1. Mordecai tells Esther the news (1-11)

When Mordecai heard the news of the impending massacre, he mourned deeply. He tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes. Every place the Jews heard of the king's edict, there was much weeping and mourning. Esther didn't know why Mordecai was in such distress, so she inquired of Mordecai through her servant. Mordecai told Esther the whole thing, including how much money had been offered by Haman for the destruction of all the Jews. He hoped Esther would do something. But she was afraid to go to the king on fear of death.

2. Esther's decision of faith (12-17)

Mordecai didn't let Esther wallow in her fear. He reminded her that she was in her position because God put her there. In fact, God may have put her there for just this purpose- to go to the king to stop his edict from being carried out. If she allowed her fear to win over her faith, even being queen wouldn't save her. She would perish. Esther made a decision of faith. She asked the Jews to pray for her. Then she went to the king, saying, "If I perish, I perish." Esther sounds like Apostle Paul.