Monday, March 14, 2011

Sackcloth and Ashes (Est. 4:1-4)

When Mordecai heard about the letter, he tore his clothes in sorrow and put on sackcloth. Then he covered his head with ashes and went through the city, crying and weeping. But he could go only as far as the palace gate, because no one wearing sackcloth was allowed inside the palace. In every province where the king's orders were read, the Jews cried and mourned, and they went without eating. Many of them even put on sackcloth and sat in ashes. When Esther's servant girls and her other servants told her what Mordecai was doing, she became very upset and sent Mordecai some clothes to wear in place of the sackcloth. But he refused to take them.
(Esther 4:1-4, CEV)

Can you imagine what Mordecai and the rest of the Jews felt after hearing the edict? In one year, they would be wiped out. Entirely.

Mordecai begins to truly mourn. Tearing his clothes and putting on sackcloth, then covering his head with ashes. It was as though his people are already dead. And the people mourn as well.

The next part of today’s verses is a bit confusing. Esther is upset about Mordecai’s mode of dress. Is she worried about appearances? Is she concerned that people might find out about her heritage? Is she fearful her place in the palace will be jeopardized?

It seems so as she merely sends clothes to prevent any embarrassment. Seems a bit callous when her people’s lives are threatened. But as we’ll soon discover, Esther hasn’t heard about the edict yet. And when she does, the last thing on her mind will be sackcloth and ashes.

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