Matthew Henry Commentary Esther 4
Matthew Henry Commentary
Esther 4
Matthew Henry Commentary
Esther 4
"Now when Mordecai knew all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry; and he came even before the king`s gate: for none might enter within the king`s gate clothed with sackcloth. And in every province, whithersoever the king`s commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes. And Esther`s maidens and her chamberlains came and told it her; and the queen was exceedingly grieved: and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take his sackcloth from off him; but he received it not." — Esther 4:1-4 (ASV)
Mordecai avowed his relation to the Jews. Public calamities, which oppress the church of God, should affect our hearts more than any private affliction, and it is particularly distressing to cause sufferings to others. God will protect those who are exposed to evil because of the tenderness of their consciences.
"Then called Esther for Hathach, one of the king`s chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and charged him to go to Mordecai, to know what this was, and why it was. So Hathach went forth to Mordecai unto the broad place of the city, which was before the king`s gate. And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and the exact sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king`s treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them. Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given out in Shushan to destroy them, to show it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him, for her people. And Hathach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai. Then Esther spake unto Hathach, and gave him a message unto Mordecai [saying]: All the king`s servants, and the people of the king`s provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law for him, that he be put to death, except those to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days. And they told to Mordecai Esther`s words. Then Mordecai bade them return answer unto Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king`s house, more than all the Jews. For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then will relief and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place, but thou and thy father`s house will perish: and who knoweth whether thou art not come to the kingdom for such a time as this? Then Esther bade them return answer unto Mordecai, Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast in like manner; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish. So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him." — Esther 4:5-17 (ASV)
We are prone to shrink from services that are accompanied by danger or loss. But when the cause of Christ and his people demands it, we must take up our cross and follow him. When Christians are inclined to prioritize their own comfort or safety, rather than the public good, they should be blamed. The law was explicit; everyone knew it.
This is not the case in the court of the King of kings. To the footstool of his throne of grace we may always come boldly and be sure of an answer of peace to the prayer of faith. We are welcome, even into the holiest, through the blood of Jesus. Providence so ordered it that, just then, the king's affections had cooled toward Esther. Her faith and courage were consequently more tested; and God's goodness, evident in the favor she now found with the king, therefore shone all the brighter.
Haman undoubtedly did what he could to set the king against her. Mordecai suggests that it was a cause which, one way or another, would certainly be successful, and in which, therefore, she might safely engage. This was the language of strong faith, which did not stagger at the promise when the danger was most threatening, but against hope believed in hope. He who by sinful devices will save his life, and will not trust God with it in the way of duty, will lose it in the way of sin.
Divine Providence considered this matter in bringing Esther to be queen. Therefore you are bound by gratitude to do this service for God and his church; otherwise, you do not fulfill the purpose for which you were raised up. There is wise counsel and design in all the providences of God, which will prove that they are all intended for the good of the church. Each of us should consider for what purpose God has placed us where we are. We should strive to fulfill that purpose and take care not to let it slip.
Having solemnly entrusted our souls and our cause to God, we may venture upon his service. All dangers are trifling compared with the danger of losing our souls. But the trembling sinner is often as much afraid of casting himself, without reserve, upon the Lord's free mercy, as Esther was of coming before the king. Let him venture, as she did, with earnest prayer and supplication, and he will fare as well as, and even better than, she did.
The cause of God must prevail: we are safe in being united to it.
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