🌍 Esther 4:14 | Esther Points to Jesus

Happy Thursday, everyone!

Today we’re focusing our eyes on Jesus and how Esther contains echoes and foreshadowing of the gospel.

Remember: If the full verse is too long for you to memorize this week, you can focus on just the last part of the verse:

And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

In today’s email…

• ✝️ Specific parallels to Esther and Jesus

• 🌍 A man who lived and died for his faith

• 🔦 Community spotlight!

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MEMORIZE 🧠 

For if you ____ _______ __ ____ ____, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but ___ ___ ____ _______ _____ ____ _______.

And who knows _______ ____ ____ ___ ____ __ ___ ________ for ____ _ ____ __ _____?

Esther 4:14

CONTEXT 📕 

So far, we’ve stepped back to see the big picture of Esther, zoomed in on Esther’s courageous decision, and dug into some Hebrew words.

Now we need to ask an important question: what does Esther 4:14 mean for us today?

Mordecai’s challenge to Esther, “Who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” points us straight to Jesus.

Think about how specific the parallels are:

• Esther risked her life to enter the throne room of an earthly king who could kill her with one glance.
  Jesus gave His life after leaving the throne room of heaven, not for His own sake but for ours (Hebrews 9:12).

• Esther wore royal robes when she went in to make her request (Esther 5:1). She had to appear perfect on the outside.
  Jesus was stripped and beaten, mocked with a purple robe (John 19:2–3), and entered His “moment” in utter weakness. Yet His sacrifice made us truly acceptable before God.

• Esther fasted three days before stepping into the palace, preparing herself and her people in weakness (Esther 4:16).
  Jesus fasted forty days in the wilderness (Matthew 4:2) and then faced the cross, showing that God’s strength is revealed in human weakness.

• Esther’s words — “If I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16) marked her readiness to die if it meant saving her people.
  Jesus’ words — “Not my will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42) sealed His obedience to die so that all people could be saved.

• Esther’s courage brought rescue for one generation of Jews scattered in Persia.
  Jesus’ courage brought eternal rescue for every tribe, tongue, and nation (Revelation 7:9).

Esther’s story is not just a moral tale about being brave in hard moments.

It’s a signpost. A shadow. A pointer to the greater Esther — Jesus — an innocent man who died a criminal’s death and brought salvation once and for all.

And here’s why that matters for you:

When Mordecai asked Esther, “Who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” he wasn’t just asking about her palace moment.

He was pointing to a much larger truth: God places His people in specific times and specific places for specific purposes.

Esther came at the crisis of her time. Jesus came at the “fullness of time” (Galatians 4:4).

And you (yes, you) are placed here, now, with your circle of influence, your family, your neighborhood, your workplace…for this time.

Do you know why?

APPLY AND RESPOND 🏃‍♂️ 

In 1947, a group of missionaries set sail for Ecuador. Their goal was to share Christ with an unreached tribe.

One of them, Jim Elliot, famously wrote in his journal: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”

Like Esther, Jim stepped into a moment that looked dangerous. Like Jesus, he laid down his life, and his death sparked a movement of missions that brought the gospel to thousands.

Here’s your challenge today:

Look at your circle: Where has God placed you: in your family, your school, your office, your community, “for such a time as this”? Are you and a group of friends in your particular community for a reason?

Reflect: Why might he have put you there? Ask God to bring the reason or reasons to your mind.

Act: Send the text. Offer a prayer. Take the risk. Start the conversation. Don’t wait for a perfect moment. Trust that God has you here and now, on purpose.

🙏 Pray

Jesus, thank You for stepping into my place, for giving Your life so I could be welcomed into the Father’s presence. Give me courage to step into the places You’ve called me today, even when it feels scary. Remind me that You have me here for such a time as this. Amen.

COMMUNITY FEEDBACK ❤️ 

Wow! I just started receiving these emails. Where have you been hiding….The prayer tips, the extra resources and the deep context are so good!

- Tipp

Thanks for the time you take to create these emails! I'm so excited to learn Scripture and to share what I learned with my kids. This week's verse and some verses before are on our chalkboard. This is more than just a verse of the day. I learn so much and I even love how themes connect to what we've learned on Sunday or in bible study!

- Al

SHOUT-OUTS 📣 

HUGE thank you to Lloyd, Esther, Scott, RS and everyone else who chose to pay-it-forward to support our work and help us keep operating!

ANSWER KEY ✅ 

For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish.

And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

Esther 4:14