INTRODUCTION: The sentence of death had been proclaimed upon all Jews (Esther 3:13And the letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey.
See All...). Unfortunately, this sentence had been made in such a way that it could not be changed or altered (Esther 1:19If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she.
See All...; Daniel 6:8Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.
See All..., 12). The burden of this dilemma seemingly fell upon the shoulder of one person brought “to the kingdom for such a time as this.”

1. THE RESPONSE OF THE JEWS (Esther 4:1-3 [1] When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry; [2] And came even before the king's gate: for none might enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth. [3] And in every province, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.
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1. The Weeping of Mordecai (Esther 4:1-2 [1] When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry; [2] And came even before the king's gate: for none might enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth.
   See All...; Jeremiah 6:26O daughter of my people, gird thee with sackcloth, and wallow thyself in ashes: make thee mourning, as for an only son, most bitter lamentation: for the spoiler shall suddenly come upon us.
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1. In the midst of the city (Esther 4:1When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry;
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1. He perceived all that was done (Esther 3:8-15 [8] And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them. [9] If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king's treasuries. [10] And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy. [11] And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee. [12] Then were the king's scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's ring. [13] And the letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey. [14] The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, that they should be ready against that day. [15] The posts went out, being hastened by the king's commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed.
   See All...; 1 Chronicles 12:32And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.
   See All...).
2. He rent his clothes.
3. He put on sackcloth with ashes.
4. He went into the midst of the city.
5. He cried with a loud and bitter cry.
2. Before the king’s gate (Esther 4:2And came even before the king's gate: for none might enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth.
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1. Even before the king’s gate
2. None were allowed to enter with sackcloth.
2. Great Mourning Among the Jews (Esther 4:3And in every province, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.
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1. In every province
2. Wherever the king’s commandment came
3. Manifested in multiple ways
1. Mourning
2. Fasting
3. Weeping
4. Wailing
5. Dressing in sackcloth and ashes
2. THE INFORMING OF ESTHER (Esther 4:4-9 [4] So Esther's maids and her chamberlains came and told it her. Then was the queen exceedingly grieved; and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from him: but he received it not. [5] Then called Esther for Hatach, one of the king's chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and gave him a commandment to Mordecai, to know what it was, and why it was. [6] So Hatach went forth to Mordecai unto the street of the city, which was before the king's gate. [7] And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king's treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them. [8] Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people. [9] And Hatach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai.
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1. Esther’s Attempt to Calm Mordecai (Esther 4:4-6 [4] So Esther's maids and her chamberlains came and told it her. Then was the queen exceedingly grieved; and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from him: but he received it not. [5] Then called Esther for Hatach, one of the king's chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and gave him a commandment to Mordecai, to know what it was, and why it was. [6] So Hatach went forth to Mordecai unto the street of the city, which was before the king's gate.
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1. Mordecai’s refusal (Esther 4:4So Esther's maids and her chamberlains came and told it her. Then was the queen exceedingly grieved; and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from him: but he received it not.
   See All...; Genesis 37:34-35 [34] And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days. [35] And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go down into the grave unto my son mourning. Thus his father wept for him.
   See All...; Psalm 77:1-3 [1] I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me. [2] In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted. [3] I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah.
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1. Esther heard of Mordecai’s mourning.
2. Esther was exceedingly grieved.
3. Esther sent raiment to Mordecai, but Mordecai refused (see Psalm 77:2In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted.
   See All...; Jeremiah 31:15Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not.
   See All...). Note: Often, when there is a cause for grief or mourning, people will seek to cover it over and ignore the problem. There are, however, some things that need to be grieved and times when we need to mourn.
2. Esther’s inquiry (Esther 4:5-6 [5] Then called Esther for Hatach, one of the king's chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and gave him a commandment to Mordecai, to know what it was, and why it was. [6] So Hatach went forth to Mordecai unto the street of the city, which was before the king's gate.
   See All...; Genesis 28:16And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not.
   See All...; John 20:9For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.
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1. She sent to know what the problem was (Esther 4:5Then called Esther for Hatach, one of the king's chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and gave him a commandment to Mordecai, to know what it was, and why it was.
   See All...).
2. Hatach met Mordecai before the king’s gate (Esther 4:6So Hatach went forth to Mordecai unto the street of the city, which was before the king's gate.
   See All...).
2. Mordecai’s Meeting with Hatach (Esther 4:7-9 [7] And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king's treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them. [8] Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people. [9] And Hatach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai.
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1. Mordecai told Hatach of Haman’s plan (Esther 4:7And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king's treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them.
   See All...).
1. To destroy Mordecai
2. To destroy all Jews
2. Mordecai provided Hatach with a copy of the king’s decree (Esther 4:8Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people.
   See All...a).
3. Mordecai asked that a charge be given to Esther (Esther 4:8Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people.
   See All...b).
1. That she should go before the king
2. That she should make supplication unto the king
3. That she should make request before him for her people
4. Hatach fulfilled Mordecai’s request (Esther 4:9And Hatach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai.
   See All...).
3. THE CONVINCING OF ESTHER (Esther 4:10-14 [10] Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordecai; [11] All the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or women, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days. [12] And they told to Mordecai Esther's words. [13] Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews. [14] 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?
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1. Esther’s Message to Mordecai (Esther 4:10-12 [10] Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordecai; [11] All the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or women, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days. [12] And they told to Mordecai Esther's words.
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1. Delivered again by Hatach (Esther 4:10Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordecai;
   See All..., 12)
2. Expressing Esther’s fears (Esther 4:11All the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or women, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.
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1. The law of approaching the king
1. The reach of the law – “whosoever, whether man or woman”
2. The content of the law
1. One should not come unto the king into the inner court.
2. Unless he was called
3. The strictness of the law – “there is one law.”
4. The consequences of violation – “to put him to death”
5. The pardon available
1. The king could hold out the golden scepter.
2. The individual might live.
2. Her need to violate the law  (Esther 4:11All the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or women, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.
   See All...; see Acts 24:25And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.
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1. She had not been called for thirty days.
2. If she entered, she would knowingly violate the law.
2. The Charge to Esther (Esther 4:13-14 [13] Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews. [14] 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?
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1. Think not that thou shalt escape (Esther 4:13Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews.
   See All...; Matthew 12:30He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.
   See All...); Note: Esther might have been tempted to think that her being queen would exclude her from the wrath of Haman, but she was no different than any other Jew.
2. Think not that thou art the only hope (Esther 4:14For 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?
   See All...a; 1 Corinthians 10:13There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
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1. If thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, deliverance will arise from another place.
2. Thou and thy father’s house, however, shall be destroyed.
3. Think not that God has brought you here for any other purpose (Esther 4:14For 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?
   See All...b; Ecclesiastes 3:11He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
   See All...; Ephesians 1:9Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
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4. THE DECISION OF ESTHER (Esther 4:15-17 [15] Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, [16] Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish. [17] So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.
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1. Her Call for a Fast (Esther 4:15-16 [15] Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, [16] Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.
   See All...a; Matthew 9:15And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.
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1. Amongst the common Jews (Esther 4:15-16 [15] Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, [16] Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.
   See All...a)
1. The leader of the fast – Mordecai
2. The participants of the fast – “all the Jews that are present in Shushan”
3. The purpose of the fast – “for me [Esther]”
4. The details of the fast
1. Neither eat nor drink
2. Lasting three days (night and day)
2. Amongst those in the palace (Esther 4:16Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.
   See All...a)
1. Esther
2. Esther’s maidens
2. Her Surrender of Self (Esther 4:16Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.
   See All...b; Luke 9:24For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.
   See All...; Acts 20:24But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
   See All...; Acts 21:13Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.
   See All...; Philippians 2:30
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1. Her willingness to violate the law – “so will I go in unto the king” (Esther 4:16Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.
   See All...b).
2. Her willingness to die if it could possibly spare the lives of her kindred (Esther 4:16Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.
   See All...b)
3. Her Help from Mordecai (Esther 4:17So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.
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5. THE SPIRITUAL GROWTH OF ESTHER
1. She Grieved Over the Circumstances (Esther 4:4So Esther's maids and her chamberlains came and told it her. Then was the queen exceedingly grieved; and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from him: but he received it not.
   See All...).
2. She Feared For Her Life (Esther 4:11All the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or women, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.
   See All...).
3. She Saw Herself as Either the Problem or the Solution (Esther 4:13-14 [13] Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews. [14] 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?
   See All...).
4. She Surrendered to the Will of the Lord (Esther 4:16Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.
   See All...a).
5. She Died to Self (Esther 4:16Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.
   See All...b) – “if I perish, I perish.”

CONCLUSION: The way to conquer the sentence of death is by death. When Esther surrendered to the possibility of death, she conquered the sentence of death against the Jews. Today, we conquer the sentence of death against us first through the death of Christ on the cross. Then, we experience greater victory through reckoning ourselves to be dead to sin through our death with Christ on the cross. See Romans 6:1-11 [1] What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? [2] God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? [3] Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? [4] Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. [5] For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: [6] Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. [7] For he that is dead is freed from sin. [8] Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: [9] Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. [10] For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. [11] Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
See All.... We must all come to the place where we can say with determination: I will do what is right for my God and Saviour by His strength in me; and if I perish, I perish.