After giving the approval to
the suggestion of his servants to search the Persian empire for “fair
young virgins”, King Ahasuerus now waited to discover which one of
them would be his new queen. In chapter two and verse five, our story
introduces a new main character with whom the will of God will be
fulfilled. We read:
Now
in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was
Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a
Benjamite;
Our
verse begins, “Now in Shushan the palace there
was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai,...” It
was important to the writer of Esther that we know where this new
character was located, “in Sushan the palace” because it
shows the proximity that he had to the throne. We remember that
Sushan was the winter residence of the kings of Persia. We learn also
that this man was a “Jew” (this is the first time this word is
used in the Bible and means “of the kingdom of Judah” named
“Mordecai” which means “little man”. We shall see that
regardless of his name, Mordecai was anything but little in his
manner of living.
Mordecai
was a descendant of the tribe of Benjamin, and came through “Jair”
which means “he enlightens”, “Shimei” which means “renown”
and “Kish” which means “bent”. Some may remember that King
Saul in Israel came from Kish as well. The idea here is to allow us
as readers to know a little background on Mordecai as he enters the
story. We can keep in mind that all of these things are not just
incidental accidentals, but rather that God Almighty is involved well
in advance of Mordecai's necessary part in this story. Mordecai's
proximity to the throne and his perfect linage put him in the exact
place and purpose for God to fulfill His plan.
As we
read about Mordecai, we may wonder, who is in our lives at this point
that God may be using to direct or save us? Is their proximity to us
something that God may use? Is their background and past part of His
master plan for fulfilling the purpose in our lives? Perhaps we are
as Mordecai and have proximity and background for someone else's plan
and purpose. As we continue our story in the days ahead, let us not
forget the Divine hand and ways of God that go well beyond our own
understanding. As we do, we will trust Him more and more with the
direction of our lives as well.
Next time we will learn more details
about Mordecai, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow...there is more...
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation” and the new marriage book “So, You Want
to Be Married” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ;
www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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