Esther-The Power of the Golden Scepter

By Mary Vee
Esther 4

From Hathach's Journal

Photo Courtesy

My name is Hathach. I have been appointed to serve Queen Esther by King Xerxes. 

She sent me to find a man named Mordecai, who was dressed in sackcloth and ashes and sitting in the open city square, and ask what troubled him.

The man gave me a copy of an edict written by Haman, a new high ranking advisor for King Xerxes. The edict said all Jews would be executed in the twelfth month. I returned to her chambers with the news and the paper.

She stumbled back after hearing the news. I helped her to sit and waited for her to sift through her thoughts. 

This queen is very respected in our land. She is not only beautiful, but also kind and has a good heart for the people. I could barely stand to see her so upset. I brought her a cup of water. 

Mordecai said something about "her people". Did that mean she, too, was a Jew? Surely she would not be included in this edict.

She accepted the cup and drank. "Hathach, I want you to go back to Mordecai. Tell him all the king's officials and the people of the royal provinces know that any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned by the king will be put to death. This is the law of the land."

Her eyes were wide with worry. She stood again and paced. She didn't speak for a time, weighing her thoughts as she massaged her hands. She wiped a tear. "The only exception to this is for the king to extend the gold scepter to him or her. By this, he alone can save the person's life."

She picked up the cup and drank then walked to the window overlooking the wide city square. "Tell him thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king."

I knew exactly what that meant. With so many days having passed since the king has asked to see her, he may not extend the gold scepter.

She paced more, then looked at me. "Go. Tell him all I've said."

I bowed. "Yes, my lady."

...come back to read what happens next.

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sources: New International Version, New King James Version  

1. What key words did Hathach remember Mordecai saying?
2. What did they mean?
3. What is the king's law about visitors?
4. Esther was the queen--why did this law scare her?
5. What did Mordecai ask Esther to do that she was very afraid to do?