Esther 4
Dear RTB’ers,
And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this? (v. 14b) That’s my memory verse from Esther, although I’ve typically translated it as, “Who knows but that I (we?) have been called for such a time as this?” I’ve even seen T-shirts expressing some similar words. And I’ve thought of this verse often when I’ve found myself in a situation where the “responsibility” (or “authority”) of my position could do someone or a group of people some good. It’s important in those situations for us to realize that it’s the Lord and His workings that have put us there. When I came to Slovakia in 2004 for a year-long academic appointment, a man in my prayer group said to me, “It’ll be interesting to find out why the Lord has sent you there.” That was an eye-opener for me, to imagine that I had been sent there. And now, more than a dozen trips here since that 2004 time, it’s clear that God has had a purpose in having Carol and me here for that time. And we’re enormously grateful for having been sent!
My Bible Gateway sidebar focused on a different few words in this chapter, “…if I perish, I perish.” (v. 16b) They noted that these words have “become an anthem for selflessly and trustfully moving forward, even when outcomes are uncertain.” In my future readings of Esther, I’m sure that these words will stand out. Standing up for what is right, whatever the outcome. Yes…!
Blessings!
See also: September 16 (2023) / Esther 1-5.