Esther 4: 4-17
4 When Queen Esther’s maids and eunuchs came and told her about Mordecai, she was deeply distressed. She sent clothing to him to replace the burlap, but he refused it.5Then Esther sent for Hathach, one of the king’s eunuchs who had been appointed as her attendant. She ordered him to go to Mordecai and find out what was troubling him and why he was in mourning.6 So Hathach went out to Mordecai in the square in front of the palace gate. 7 Mordecai told him the whole story, including the exact amount of money Haman had promised to pay into the royal treasury for the destruction of the Jews. 8 Mordecai gave Hathach a copy of the decree issued in Susa that called for the death of all Jews. He asked Hathach to show it to Esther and explain the situation to her. He also asked Hathach to direct her to go to the king to beg for mercy and plead for her people. 9 So Hathach returned to Esther with Mordecai’s message. 10 Then Esther told Hathach to go back and relay this message to Mordecai: 11 “All the king’s officials and even the people in the provinces know that anyone who appears before the king in his inner court without being invited is doomed to die unless the king holds out his gold scepter. And the king has not called for me to come to him for thirty days.” 12 So Hathach[a] gave Esther’s message to Mordecai. 13 Mordecai sent this reply to Esther: “Don’t think for a moment that because you’re in the palace you will escape when all other Jews are killed. 14 If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?” 15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go and gather together all the Jews of Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will do the same. And then, though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king. If I must die, I must die.” 17 So Mordecai went away and did everything as Esther had ordered him.”
This is the story of Esther, a young woman, who hid her identity to survive. But when the time of hiding had to come to an end, Esther was obedient, took a stand for justice, and became an advocate for her people during a life-threatening time.
We can see that some of the women in the Bible were not emphasised as much as the men were. It is evident that girls and women were sometimes overlooked, and often still are today. Yet, God used the women in the Bible and their circumstances to give them a voice, power and a choice. God used Esther’s identity and obedience to give her guidance and courage to go before the king in order to save her people. However, saving her people did not happen right away - it took time. To make change - positive and good change in the world – takes time.
In verse 11, we can assume that Esther was being cautious when she told her cousin Mordecai that any person, no matter their title, even the queen, knows not to go before the king unless called, otherwise they would face death. Sometimes we, too, are cautious to stand up for what is right and use our voice to help others because of the reactions we may get if we do so.
In verse 14, we can see that God uses Mordecai in this moment to mentor Esther and give her a different perspective of her situation and power. God provides us with people to encourage and mentor us so that we know what is right and what is wrong, and at the right moment – to stand up for justice.
When we feel alone or powerless, we must remember we have God who listens to us and gives us the courage to become powerful in our situation. To stand up for what is right and just.
The International Day of the Girl, celebrated on October 11th, was established by the United Nations to honour and recognise girls worldwide. This year marks the 10th anniversary to celebrate girls' rights and activism. Esther exemplifies advocacy and she is seen as an advocate then and now.
How do you advocate for justice? How do you use your voice to speak up for others? Will you be like Esther – obedient to God, take on courage and stand up for justice? Or will you stay silent?
Download a printable file here: Esther: An Advocate