mourning to make their point, it would never end. So the kings’ rule was that people were allowed to do it, even in the capitol, just no anywhere near him. He didn’t want his good times ruined with that noise.

For the Jews, it wasn’t just Mordecai. Every Jew who heard this news and understood the seriousness of the situation joined him in sackcloth and ashes. It seems like the Jews in Susa had a good idea that the king had checked out and turned over the kingdom to Haman to rule in his place, and that most definitely called for fasting and weeping in sackcloth and ashes. They knew his resolve and they knew they needed a miracle only God could bring.

Do you think you would have taken the situation as seriously as Mordecai and the Jews did?

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Esther is simultaneously a victory and a tragedy. In some ways, If you look at it through a modern lens, it should be called the Victory of Mordecai and the Tragedy of Esther. Esther loses her parents and then is taken into the harem of a despotic king to be used as he wishes. Mordecai ends up, like Daniel, a very high official and ruler in his expatriated land. 

This will be a great study of Esther as we look at the emotions, the world and the meanings of one of the most cherished, and often misunderstood books of the Bible.

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