Esther 4:16
‘Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther…: “If you altogether hold your peace at this time…, you and your father’s house shall be destroyed!… Who knows whether you have come to the kingdom (of Persia), for such a time as this?” Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer: “Go, gather together all…that are present in Shusan and fast for me, and neither eat nor drink night or day for three days. I also…will fast likewise; and then I will go in to the king (of Persia), which is not according to the law. And if I perish, I perish!’ Esther 4:13-16.
Esther of Shusan is the beautiful heroine of that book of the Bible bearing her name. Living in exile in the Persian empire after the Babylonian captivity, she was adopted by her cousin Mordecai — and rose to become the wife and queen of Ahasuerus or Xerxes the Persian monarch (485-65 B.C.). Her name “Esther” is said to be associated with the Persian word stara or ‘star.’ Her original Hebrew name was “Hadassah” (meaning ‘myrtle’).
Esther used her influence to save her people from a general massacre which the grand vizier Haman had prepared for them. In memory of this deliverance, the fast of Puriym was instituted. The Fast of Esther is observed on the 13th of Adar in commemoration of the three days’ fast observed at her request before her interview with Ahasuerus at which she pleaded successfully for the cause of her condemned people. Her heroism won for her a place beside Deborah and Judith. Puriym celebrates this wonderful and unexpected redemption, which the Lord God gave His people when He saved them from the hands of their enemies at a time it seemed there was no more hope.
The combined wisdom of Mordecai and the courage of Esther, became the means of doing a great service to the very large number of their people living under Persian rule. Owing to the hatred of Haman, the chief court favourite, they were in danger of being massacred en bloc. But Esther revealed her nationality to the king. Her action brought about an entire reversal of the decree. Haman was put to death, and Mordecai was honoured by the king — while Esther’s position was strengthened still further.
Mordecai told Esther that if she were then silent, the Lord would then punish her smallness of heart. But Esther replied that she was well willing to place her own life in danger of death for the sake of her people. On the third day of the fast, Esther went to the king (Esther 5:1). Compare the same manner of speech in Matthew 12:40 in connection with the remaining of Jonah in the belly of the great fish, and of Christ in His grave when He redeemed His people!
Esther shows us that God spared her people, from whom Christ would be born according to His humanity. For God so preserved His people, even in such a dark period of history. During the three days’ fast, doubtless there were prayers to God for His help.
Calvin says in his Institutes IV:12:17: “When pestilence begins to stalk abroad or famine or war or when any other disaster seems to impend over a province and people (Esther 4:16), then also it is the duty…to exhort the Church to fasting.” Esther did — and so she did not perish!
