Today, we continue the story of Esther. There are two key nobles: Mordecai, a Jew who is Esther’s cousin and adoptive father, and Haman, the ambitious and ruthless prime minister. Haman is so disliked that the king must order everyone to bow to him—a gesture that should come naturally, like shaking hands. Imagine if a decree required you to shake someone’s hand; you’d assume that person was not well-liked. While others obey, Mordecai refuses to bow to Haman. Outraged, Haman plots not only Mordecai’s death but the destruction of all Jews in the kingdom. 

To heighten the fear, Haman casts lots (the “purim”) to choose the date of their doom. The dice fall on the twelfth month, meaning the Jews have a year to live. Haman tells Mordecai, in effect, “You and your people will perish in twelve months because you defied me.” The king, oblivious and portrayed as a drunken fool, is unaware of Haman’s plot. Haman, to further intimidate, erects a 75-foot pole on which he plans to execute Mordecai. 

My friend, Mordecai pleads with Esther, now queen, to intercede with the king and save her people. But Esther hesitates; as a young woman, she fears approaching the king uninvited, knowing she could be killed unless he extends his golden scepter in acceptance. Mordecai urges her, “Perhaps you became queen for such a time as this.” After thoughtful reflection, Esther instructs Mordecai to gather the Jews to fast and pray for three days. Then, with faith and courage, she resolves to approach the king, declaring, “If I perish, I perish.”