Did You Come “for Such a Time as This”: Esther”?

My Come Follow Me studies for this week took me to the book of Esther in a lesson titled “Thou Art Come … for Such a Time as This.” The following information introduced the lesson. 

Many events in the book of Esther might seem like luck or coincidence. How else do you explain how an orphaned Jewish girl became the queen of Persia at just the right time to save her people from slaughter? What are the chances that Esther’s cousin Mordecai would happen to overhear a plot to assassinate the king? Were these coincidences, or were they part of a divine plan? Elder Ronald A. Rasband noted: “What may appear to be a random chance is, in fact, overseen by a loving Father in Heaven. … The Lord is in the small details of our lives” (“By Divine Design,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2017, 56). We might not always recognize the Lord’s influence in these “small details.” But we learn from Esther’s experience that He can guide our path and prepare us “for such a time” (Esther 4:14) when we can be instruments in His hands to fulfill His purposes.

This scripture block teaches several principles, including (1) The Lord puts me in situations where I can bless others (Esther). (2) Pride and anger can lead to downfall (Esther; 5:9-14; 7). (3) Fasting Shows that I trust and rely on the Lord (Esther 3-4; 5:2-3; 8:11-12). (4) Doing the right thing often requires great courage (Esther 3:1-11; 4:10-17; 5:1-4; 9:17-19). This essay will discuss principle #4 about doing the right thing and exercising courage.

When Mordecai and Esther stood up for their beliefs and their people, they put their lives at risk. Our choices might have less severe consequences, but doing the right thing can still require courage. What can we learn from Esther about having courage to do the right thing?

The short story is that an evil man by the name of Haman was promoted by the king, and he thought that Mordacai, Esther’s uncle, should bow to him as commanded by the king. However, Mordecai did not, which made Haman angry. Haman learned that Mordecai was a Jew and decided that all the Jews should die. He convinced the king to decree the massacre.

Mordecai heard of the king’s decree and got word to Esther, and she asked him what she should do. He explained that she needed to get word to her husband, the king. When Esther expressed fear, Mordecai said, “… who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14). Knowing that she could die if the king refused to see her, Esther agreed to do as her uncle suggested and asked that Mordecai and all the Jews throughout the kingdom join Esther and her maidens in fasting for three days and three nights. Here is the rest of the story as found in Esther 5:1-8 and 7:1-6, 10.

1 Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king’s house, over against the king’s house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house.

2 And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre.

3 Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom.

4 And Esther answered, If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him.

5 Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste, that he may do as Esther hath said. So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared.

6 ¶ And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.

7 Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request is;

8 If I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do tomorrow as the king hath said.

1 So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen.

2 And the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition, queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? and it shall be performed, even to the half of the kingdom.

3 Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request:

4 For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king’s damage.

5 ¶ Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so?

6 And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen.

10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king’s wrath pacified.

Esther showed great courage because she knew that she was on a life-or-death mission. However, both Mordecai and Esther also knew that God could protect her if He so chose, and they put their trust in Him. What opportunities has God given to you for you to bless other people.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, then-Second Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, taught that each of us “stands at a unique place and has an important task that only [we] can perform…. The Lord gave you your responsibilities for a reason. There may be people and hearts only you can reach and touch. Perhaps no one else could do it in quite the same way” (“Lift Where You Stand,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 56).