"Mordecai learned all that had been done and he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes. And he went through the middle of the city and cried out a loud and bitter cry; he went up to the entrance of the gate of the king, for he could not go to the gate of the king in sackcloth." Esther 4: 1, 2
It's been a while so let's review.
- This is an interpretation of the Book of Esther from the viewpoint that it is a parable, an allegory of the gospel itself.
- The King is God.
- Haman is Satan
- Esther is the Son of Man
- Mordecai and the Jews represent us
Got it? With me? No? Well, then, go back to February of last year and read those posts first. Or just muddle through like you did in high school when you didn't read the assigned pages and everyone was discussing the chapter and you were like, i have no idea what is going on here and i dearly hope the quiz isn't today!
The word has come down from on high. Those who have been deemed the King's enemies are to be executed, not right away, but at a later date. Their goods plundered. All is lost! Those who understand are distraught; they are the dead men walking. They put on sackcloth and ashes and mourn loudly.
"And as the angel of YHWH spoke these words to all the Israelites, the people wept bitterly. And they call the name of this place Bokim (weepers), and there they sacrificed to YHWH." Judges 2: 4, 5
"And when the king heard the words of the law, he tore his garments..." 2 Chron 34: 19
"For all of the people wept when they heard the words of the law." Neh 8:9
Astonishment, fear, trembling, despair, these are what the Law of God bring us if our hearts are responsive and our minds not blinded by our sin. God's law is perfect. God's law is holy. There is none of us righteous, no not one.
"Who may ascend the mountain of YHWH?
And who may stand in his holy place?" Ps 24: 3
"Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in the hollow of his hand? Who has wrapped water in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name and what is the name of his child? For surely you know." Prov 30:4
Mordecai cannot come into the presence of the King himself. He cannot even come into the near presence of the king in mourning. He cannot advocate for himself and his people. Another must do it. Another who has position he does not. Another who has power he does not. Another who has access he does not. If they do not, he and his people will surely die.
But one does take compassion on him.
"And Esther's maids and her eunuchs came and they told her, and the queen was deeply distressed..."
One from the palace does care. One does identify so closely with him and his people that she will share his fate, the fate of her people.
"And no one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven--the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, thus it is necessary that the Son of Man be lifted up..." John 3: 13, 14
"Therefore, since the children share in blood and flesh, he also in like manner shared in these same things..." Heb 2: 14
"Who knows?" Mordecai muses to his niece/daughter Hadassah, his own flesh and blood, "Perhaps you have come to a royal position for a time such as this."
"For everything there is an appointed time, a time for every matter under heaven..." Ecc 3: 1
"But when the fullness of time came, God sent out his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order that he might redeem those under the law...." Gal 4: 4, 5
But Esther is no suicidal fool. She knows the law. She too may die in the attempt to approach the king and all would be in vain. The journey is too great for her, she needs the favor of God.
"Esther replied to Mordecai: "Go, gather all the Jews that are found in Susa and fast for me; do not eat or drink for three days, both night and day. I and my young girls will fast likewise, and then I will go to the king..."
"And they came to a place named Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." And he took along Peter and James and John with him, and he began to be distressed and troubled. And he said to them, "My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake." And going forward a little he fell to the ground and began to pray...." Mark 14:32-35
