The time had come for the
edict inspired by Haman for all the Jews to be destroyed throughout
the kingdom of Persia. Because of a subsequent law inspired by
Mordecai and Queen Esther, the Jews were in a position to defend
themselves from anyone who might attack them, and a great fear of the
Jews was upon everyone in the kingdom. In chapter nine and verse
three we see how even the governing officials were afraid of the
Jews, and they helped them because of their fear. We read:
And all the rulers of
the provinces, and the lieutenants, and the deputies, and officers of
the king, helped the Jews; because the fear of Mordecai fell upon
them.
The
verse begins, “And all the rulers of the provinces, and the
lieutenants, and the deputies, and officers of the king, helped the
Jews;” Let us notice first the word “all”. This
wasn't just a few rulers, or a few men, but it was “all”
the rulers, lieutenants, deputies, and officers of the king. They
“all” helped the Jews. We can imagine how these rulers and
officials were when they heard the first command from the king to
destroy the Jews, and more than likely they were on board with the
plan. However, at this point they are “all” helping the
Jewish people. We might wonder, “why would they do this?” We
shall see in the next part of our verse.
The
verse goes on to say, “because the fear of Mordecai fell upon
them.” If we stop to think about this for a moment we might
even chuckle at this statement. Just a few chapters ago Mordecai was
fasting for his people while sitting at the palace gate in sackcloth
and ashes. Now he is such an intimidating figure that all the rulers,
lieutenants, deputies, and officers of the king are afraid of him.
These great officials were so fearful of Mordecai and what he might
do to them that rather than destroy the Jews, they helped them.
Proverbs
chapter sixteen and verse seven says,
When a man's ways
please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Mordecai
illustrated this wonderful statement. The question is, “Are we the
same way?” Do others know that we are so well connected with God
that they have a reverence to our very lives? Do they see us as so
close to God that they would help others within our “command” to
overcome their plights? As we consider our verse today we should keep
in mind that the position Mordecai enjoyed was given by God from
behind the scenes. Only God could raise a man from sackcloth and
ashes to the right hand man to the king. Only God could orchestrate
such ominous circumstances that lowly Mordecai could be raised to
great honor, and only God can bring us to the place among people that
when they see us, they will know that we have been with Him.
Next
time we shall see Mordecai become even greater in the Persian
kingdom, 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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