We have learned in this
short and final chapter of the book of Esther about King Ahasuerus'
tribute which he laid upon the people of the Persian empire, and we
have seen the king's advancement of Mordecai which was written in the
book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia. In verse
three of chapter ten which is our final verse of the book, we see how
Mordecai was promoted in the Persian kingdom and his care for the
Jewish people. We read:
For Mordecai the Jew
was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and
accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his
people, and speaking peace to all his seed.
The
verse begins, “For Mordecai the Jew was next
unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews,and accepted of the
multitude of his brethren,...” Three of the final
characteristics of Mordecai are mentioned in this part of the verse:
He “was next to unto king Ahasuerus; great among the
Jews; and accepted of the multitude of his brethren”. As
we consider these components of Mordecai's life, we cannot help but
consider from where he came. From the humble man who sat at the
king's palace gate, Mordecai was now second in command under him.
Because of his intercession both spiritually and practically, the
Jews considered him great, and those who knew him accepted him for
the great man that he was. Because of God working through Mordecai,
the Jews' very lives had been saved.
The
verse continues, “...seeking the wealth of his people, and
speaking peace to all his seed.” Herein lies the reason that
Mordecai became so advanced and accepted of both the king and his
people. Rather than simply seek his own wealth, Mordecai sought the
“wealth of his people”, and when he could have been
settled in a position of peace for himself and Esther, he promoted
the idea of peace to all the Jews. In other words, Mordecai was an
others centered person. Though he personally benefited by his
actions, his focus was upon “his people” and “to all
his seed”.
After
reading the accounts recorded in the book of Esther, we might have
wondered why the book wasn't called “Mordecai”. It was Mordecai
who took Esther in as a child when her parents were dead, and it was
Mordecai who suggested her entry into the contest for a new queen.
Mordecai appealed to Esther to make intercession for her people and
told her that she may have been put in her position “for such a
time as this”. Mordecai also led an empire-wide fast for Esther
before she went before the king unannounced, and Mordecai told her
what to say. Mordecai also inspired the law of defense for the Jews
over Haman's first law which would have destroyed them, and suggested
that letters be sent out to notify the Jews everywhere of their
ability to defend. In other words, God used Mordecai greatly
throughout this book, and yet the book is called “Esther”. Many
believe that Mordecai wrote the account of the events in this book,
and by this final verse we may have discovered one of the reasons it
received the name “Esther” instead of Mordecai. Mordecai had his
primary focus upon God and others, and where he might have had
opportunity to advance himself, he rather advanced others instead. As
we ponder the final words of this wonderful book, perhaps we too will
be inspired to be like Mordecai and seek the advancement of others
rather than ourselves. Deferment of our personal advancement must be
left in the hands of God Almighty, and with Mordecai as our
inspiration, we can put our promotions in no greater place.
Next
time we will begin a new book called Second Peter, 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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