Today, we’re continuing our Godly Woman Series, and reading about purpose from Esther 4!

Esther 4:10 Then she instructed him to say to Mordecai, 11 “All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold scepter to them and spares their lives. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king.”

12 When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, 13 he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14 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?”

15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “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.”

Influence vs. Purpose

A position gives influence, but not necessarily purpose.

Esther’s position gave her influence, but Esther was afraid, she told Mordecai that no one went before the king unless they were called on by him.

She was the only one in the position to do something about the Jews upcoming annihilation. But she was scared. The pressures of the position were too great for her.

Whatever position you are in – that position has some level of influence.

We know from Esther 2 that Mordecai had taken her in as his own daughter. And you would think that a father-figure would give some encouragement.

But Mordecai doesn’t encourage her, instead he gives her a verbal slap in the face.

He tells her, “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house that you alone of all the Jews will escape.” And then he says, “If you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place.”

Like Esther, we’re all called by God to advance His kingdom, we’ve all been placed in positions of influence.

But your position does not secure your purpose.

You could be in the best position to make a difference, you could have the influence, the money, the platform, but your position does not secure your purpose.

Your obedience does.

I’m reminded of Christian celebrities who have the influence and the platform to share the love of Christ and they choose not to do it. When the spotlight is on them, the pressures of their position becomes too great.

And if we’re not careful, the same thing can happen to us.

We can get so attached to our position: pastor, business owner, worship leader, etc. that we think our position alone guarantees our purpose.

But if we’re not willing to use that influence when the time comes, then our position is wasted.

God’s Kingdom will still advance, it will just happen without you.

We hear the end of Esther 4:14 all the time: “Who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

We must be willing to lay down our positions for our purpose.

In verse 16 Esther does an about-face, she went from being afraid to enter the king’s court to saying, “If I perish, I perish.”

Why?

Because she had traded had laid down her position for purpose.

Resources Mentioned:

The Esther Bible Study is now in the Thrive Bible Study Vault