Mordecai then went away and did everything as Esther had ordered him.
Esther 4 ends with a single quiet sentence: the man who had warned Esther now takes his orders from her. Behind it lies a threat to the whole Jewish people, and a queen who is ready to perish as she goes in to the king. And God's name never once appears in the book.
Faith Answers Faith
Mordecai had pressed Esther to act, and was certain that rescue would come whether she moved or not. When her answer came back, he did not argue with it — he carried it out.
William KellyIt is the undaunted Jew who now complies with everything Esther ordered. He had warned her plainly and seriously that ruin would fall on her and her father's house if she stayed silent. But at the same time he was fully certain that relief and deliverance would come from another place. This is the victory that overcomes, even faith, as we may apply here. The queen is ready to perish in such a cause, if need be. She is strengthened by the unseen hand that holds up the universe — the hand that was to turn the king's heart at His will.
What He Obeyed
Esther's instruction was a fast, and Mordecai's obedience means he called the people to it. One writer notices what is missing: the perfumes that had once prepared Esther for the king.
William KellyNot a word about the perfumes now. Not a word about the sweet fragrances to prepare herself for the king's presence. She had submitted to that; it was the king's order. But now, although she does not mention God, it is clear where her heart is. She goes with a most unusual preparation, but an excellent one at such a time. It is fasting, a great sign of humbling oneself before God. Yet even here God is not named.
Fasting Without A Word Of Prayer
Commentators differ on the silence around prayer. Kelly treats the fast as earnest prayer, even though the fasters never name God. Grant reads the silence as a sign of the people's poor spiritual state.
William KellyEven here it is striking to notice that, though her faith shines, the Name stays as secret as ever. Yet fasting without a doubt implied the most earnest prayer to Him who dwelt in the thick darkness. He would hear just as surely in the palace at Shushan as in the temple at Jerusalem.
Leslie M. GrantFasting is negative. It stands for self-judgment. But what about the more important positive action of prayer to God? There is no mention of it. We would expect them to pray. Yet God leaves out any mention of prayer, because the Jews were in an unprofitable spiritual condition.
One Command, A People United
Mordecai's obedience did more than start a fast. It brought the Jews together, and it made the queen's background public.
Leslie M. GrantMordecai did as Esther asked. This drew all the Jews in Shushan together in a common cause, and all would now learn that the Queen was Jewish.
For one writer, that moment looks ahead. He reads Esther as a picture of a faithful part of Israel in a future time of great trouble:
H. L. RossierAll this leads to one conclusion: now Esther must make herself known. The great tribulation will bring to light the character of the Jewish remnant. Until then Esther had remained hidden. Now, in this trial, her origin will appear in broad daylight. At the moment when God steps in, the nation will be recognized openly.
The Willingness That Points Beyond Itself
Esther was ready to die for her people. One writer sets her famous words beside a far greater self-giving.
Arno Clemens GaebeleinIn giving this command she expressed her dependence on God and put Him first before attempting to go in to the king. And then her noble word — If I perish, I perish. Her faith measured up to Mordecai's expectation. She is ready to sacrifice herself to save her people. How it reminds us of Him who did more than say, "If I perish, I perish" — who gave Himself and took the curse of the law on Himself.
The Hand That Is Never Named
God is not named in this verse, and not once in the whole book.
J. N. DarbyMany have noticed that the name of God is not found in the Book of Esther. This is characteristic. God does not show Himself. The government of the world had fallen to that throne, with all its power and all its mistakes. But God holds the reins behind it by His providence. He watches over the fulfilment of His purposes, and over everything they need. And He cares for His people, whatever their condition and however strong their enemies.
Summary
- Faith spreads. Mordecai was sure deliverance would come. That confidence stirred Esther, and her answer sent him back to obey.
- Faith fasts. He obeyed a call to fast — a great sign of humbling oneself before God, with the perfumes laid aside.
- Faith is quiet. Prayer is never mentioned. Commentators differ. Did the fast imply prayer, or does the silence show the people's poor spiritual state?
- Faith gathers. One act of obedience drew every Jew in Shushan into a common cause. It also brought the queen's hidden background into the open.
- Faith is answered. God's name never appears in the book, yet He holds the reins behind the throne. And Esther's "If I perish, I perish" points to One who gave Himself outright.