In chapter three of Esther
the Jews were in dire trouble. Because of the hatred of Haman the
Agagite, a law was constructed and published that Jews throughout the
Persian empire should be destroyed. Chapter four told us of Mordecai
fasting and challenging Queen Esther that she should appeal to the
king. He told her she may have been exalted to her position “for
such a time as this.” In chapter seven of Esther, Queen Esther
revealed that she was a Jew and that Haman was behind this law for
she and her people's demise. Haman was hung on his own gallows in
that same chapter for his subterfuge, and in chapter eight, a new law
inspired by Mordecai was written and published for all the kingdom to
see. In chapter eight and verse fifteen we see the reaction of
Mordecai to the new law being written. We read:
And Mordecai went out
from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and
with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and
purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad.
The
verse begins, “And Mordecai went out from the presence of the
king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of
gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple:” After
knowing the posts left the palace with the message that the Jews
could defend themselves against anyone who obeyed the first law meant
for their destruction, Mordecai goes from the king's presence with
his new aristocratic apparel. We can almost picture in our minds his
royal clothing which was made of a deep blue and white material. He
put a “great crown of gold” which means a large and
important crown upon his head, and in addition put on other garments
of “fine linen and purple” which denoted wealth and royalty.
Mordecai, who once sat in ashes fasting, was dressed like a king, and
he who was humble before God and everyone around him was now exalted
to the position of great value in the kingdom.
The
verse goes on to say, “...and the city of Shushan rejoiced and
was glad.” Let's take notice that because of Mordecai's
willingness to be dressed in royalty, the “city of Shushan”
was affected by it. They rejoiced over Mordecai's position, and
now rather than being sad, overwhelmed, and distraught about the
pending doom, those who looked upon Mordecai were “glad”.
In other words, they celebrated. The gloom and despair over the once
threatening edict of destruction was now turned to a time of great
rejoicing throughout the city of Shushan.
In the
gospel of Matthew in chapter twenty-three and verse twelve we read
Jesus' words:
And whosoever shall
exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall
be exalted.
Jesus
gave those who will listen to Him the key to being exalted before
others: be humble. Mordecai illustrated this position as he sat in
ashes when he first heard the decree that meant not only his demise
but also the destruction of his people. Mordecai sat in sackcloth and
ashes. Mordecai fasted and prayed, and as he humbled himself before
God and man, the Almighty fulfilled the very words Jesus spoke. As we
ponder today's verse, we might ask, “What is troubling us so much
that we would be willing to humble ourselves before God and man so
that He would exalt us in His timing?” Is there an issue in our
lives that seems so filled with doom that we wonder if God really
cares about it? Maybe this would be a great time to realize that the
God we serve stands ready to clothe us in royal apparel, set a golden
crown upon our heads, dress us in fine linen, and have others rejoice
and be glad with us because He has intervened.
Next
time we will see the effect that this second law had upon the Jews,
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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