What does it mean that Esther was appointed “for such a time as this”?

Answer

Esther was a Jewish maiden who was taken into the royal court of King Xerxes and eventually chosen to be queen of Persia. She played a crucial role in saving the Jews from destruction, a significant event commemorated in the Feast of Purim. The Bible emphasizes that Esther was placed in her influential position “for such a time as this”—God’s purpose was fulfilled through Esther during the perilous period in which she lived.

Esther had been among the “beautiful young virgins” from whom King Xerxes could choose a new queen «Then said the king’s servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king: », (Esther 2:2). Esther had been orphaned as a child, and her cousin, Mordecai, took care of her. Following Mordecai’s advice, Esther kept her Jewish identity a secret. Over time, Esther gained King Xerxes’ favor, leading to her coronation as queen «And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti. », (Esther 2:17).

Later on, Xerxes honored Haman the Agagite and ordered his gatekeepers to bow down to Haman. Mordecai, who worked at the gate, refused to comply. This infuriated Haman, leading him to seek the annihilation of Mordecai’s people—the Jews—and he received the king’s approval to proceed with the genocide (Esther 3). Upon the issuance of the decree against the Jews, Mordecai mourned in sackcloth and ashes. Queen Esther, unaware of the impending danger to her people, learned about Mordecai’s mourning and sent her eunuch, Hathak, to inquire about the cause of his distress. M

**Mordecai** gave Hathak a copy of the edict and asked him to tell Esther to go to King Xerxes and beg for mercy on behalf of her people.

Esther was reluctant to approach the king because it was against the law to come before the king’s presence uninvited—under penalty of death. The eunuch reported Esther’s response to Mordecai. Then Mordecai sent word back: “Do not think that just because you are in the king’s house, you alone of all the Jews will escape. 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 4:13-14).

Mordecai, in urging Esther to take action, points her to a higher purpose: “Who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?” «For 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? », (Esther 4:14, NASB). He frames it as a possibility for her to consider: could it be that God has placed Esther in her royal position precisely because of the clear and present danger the Jews are in? It was just such a time—a time of crisis, a time of existential threat—that the Jews needed her. It was no accident that Esther became queen of Persia; she was there for a reason.

Mordecai was right. Esther was indeed on the throne “for such a time as this,” and she became God’s instrument of deliverance for the Jews in Persia. Sometimes we miss the importance of Esther’s obedience in God’s plan. Mordecai presented Esther with a choice. She could choose to recognize her providential placing in the royal court andOpt to risk her own life in an effort to save her people. Or she could choose to remain silent, try to protect herself, and hope for the best. Either way, Mordecai knew that God would rescue His people. Esther chose the path of joy and blessing when she agreed to play her role in God’s plan.

We serve the God who “works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will” «in whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: », (Ephesians 1:11). As the experience of Esther shows, God uses people in fulfilling His purpose. No matter what the situation, God has His instruments of deliverance and victory. “For such a time as this,” God has at the ready brave, committed, obedient individuals who will step out in faith and accomplish His work. In ancient Persia, Haman was doing the devil’s work, but there was Esther to counter it. God had set the board, and He moved His queen to checkmate the enemy. “He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others” «and he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: », (Daniel 2:21).

We, like Esther, have meaningful choices to make. We may not have as much power and influence as Esther had, but God has still placed us where He wants us to be “for such a time as this.” We are not here by accident. We have a God-given circle of influence. We cannot stand idly by while injustice occurs. We must pay attention to what’s happening around us and seek God’s direction in how He wants to use us. He has placed us in the time, the position, and the place He wants us to be. And He invites us to confidently join in His work. In Esther’s day, the duty to save a nation fell on her shoulders.

She knew God had called her, and He had provided everything she needed to complete the mission. The Lord does the same for us, no matter the assignment He gives us, and He will work through us in “such a time as this.”