In verse one of chapter four
of Esther, we left Mordecai in the middle of the city crying out
before God in sackcloth and ashes. It was his response to the news
that an edict had gone out from the king that all of his people the
Jews should be destroyed upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month
Adar. In chapter four and verse two we learn more about Mordecai's
sorrow. We read:
And came even before
the king's gate: for none might enter into the king's gate
clothed with sackcloth.
The
verse begins, “And came even before the king's gate:” For
whatever distance it was Mordecai poured out his heart of sorrow all
through the city of Shushan until he reached the “king's gate”.
The gate would have been where much of the kingdom business was
conducted much like our “million man marches” today. If we
attempt it, we can almost envision Mordecai crying out to God and
making his way to the gate of the palace. What sorrow he must have
had to make such a public display of it.
The
verse goes on to say, “or none might enter into
the king's gate clothed with sackcloth.” Isn't it interesting
that there is a minuscule rule of order that is to be followed
although the command to destroy a group of people is at hand? No one
was to enter into the king's gate with such an awful attire such as
Mordecai was wearing. Sackcloth was not an acceptable clothing, and
those with it must keep their distance from the king.
Although
the king had rules for not seeing Mordecai because of his dress, we
must remember that the King of Kings had no such rule. In fact we
read in the old testament where Job and David put on sackcloth and
ashes to humble themselves before the Lord, and in Isaiah chapter
sixty-one and verse three we read:
To appoint unto them
that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of
joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the
LORD, that he might be glorified.
God who
was watching and attentive to Mordecai's behavior when he heard the
bad news not only gave Mordecai audience, but he also had a plan of
deliverance for him and his people. The result was not realized my
Mordecai at this point. He simply called upon God in a humble manner.
When we have difficult circumstances, we may want to refer to this
example of Mordecai and humble ourselves, cry out to God, and as with
Mordecai He will certainly hear our pleas.
Next time we will see the reaction of
the Jews throughout the Persian empire to this decree, 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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