Modern readers of Esther may expect a storybook presentation of a princess being swept away by a king, but they will quickly become disappointed. As a young Jewish girl, Hadassah (Esther) was taken into the king’s harem.
Scripture does not provide insight into her thoughts toward king Xerxes or how she felt being in a harem. Xerxes was not known for his fair treatment or respect for women, as demonstrated by his actions toward Vashti (Esther 1:10-12).
The focus is not on Esther’s “love story.” Rather, the focus is on God’s love for his people as He worked in the lives of Esther and her cousin Mordecai for the good of Israel.
The Book of Esther relates how the Jewish people were threatened and at risk of being annihilated. In the face of unsurmountable odds, Esther demonstrated faith by recognizing that God had placed her in the position of queen for a purpose.
Courageously, despite the risk to her own life, she chose to obey God’s plan and plead for her people before the Persian king.
For Such a Time as This Meaning
The words of Esther 4:14 are well-known: “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”
Although Christians often think of this verse as a motivational motto, it is better seen as a reminder of how God puts us into positions and situations for His purpose. For Esther, the words of her cousin urged her to act so that God could use her to rescue the Jews.
Appearing before the king was dangerous. Esther knew she could lose her life. As she said in her reply to Mordecai, “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” (Esther 4:16, NLT).
Bible scholars have regularly noted the distinct lack of any mention of the Lord in the book of Esther. Although His name is never explicitly stated, there is evidence of His divine purpose and work.
Esther was not in her royal position by accident. King Xerxes’ decision to make her queen was not a random event either. God was at work. He is the one who placed Esther in a royal position for a specific time and reason.
Because of God, an event that was at first devastating became a cause of celebration. Once the Jews heard they could defend themselves from the planned attack, they rejoiced.
As Esther 8:16 says, “For the Jews it was a time of happiness and joy, gladness and honor.” The Jewish people continue to celebrate God’s deliverance by observing Purim (Esther 9:26-28).
God used Esther and Mordecai to bring about the deliverance of the Jewish people. The event that originally marked the end of the Jewish people was transformed into a time of rescue and rejoicing. Furthermore, many people placed faith in the Lord because of these events (Esther 8:17).
Context and Background of Esther 4:14
Haman the Agagite was a descendant of King Agag of the Amalekites (1 Samuel 15:3,9). Saul’s past failure to obey God resulted in Haman living in the Persian kingdom, jealous of Mordecai.
Added to Haman’s jealousy was the fact that Mordecai refused to bow down to him or show him honor (Esther 3:2). Once Haman learned that Mordecai was Jewish, he developed a plan to annihilate the Jews.
Lying, Haman tricked King Xerxes into signing an edict that marked the destruction of the Jewish people (Esther 3:8).
As Haman said, “If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will give ten thousand talents of silver to the king’s administrators for the royal treasury” (Esther 3:9). Thus, every Jewish person was in danger of being slaughtered.
When the Jews, including Mordecai, heard about the edict, they mourned (Esther 4:1-3). Dressed in sackcloth, they entered a time of fasting and prayer.
Queen Esther saw Mordecai, her cousin, in sackcloth and sent someone to inquire why he was distressed (Esther 4:4-7). He sent word back with a copy of the edict, reminding Esther that the edict did not spare her even though she was in a royal position.
Urging her to have courage, he told Esther, “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14).
Because of Mordecai’s words, Esther boldly appeared before king Xerxes, risking her life. No one could approach the king without his request. Instant death awaited her if he failed to extend the royal scepter.
Knowing that God had placed her in a position of power for this specific moment, Esther pleaded for her people. The Lord used a Jewish queen to save the Jews and preserve a remnant of His people.
Opportunities and Obedience
Esther was not the only person to be placed in a specific place and time for a purpose. We can see how God used people throughout the Bible: Elijah in the northern Kingdom of Israel (1 Kings 18), Naaman’s servant girl (2 Kings 5), and Daniel in the courts of Babylon (Daniel 2). The Lord placed these people in these positions and does the same for believers today.
However, like Esther, we have a choice to work within God’s plan. Mordecai reminded his cousin that if she refused to act, “relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish” (Esther 4:14). The Lord had divinely placed Esther in a royal position, but she had to choose to obey Him.
We, too, have a choice to obey or disobey God. His purpose will still be done if we disobey, but we will miss the opportunity to be part of His plan.
For example, when the Pharisees demanded that the people stop praising Jesus as He entered Jerusalem, Christ told them that even if the people were silent, the stones would cry out in praise (Luke 19:40).
The Lord does not need us, but He often uses humans to bring about his good purpose. If we love God, we want to be part of His plan.
Therefore, we must acknowledge that God gives us unique opportunities and act obediently in the situations He places us.
Just as Esther bravely chose to obey the Lord, we also can act courageously in obedience to God. Some of us may encounter risky situations, but we can step out in faith confidently, assured of Jesus’ promise that He is always with us (Matthew 28:20).
Why "For Such a Time as This" Matters so Much
Mordecai’s words to Esther are significant for Christians today. The events of the Book of Esther show us that God was working to preserve His chosen people even though His name is never mentioned.
Furthermore, believers can learn and trust that the Lord places people in certain positions for His purposes. He even uses situations of hardship for His good, just like He did for the Jews of Esther’s day.
The Lord gives all believers opportunities to serve and glorify Him. Like Esther, we can choose to obey God and live out His will for our lives. Even if the situation is difficult or painful, the Lord can use our obedience to transform the circumstance into a cause for celebration and praise.
For further reading:
Esther's First Connection to the Gospel
What Strength Did Queen Vashti and Queen Esther Show?
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