"The Edict was also published in Susa, the capital: and while the king and Haman were drinking, the city of Susa was in consternation. Esther 3: 15b

What was the king's edict saying to the point of putting the whole town in consternation? Verse 13 tells us in these terms: "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." The name of the man behind such a decision was Haman. His hatred of the Jewish people was based on the refusal of a Jew (Mordecai) to bend his knee and prostrate himself before him (verses 5 and 6).

Haman had just launched a challenge to Mordecai, exterminating him, not only him but all the Jews in order to erase them entirely from the Persian Empire. Many people agree that this situation was one of the greatest crises that the Jewish people has ever known.

How to respond to this crisis? Should he take weapons to counter the enemy? Should he negotiate with the enemy and agree to bend the knee? Mordechai and her cousin Esther accepted the challenge. They understood that the crisis was on a spiritual level and that it was necessary to give a spiritual answer. Esther and her maids agreed to fast three days and nights, without food or drink. Mordechai will gather all the Jews in Susa, the capital, to join Esther in this fast. (Ch.4).

Chapter 5 and following of the Book of Esther describe in detail the prodigious repercussions of the three days of fasting that Esther and her people did. Haman, the conspirator, and his sons perished. Mordechai and Esther became the two most influential personalities with the Persian king, and the whole policy of the Persian Empire was completely changed in favor of the Jews now offering them peace and prosperity.

This is how Esther and Mordecai transformed the crisis into triumph. We can also put an end to any crisis even today, because the weapons with which we fight are powerful, by the virtue of God, to overthrow fortresses, whatever they are. (2 Co. 10: 4.)

Good meditation