Esther 4:5 (KJV)
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.
There are certain phrases in the Word of God that simply strike us. It is not a bad thing that the Word of God uses terminology that is old-fashioned and uncommon in our modern vernacular. It gives us cause to stop, pause, question, and investigate. While I object to all modern versions of the Bible because I believe their foundation is corrupt, there are some modern versions that "dumb down" the Bible and bring it into such modern vernacular that it sounds like a conversation between a couple of "valley girls." (Is that even a thing anymore?)
So Esther sent a messenger to Mordecai "to know what it was, and why it was." She had heard that he was in sackcloth and ashes, and she had sent him some clothes to improve his appearance. When he refused them, she wanted "to know what it was, and why it was."
John Gill simply says, "what was the reason of his appearing in sackcloth, and why he did not receive the clothes she sent him.” The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges says, "to know what his mourning attire meant.” Matthew Henry writes:
"To know more particularly and fully what the trouble was which he was now lamenting, and why it was that he would not put off his sackcloth. To enquire thus after news, that we may know the better how to direct our griefs and joys, our prayers and praises, well becomes all that love Sion. If we must weep with those that weep, we must know why they weep."
I realize that Esther and Mordecai still had a secret family relationship at this time and cared deeply for one another. But the lesson still holds for us all because, as brothers and sisters in Christ, our care for one another needs to go beyond a simple, "How are you?" to knowing both the what and the why of their good days and their bad ones.
Esther had already, if you will, "thrown some clothes" at Mordecai's trouble. But food, clothing, and money are seldom the real solutions to the needs of men.
If we are to pray for others and truly seek to help them, we must take the time "to know what it was, and why it was" that they are in such a state.
When we do, we will often discover that the issue is spiritual. It involves an enemy of greater proportions than most can imagine. And it requires help that is not merely supernatural, but eternal and almighty.
#KnowTheWhatAndWhy #BearYeOneAnothersBurdens #BiblicalCompassion #BookOfEsther #KJVBibleStudy
The Biblical Method to Helping Hurting People: Find the What and the Why
Have you ever discovered that someone's greatest need was very different from what you first assumed? Share your experience in the comments—I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Then visit marvinmckenzie.org for more daily KJV Bible studies, practical Christian encouragement, and resources to help you grow in your walk with Christ.
For this and, more than 7100 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.
If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.
My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org
Join me at Daily Visits with God Podcast
https://marvinmckenzie.substack.com/
Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more
Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give.
No comments:
Post a Comment