he Jews lament their danger. (1-4) Esther undertakes to plead
for the Jews. (5-17)
Verses 1-4: Mordecai avowed his relation to the Jews. Public
calamities, that oppress the church of God, should affect our
hearts more than any private affliction, and it is peculiarly
distressing to occasion sufferings to others. God will keep
those that are exposed to evil by the tenderness of their
consciences.
Verses 5-17: We are prone to shrink from services that are attended
with peril or loss. But when the cause of Christ and his people
demand it, we must take up our cross, and follow him. When
Christians are disposed to consult their own ease or safety,
rather than the public good, they should be blamed. The law was
express, all knew it. It is not thus in the court of the King of
kings: to the footstool of his throne of grace we may always
come boldly, and may 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 thereby were the more tried; and God's goodness in the
favour she now found with the king, thereby shone the brighter.
Haman no doubt did what he could to set the king against her.
Mordecai suggests, that it was a cause which, one way or other,
would certainly be carried, and which therefore she might safely
venture in. This was the language of strong faith, which
staggered not at the promise when the danger was most
threatening, but against hope believed in hope. He that by
sinful devices will save his life, and will not trust God with
it in the way of duty, shall lose it in the way of sin. Divine
Providence had regard to this matter, in bringing Esther to be
queen. Therefore thou art bound in gratitude to do this service
for God and his church, else thou dost not answer the end of thy
being 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. We should, every one, consider for
what end God has put us in the place where we are, and study to
answer that end: and take care that we do not let it slip.
Having solemnly commended 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 shall fare as well and better than she did.
The cause of God must prevail: we are safe in being united to
it.
he Jews lament their danger. (1-4) Esther undertakes to plead
for the Jews. (5-17)