For Such a Time as This
Mordecai calls Esther to risk her life by approaching the king uninvited, reminding her that she may have come to the kingdom for such a time as this.
Esther 4:1-17
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The Story
When Mordecai learned all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth with ashes, and went into the midst of the city, crying out with a loud and bitter cry. He came before the king's gate, for no one could enter wearing sackcloth. Throughout every province where the decree arrived, there was great mourning among the Jews—fasting, weeping, wailing, with many lying in sackcloth and ashes.
Esther's maidens and chamberlains came and told her. The queen was deeply distressed. She sent garments to clothe Mordecai and remove his sackcloth, but he refused them. So Esther called for Hatach, one of the king's chamberlains appointed to attend her, and commanded him to learn what troubled Mordecai and why.
Hatach went to Mordecai in the street before the king's gate. Mordecai told him everything—all that had happened, the exact sum of money Haman had promised to pay into the treasuries for the destruction of the Jews. He gave Hatach a copy of the written decree issued in Shushan, charging him to show it to Esther, declare it to her, and command her to go before the king to make supplication and petition for her people.
Hatach returned and told Esther Mordecai's words. She sent this reply: 'All the king's servants and the people of the provinces know that any man or woman who comes to the king into the inner court without being called faces one law—to be put to death, except those to whom the king holds out the golden scepter, that they may live. And I have not been called to come to the king these thirty days.'
When Mordecai received Esther's words, he sent back this response: 'Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king's palace any more than all the other Jews. For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?'
These words pierced Esther's heart. Her position of safety was an illusion—Haman's decree condemned her too. Her silence would not save her. But more than that, Mordecai suggested divine purpose in her elevation. God had positioned her precisely here, precisely now, for this very crisis.
Esther sent her answer: 'Go, gather all the Jews present in Shushan, and fast for me. Neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maidens and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is not according to the law. And if I perish, I perish.'
Mordecai went his way and did according to all that Esther had commanded. The orphan girl had become a woman of extraordinary courage, willing to lay down her life for her people.
Esther's Big Choice
Kids Version
When Mordecai heard about Haman's terrible law, he was so sad! He tore his clothes and cried and cried. All the Jewish people everywhere were crying too.
Queen Esther heard that Mordecai was very upset. She sent her helper to ask him, 'What's wrong?'
Mordecai sent back a message with a copy of Haman's mean law. 'You have to help!' he told Esther. 'Go talk to the king! Ask him to save our people!'
Esther was scared. She sent a message back: 'There's a big problem. If anyone goes to see the king without being invited, they could be killed! The only way to be safe is if the king holds out his golden stick to you. And he hasn't asked to see me for a whole month!'
Mordecai sent another message. This one was very serious: 'Don't think you'll be safe just because you're the queen. You're Jewish too! Haman's law will hurt you also. If you stay quiet now, God will save the Jewish people some other way—but you and your family will be in trouble. Maybe God made you queen for exactly this reason—to save us right now!'
Esther thought hard. Mordecai was right! Maybe this was why God let her become queen—to help her people at just the right time!
Esther was scared, but she was also brave. She sent this message back: 'Tell all the Jewish people in the city not to eat or drink for three days. Pray for me! My helpers and I will do the same. Then I will go to the king, even though it's against the law. And if I die trying to help, then I die.'
Wow! Esther was willing to risk her life to save God's people! That takes a LOT of courage!
So all the Jewish people fasted and prayed for three days. They asked God to protect Esther and help her be brave.
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Scripture — Esther 4:1-17 (KJV)
1When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry;
2And came even before the king's gate: for none might enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth.
3And in every province, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes. many: Heb. sackcloth and ashes were laid under many
4So Esther's maids and her chamberlains came and told it her. Then was the queen exceedingly grieved; and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from him: but he received it not. chamberlains: Heb. eunuchs
5Then called Esther for Hatach, one of the king's chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and gave him a commandment to Mordecai, to know what it was, and why it was. appointed: Heb. set before her
6So Hatach went forth to Mordecai unto the street of the city, which was before the king's gate.
7And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king's treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them.
8Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people.
9And Hatach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai.
10Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordecai;
11All the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.
12And they told to Mordecai Esther's words.
13Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews.
14For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? enlargement: Heb. respiration
15Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer,
16Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish. present: Heb. found
17So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him. went: Heb. passed
Memory Verse
“When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry;”
— Esther 4:1 (KJV)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story of “For Such a Time as This” in the Bible?
Mordecai calls Esther to risk her life by approaching the king uninvited, reminding her that she may have come to the kingdom for such a time as this. This story is found in Esther 4:1-17.
Where is “For Such a Time as This” found in the Bible?
“For Such a Time as This” is found in Esther 4:1-17, in the book of Esther.
What can children learn from “For Such a Time as This”?
This story teaches children about Calling, Courage, Faith, Purpose, Divine timing. When Mordecai heard about Haman's plan, he asked Esther to help save God's people. It was dangerous, but Esther was brave. She said, 'If I die trying to help, then I die.'