What does it mean that Esther was appointed 'for such a time as this'?

TL;DR:

When Esther feared the risks of standing up for her people, Mordecai challenged her that she was appointed “for such a time as this.” Queen Esther’s faith, bravery, and wisdom saved her people and revealed that God truly had appointed her “for such a time as this.”

what does the bible say?

Esther, a Jewish orphan raised by her relative Mordecai, became queen of Persia without revealing her heritage. When Haman, a high-ranking official, plotted to annihilate the Jews, Mordecai urged Esther to intervene despite the risks. Mordecai's words, "for such a time as this," emphasized that Esther's royal position was divinely purposed to save her people. Esther bravely approached King Xerxes, won his favor, and successfully thwarted Haman's plan, saving the Jews. Her story teaches us that God places individuals in specific situations to fulfill His purposes and that acting with faith can lead to significant impacts.

from the old testament

Esther was a beautiful Jewish young woman who was orphaned as a child and raised by her relative, Mordecai. The Jews were living in exile, under the leadership of the Persians. When King Xerxes was looking for a new queen, Esther was among the "beautiful young virgins" he had to choose from (Esther 2:2). Mordecai had instructed Esther to keep her Jewish heritage secret. Esther found favor with the king, and he made her his queen (Esther 2:17).
Some time after Esther had become queen, Xerxes put Haman the Agagite into a position of high honor, second in the land. As a part of this, Xerxes commanded the officials who worked at his gate to kneel to Haman whenever he passed as a sign of honor. Mordecai, who worked at the gate, refused to bow to Haman. Because of this, Haman became increasingly hateful and sought to not only kill Mordecai but all of his people, the Jews. By using manipulative and deceptive means, Haman got the king's permission for the genocide of the Jews (Esther 3).
Mordecai and Jews throughout Xerxes territory responded in grief. Upon hearing about this, Queen Esther sent to Mordecai, who provided the information to Esther about what had happened. He also asked Esther to go to the king on behalf of the Jews to beg for mercy. This was a very risky request from Mordecai since it was illegal to approach the king uninvited. Even for Esther, the queen, the punishment could be death. Esther was concerned about doing this, but Mordecai urged her: "Do not think to yourself that in the king's palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:13–14).
By saying that Esther was appointed "for such a time as this," Mordecai points Esther to the higher calling of her role as queen: "Who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14, NASB). Mordecai challenged Esther to consider that God had placed her as queen knowing that by her being in that position, she could save her people from destruction. Before Esther was queen, there was no way for her or Mordecai to predict the destruction that would be attempted, but God knew—and He placed Esther in her role as queen for a reason.
When Esther approached the king, she found favor with him, and she was used by God to save the Jews from complete annihilation. The Jews continue to celebrate this deliverance during the Feast of Purim. God was at work in Esther’s life from beginning to end, and she truly was appointed "for such a time as this."

from the new testament

Esther is not mentioned in the New Testament.

implications for today

Queen Esther was used by God to save her people, the Jews, from destruction. She was in her position "for such a time as this," and Mordecai had the eyes to see that it was so. Esther had a choice to make when Mordecai called her to risk her life for the sake of her people. She could have remained silent and hoped that she herself would be protected, or she could have recognized the meaning behind her story—that God had placed her in her position for a reason. Thankfully, she acted by faith and chose the latter option.

From Esther's story, we can learn that we, too, are placed into different situations "for such a time as this." God gives each of us influence and opportunities where we may do His work and speak His truth. We must not be passive participants in our own lives and spheres of influence. God has good work that needs to be done here on earth, and He places us in positions where He knows we can make a difference (Ephesians 2:8–10). Just as He did with Esther, God directs us into our own "for such a time as this" opportunities, and it is up to us whether we will choose to trust and obey His leading. This doesn't place all the pressure on us to make God's plans come to pass. For He "works all things according to the counsel of his will" (Ephesians 1:11). God's plans and purposes will come to pass, but He actively invites us to play a part and equips us in Jesus Christ for every challenge that we face along the journey (Philippians 2:12–13; 2 Peter 1:3–11). What a gift!

understand

Esther, a Jewish young woman, became the queen of Persia through unlikely circumstances.
While she was queen, the Jews were threatened to be annihilated, and Esther was able to save them from destruction by her faith, bravery, and wisdom.
When Esther feared the cost of standing up for what was right, Mordecai, who had raised her, challenged her to think that she was appointed to be queen “for such a time as this” —the right time to save the Jews.

reflect

When faced with a difficult decision that could impact others, how do you discern if you are in that position "for such a time as this"?
Have there been moments in your life where you felt called to act courageously for a greater purpose, and how did you respond?
In what ways can you use your current roles and positions to make a positive difference in your community or sphere of influence?

engage

Esther did not understand God’s great plan, but she trusted in Him and responded in faith, bravery, and wisdom to stand up for what was right. How does trusting in God allow us to act in ways we otherwise would not for the sake of what is right?
Selfish acts of danger are generally not considered to be particularly brave, or at least are not broadly celebrated as such. Why does true bravery require character and an intention to serve another's good?
What impact does it have on your faith and personal opportunities God has given you to recognize that Esther was indeed appointed “for such a time as this”?