Never Enough

Esther 4:15-5:14

One of the email exchanges I had this past week was with one of our workers in South Asia, encouraging her to help set up a meeting with certain church leaders for when I visit next in May. I knew that she would not be keen on the meeting due to conflict in the past, but I thought she would agree to participate for the good of the overall work. We have to maintain these relationships and learn how to work together. I was surprised to receive quite an emotional response, and my adding rational explanations of why the meeting was important seemed to do no good. It seemed like she was just not hearing what I was trying to say, despite claiming no lack of forgiveness on her part.

When I sought advice from Lisa, she asked if I had considered how it might seem for her as a woman to have to again face men who may have come across as abusive to her in the previous conflict. I realized that my male perspective had not taken that into account. From what I understood the prior tension had been resolved, so from a rational point of view there’s no reason why we can’t just move ahead. “Actually,” Lisa added, “doesn’t this situation sound a lot like what you will be speaking about on Sunday? A man asking a woman to do something that feels scary and uncomfortable to her?” Oh, yes, Mordecai and Esther. It’s clearly a dynamic that personally I need to learn more about.

Jonathan left us last time hanging onto the rhetorical question that stands at the center of the Esther narrative: “For such a time as this?” This is like the hinge for the entire book. Everything before has been preparation. It wasn’t by accident that Esther had been taken from her humble beginnings and chosen from among hundreds to replace Vashti as queen. Can she accept that God has placed her where she is for a purpose, to save her people from the destruction planned by Haman? The assignment seems clear – is she willing to take it on? Her adopted father Mordecai has sent the instruction that she is “to go into the king’s presence to beg for mercy and plead with him for her people.” She points out that the penalty is death if she enters the king’s presence without being summoned. And it has been 30 days since he has wanted to see her. He will have to choose to hold out his golden scepter to spare her life, and there is no guarantee that he will. If he happens to be in a bad mood at that moment and hesitates or ignores her, that might be it for her. This was a dangerous proposal.

Mordecai points out that she will likely die anyway under the edict for the destruction of all Jews. This is his rational response, but he carries on with a faith statement. God can save them some other way, but could He have placed her in her position of influence and access for just such a time as this? He wants to turn her eyes to the big picture of what God can and will do.

For such a time as this. Jonathan rightly pointed out that this has a much deeper meaning than just happening to be in the right place at the right time. This is not a coincidence. It is part of God’s sovereign plan that He has understood and orchestrated from the beginning. Did Esther have a sense of God’s plan, His provision and care for His people? As I thought about this, I remembered a letter that was written by the prophet Jeremiah a hundred and some years before. Jeremiah was in Jerusalem, and God gave him a message for some of the exiles who had already been carried off to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar. Were some of these ancestors of Esther? Had copies of this letter spread around throughout the Jewish diaspora, preserved even as the empire changed hands from the Babylonians to the Persians? Some of the exiles had been permitted to return to Jerusalem by Cyrus the Great, maybe 40 or 50 years before Esther was born. This miraculous return was something foretold by Jeremiah. What did this letter say and what would it have meant to Esther in her current situation? This is how it is recorded in Jeremiah 29:

This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.—Jeremiah 29:10-12

God has good plans for His people. He had punished them for their sins, but He was going to restore them. Was Esther confident in the hope and the future that God had for her? Was she sure that He would listen if she called out to Him, that she would be able to find Him if she sought Him with all her heart? Would she be able to take a step of faith and be obedient to what God wanted her to do? Let’s carry on with our reading in Esther chapter 4:

Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” 

So Mordecai went away and carried out all of Esther’s instructions.—Esther 4:15-17 NIV

Esther responded honorably and accepted responsibility to help her people, “Okay, but please gather all the Jews to fast three days for me, and I will also fast with my maids. Then I will risk my own life for my people and go visit the king. If I die, I die.” – Esther 4:15-17 HSP

So, as the Honor Shame Paraphrase says, she accepted responsibility to help her people. She would break the law and appeal to the king. But she wanted this to be a joint effort. She wanted to do this in solidarity with all her people. So she proposes a three-day fast for all of them. Incidentally three days is about as long as someone should go without eating and drinking to avoid the risk of kidney damage. So this is a serious fast. What would be its purpose?

People fast for various reasons. Fasting has been shown to have some health benefits, including weight control. Some people claim that it gives the body a chance to rid itself of toxins. Fasting is a tradition in almost all religions, though it seems somewhat old-fashioned now for many people in the West. It used to be that certain days in the church year would be designated as fasts, and all Christians would be expected to participate. Those are not observed so much anymore. Of course there is the month of Ramadan still observed by almost two billion Muslims around the world, when no one is supposed to eat or drink anything during daylight hours.

Most religions relate fasting to spiritual purification, along with whatever it may do to cleanse the body physically. Fasting is a form of self-imposed suffering, so it tends to be a humbling experience, helping to focus one’s mind and avoid distractions. But the main goal of religious fasting is to make some connection with God, to humble oneself before Him and usually to provide some space to hear from Him. That’s why I feel that this passage in Esther, more than any other, indicates the intentionality of the author to leave God out of this narrative, to make His presence obvious by not mentioning it anywhere. The type of fast that Esther is requesting is meaningless unless it is done in relationship to God and accompanied by prayer. This has to be assumed here. This was not a hunger strike to make a point to other people. No one around them would have cared that the Jews stopped eating and drinking for three days. It would not have served as a protest for the destruction that they were about to face. Yes, within their own community it may have created some sense of solidarity and mutual support: we’re all in this together. But when it came down to it Esther would be standing before the king alone, ready to be struck down if necessary. Only God would be able to help her then.

We have to assume the fast was to beseech God for his mercy, for everyone to humble themselves and pray and seek the Lord’s face and turn from their wicked ways, in order for the Lord to hear and forgive and heal. Do you remember that verse from 2 Chronicles 7? “If my people who are called by my name…” Prayer and fasting would naturally go together, part of humbling oneself and seeking the Lord. But prayer is not mentioned, because God is not mentioned – anywhere in this book.

So we assume that Esther sought God during this time. We might even suppose that she was encouraging herself with the stories of his faithfulness that she had learned, perhaps the fulfillment of Jeremiah’s prophecy of the exiles returning to Jerusalem, God’s gracious plan to give them a future and a hope. Still, she says, “If I perish, I perish.” She was prepared to die, as were Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, as they faced the fiery furnace of King Nebuchadnezzar. They told that king, in Daniel 3,

If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”—Daniel 3:17-18

But even if he does not, we will not give in. We will not turn away from God. Did Esther know this story? She had that same faith. God would also deliver her, whether she lived or died. So what happened? We move on to chapter 5 of Esther:

On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance. When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.—Esther 5:1-2 NIV

After Mordecai and the Jews fasted for three days, Esther the queen donned her royal robes and approached the king. He extended his scepter toward her (a sign of favor and welcome), so Esther humbly approached the king’s throne.   – Esther 5:1-2 HSP

You can imagine Esther standing in the doorway of this hall, facing the king on his throne, holding her breath, wondering what would happen. He holds out his scepter to welcome her, and she acknowledges that by touching the tip of it. What a relief! But can you imagine this type of relationship, where after 30 days of not talking you begin to wonder if your spouse might want you dead – or at least not care whether you died or not? It is not the kind of marriage most of us would choose. But Esther was accepting the role that God had given her, and she presses on with what she knows she has to do.

Then the king asked, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you.”

“If it pleases the king,” replied Esther, “let the king, together with Haman, come today to a banquet I have prepared for him.”

 “Bring Haman at once,” the king said, “so that we may do what Esther asks.”

So the king and Haman went to the banquet Esther had prepared. —Esther 5:3-5 NIV

The king asked her, “What do you want? I shall give you anything, even half of Persia.”

Esther said, “As you please, allow me to honor you and Haman with a banquet.” The king agreed and immediately came to the feast. – Esther 5:3-5 HSP

Esther had not lost favor. The king still likes her, and uses an idiom to encourage her in her request. He realizes that she has not just stopped by for a friendly chat. This must be something serious and urgent. But in keeping with the tradition in most honor-shame cultures, Esther avoids blurting out what she wants. She invites the king to eat with her and includes Haman in the invitation. It would be fitting for a weighty matter to be brought up at the end of a sumptuous meal. I’m surprised, actually, that the HSP does not note just how polite and well-mannered Esther was being here, honoring the king and the culture.

As they were drinking wine, the king again asked Esther, “Now what is your petition? It will be given you. And what is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.”

 Esther replied, “My petition and my request is this: If the king regards me with favor and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king’s question.”—Esther 5:6-8

After eating and drinking, the king invited Esther’s request, “What do you want? I shall give you anything, even half of Persia.”

Esther said with deference, “As you please, if I have found favor in your eyes, then please come to another feast tomorrow, and then I will make my request.” – Esther 5:6-8 HSP

The king reiterates his openness to Esther’s request, but Esther is still not ready to tell him. In some cultures you will only get a real response if you ask a question three times. But that it is probably not what is going on here. Is Esther intimidated by Haman sitting right there, the man intending to destroy her and her people? Maybe this is the part that I don’t understand as a man. Maybe a woman should explain how Esther might have been feeling at this point.

In any case, we will see that this delay was providential because the passage for next Sunday tells how God used it to elevate Mordecai in the eyes of the king and make the king more sympathetic to the Jews. But for now, the tension is building.

Haman went out that day happy and in high spirits. But when he saw Mordecai at the king’s gate and observed that he neither rose nor showed fear in his presence, he was filled with rage against Mordecai. Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home.--Esther 5:9-10a NIV

Haman departed from the private banquet with the king and queen feeling so proud of his exalted status. Then he saw Mordecai at the king’s gate. Mordecai again refused to publicly honor or bow down to him. Though Haman resented the insult to his honor, he continued past Mordecai. – Esther 5:9-10a HSP

The HSP indicates what an insult this was to Haman. Haman’s status had been raised by his private engagement with the king and queen, and here was lowly Mordecai not even acknowledging him or more importantly being intimidated by what Haman could do to him if he wanted. Haman is driven by a lust for power, and here was someone standing in his way, refusing to give in to his control. I wonder if this is the point that Carl was thinking of when he entitled this message, “Never Enough.” Haman’s power and prestige was skyrocketing. His career was right on track. But this one guy Mordecai was such an irritation that it spoiled everything else. He just had to find a way to get rid of him.

Calling together his friends and Zeresh, his wife, Haman boasted to them about his vast wealth, his many sons, and all the ways the king had honored him and how he had elevated him above the other nobles and officials. –Esther 5:10b-11 NIV

When Haman got home, he boasted to his wife and friends about the splendor of his wealth, his many sons, his prominent position above all the king’s officials, and all the ways the king had honored him. – Esther 5:10b-11 HSP

He tries to make himself feel better by boasting about all that he has achieved so far. Pride is the downfall of many people. In Daniel, we have the example of Nebuchadnezzar boasting about himself, and God bringing him very low. God can give grace only to the humble.

 “And that’s not all,” Haman added. “I’m the only person Queen Esther invited to accompany the king to the banquet she gave. And she has invited me along with the king tomorrow. But all this gives me no satisfaction as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the king’s gate.”—Esther 5:12-13 NIV

He said, “Even Esther considers me equal in status with the king. Today she only invited us two for a banquet. But despite all my prominence in the king’s court, my heart is consumed by Mordecai’s honor challenge. I want him to acknowledge my status in front of everyone!” – Esther 5:12-13 HSP

It’s not enough. The Jew Mordecai is that one black spot on his rosy picture, a subtle reminder that he doesn’t have everything under control.

His wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Have a pole set up, reaching to a height of fifty cubits, and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai impaled on it. Then go with the king to the banquet and enjoy yourself.” This suggestion delighted Haman, and he had the pole set up.—Esther 5:14 NIV

Then Haman’s wife and friends said, “Your honor demands his shame. Build an eighty-foot tower to hang Mordecai in public—this will avenge Mordecai’s challenge to your status. Such a dishonorable death will make him a laughingstock before others. People will tremble before you and respect your authority. Then you can feel proud of your exalted status again.” Haman liked the idea and built the tower that very evening.  – Esther 5:14 HSP

So his wife has a lovely solution. Have Mordecai impaled on an 80-foot pole. The HSP notes that this will accomplish more than just getting rid of Mordecai: “Such a dishonorable death will make him a laughingstock before others. People will tremble before you and respect your authority.” This will dishonor Mordecai in a way that will raise Haman’s status still further. Plus this example will demonstrate Haman’s power to everyone else in a way that will discourage any of them from questioning his position.

So things are still looking bad. Esther got away with her audacious approach to the king. But Haman is on the point of doing away with Mordecai for good. And Esther still hasn’t worked up the courage to confront Haman in front of the king. You will have to tune in next time to see how the tables start to turn. God is going to work this out in a miraculous way.

I would like to take some time at the end here to highlight a book that I read last week, God at Work – Your Christian Vocation in All of Life, by Gene Edward Veith Jr. It’s about the theology of vocation, something that Martin Luther wrote quite a bit about. The word vocation has come in modern times to just mean job, as in vocational school or vocational counseling. But it was originally a religious word, from the Latin for calling. Prior to the Reformation, people only had religious vocations, like being a nun or priest. But Luther realized that vocation should apply to all of life, so that we live with a sense of God’s calling in everything that we do. Each of us actually has multiple vocations. You might be a nurse or a teacher, but you might also be a parent and a church member and a citizen of South Carolina. And all of us have the vocation of child at some point in our lives. Some of us are parents and children simultaneously.

The importance of recognizing these as vocations is that then we can recognize God in all aspects of our lives. To quote from Veith,

“Luther goes so far as to say that vocation is a mask of God. That is, God hides Himself in the workplace, the family, the Church, and the seemingly secular society. To speak of God being hidden is a way of describing His presence, as when a child hiding in a room is there, just not seen. To realize that the mundane activities that take up most of our lives – going to work, taking the kids to soccer practice, picking up a few things at the store, going to church – are hiding places for God can be a revelation in itself. Most people seek God in mystical experiences, spectacular miracles, and extraordinary acts they have to do. To find Him in vocation brings Him, literally, down to earth, makes us see how close he really is to us, and transfigures everyday life.”

Another reason vocation is important is because God has chosen to mainly work through people. God created Adam out of dust – but only Adam. Every succeeding generation has come through the vocation of parenthood. God works through parents in His creative process now rather than creating more people out of dust. He has chosen to work through people. You may ask God to heal you miraculously, and He can, but usually He will use a doctor and all the other aspects of the medical system that humans have developed as part of their vocations. He is no less at work in that way than if he heals you directly. We pray for God to give us our daily bread, and He normally uses a farmer, a baker, a truck driver, a store clerk, and all the host of other middlemen to provide that bread to us. Vocation is clearly not reserved just for Christians, though we can think of occupations that are clearly sinful. Even good vocations, like political service or entertainment can be tainted by sin. God intends vocation to be an expression of our love for our neighbor, but selfishness can easily derail that. We serve Jesus by serving our neighbor, as in the story of the sheep and goats in Matthew 25. Jesus says there, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” and that will be the basis of the final judgment.

One of the surprising things that Veith says is that vocation is not self-chosen. We do not choose; we are called – and that is very different. You might say that you want to be a champion football player, but unless you have the talent and ability that cannot be your vocation, no matter how hard you “choose” it. What you are is in many ways a given. Even the choices you do make are a function of who you are. God has made you unique and given you a unique calling. You don’t have to find your vocation as though it is something unknown, awaiting you in the future. For each of us our vocation is right here and now, doing what we are doing for the glory of God, whether we are a child or a retired person. This is what gives meaning to everything we do, from changing a diaper to starting a company. Plus it is through vocation that evangelism can most effectively happen.

There is so much more to this book. You are welcome to borrow it if you want to learn more. The reason it appealed to me is that we tend to rank some activities as more spiritual than others. It was good to be reminded that as we work in all our various vocations that we are actually doing God’s work, not just making a living or taking care of our families or being a good citizen or so on. Do you think of your work in the office or school or at home as God’s work? You need to understand it as your calling from Him and find where He is hidden in it.

So how does all this relate to Esther and her story? Esther’s vocation was to be queen of a pagan empire. But God was in that. Romans 13 teaches us that all civil authority is from God and “the authorities that exist have been established by God.” What God wanted to do was so much more important than what Esther could do simply as queen. As she was open, God would use her royal position to do something amazing and unique. That’s what everyone was fasting and praying for in our reading today. Haman in his vocation as a royal official should have been using that as a platform to show love to his neighbor, but he was completely consumed by selfishness and pride. This was his downfall, because he was acting contrary to his vocation. God could have just struck him with a lightning bolt, but instead he used Mordecai in his vocation, working with integrity, to eventually bring judgment on Haman.

My prayer is that you and I can live every aspect of our lives for God, in our jobs, in our families, in our nation, and in our church. He has made each of us unique and given us a unique calling that encompasses all the various vocations that He has given each of us. There is no secular and sacred when it comes to the work that God wants to do in and through us. He is the one who provides meaning to it all.