Mordecai faithfully carries out Esther’s request, underscoring the importance of unity and obedience in God’s protective plan for His people.
So Mordecai went away and did just as Esther had commanded him (Esther 4:17). In the broader context of Esther’s story, Queen Esther has agreed to risk her own life by approaching King Xerxes (also called Ahasuerus, who reigned over Persia around 486-465 B.C.) in order to plead for the protection and survival of the Jewish people. As soon as Esther gives Mordecai final instructions to gather the Jews in Susa—the ancient Persian capital located in modern southwestern Iran—for a time of fasting on her behalf, Mordecai departs to carry out her directive. The verse shows that even though Mordecai has been exhorting Esther to step up in her royal position, he willingly receives her directions for fasting and prayer and puts them into action. Jewish tradition held that this fast took place during the days of Passover, underscoring the gravity of Esther’s decision to appear before the king unsummoned (Esther 4:15-16).
The words So Mordecai went away and did just as Esther had commanded him (Esther 4:17) convey a culminating moment of active faith. Mordecai has expressed complete confidence that God would not abandon His people (Esther 4:14). Now he follows Esther’s mandate in order to prepare prayerfully for her dangerous audience with Xerxes/sAhasuerus. Historically, Xerxes was best known for the Greco-Persian Wars (notably the battles of Thermopylae and Salamis). During these events, he ruled from Susa, where Esther and Mordecai resided. Such an empire-wide setting magnifies how tenuous Esther’s position was. Yet Esther’s courageous stance to intercede for her people set in motion a deliverance from the genocidal plot of Haman (Esther 7). The significance of Mordecai’s humble obedience here is that God often weaves together the faithfulness of many individuals—both those who lead and those who serve—to fulfill a greater rescue plan (Romans 8:28). Ultimately, the deliverance in Esther prefigures a similar theme seen in the New Testament, where Christ intercedes on behalf of those who trust in Him (1 John 2:1).
Mordecai’s choice to do just as Esther had commanded him (Esther 4:17) further highlights that those who trust God continue to be faithful and obedient in the roles He has entrusted to them. Even though Esther was now queen, she had grown up under Mordecai’s care and looked to him for wisdom. Yet at this moment, she calls upon the entire Jewish community to rely on fervent prayer. Mordecai designates a fast (Esther 4:16), aligning with biblical patterns where challenging circumstances lead God’s people to deeper reliance on Him (Ezra 10:6; Acts 13:2). This unity of faith shows that God’s grace and guidance are often revealed most powerfully when leaders and followers work together in prayerful dependence on Him, trusting He is sovereign even under foreign rule (Romans 8:31).
Mordecai’s humble, active obedience is thus the final note of Esther 4:17, which captures the moment just before Esther risks everything for the sake of her people.
Set to dark mode
Esther 4:17 meaning
So Mordecai went away and did just as Esther had commanded him (Esther 4:17). In the broader context of Esther’s story, Queen Esther has agreed to risk her own life by approaching King Xerxes (also called Ahasuerus, who reigned over Persia around 486-465 B.C.) in order to plead for the protection and survival of the Jewish people. As soon as Esther gives Mordecai final instructions to gather the Jews in Susa—the ancient Persian capital located in modern southwestern Iran—for a time of fasting on her behalf, Mordecai departs to carry out her directive. The verse shows that even though Mordecai has been exhorting Esther to step up in her royal position, he willingly receives her directions for fasting and prayer and puts them into action. Jewish tradition held that this fast took place during the days of Passover, underscoring the gravity of Esther’s decision to appear before the king unsummoned (Esther 4:15-16).
The words So Mordecai went away and did just as Esther had commanded him (Esther 4:17) convey a culminating moment of active faith. Mordecai has expressed complete confidence that God would not abandon His people (Esther 4:14). Now he follows Esther’s mandate in order to prepare prayerfully for her dangerous audience with Xerxes/sAhasuerus. Historically, Xerxes was best known for the Greco-Persian Wars (notably the battles of Thermopylae and Salamis). During these events, he ruled from Susa, where Esther and Mordecai resided. Such an empire-wide setting magnifies how tenuous Esther’s position was. Yet Esther’s courageous stance to intercede for her people set in motion a deliverance from the genocidal plot of Haman (Esther 7). The significance of Mordecai’s humble obedience here is that God often weaves together the faithfulness of many individuals—both those who lead and those who serve—to fulfill a greater rescue plan (Romans 8:28). Ultimately, the deliverance in Esther prefigures a similar theme seen in the New Testament, where Christ intercedes on behalf of those who trust in Him (1 John 2:1).
Mordecai’s choice to do just as Esther had commanded him (Esther 4:17) further highlights that those who trust God continue to be faithful and obedient in the roles He has entrusted to them. Even though Esther was now queen, she had grown up under Mordecai’s care and looked to him for wisdom. Yet at this moment, she calls upon the entire Jewish community to rely on fervent prayer. Mordecai designates a fast (Esther 4:16), aligning with biblical patterns where challenging circumstances lead God’s people to deeper reliance on Him (Ezra 10:6; Acts 13:2). This unity of faith shows that God’s grace and guidance are often revealed most powerfully when leaders and followers work together in prayerful dependence on Him, trusting He is sovereign even under foreign rule (Romans 8:31).
Mordecai’s humble, active obedience is thus the final note of Esther 4:17, which captures the moment just before Esther risks everything for the sake of her people.