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MORDECAI From the gate to the palace from obscurity to prominence “Mordecai was prominent in the palace; his reputation spread throughout the provinces, and he became more and more powerful.” (Esther 9:4) The Book of Esther is the 17th Book of the Old Testament. Like the Book of Ruth, it reads like a story. The Book tells us about the Jews in exile and how God used a young Jewish girl, Esther, and her uncle, Mordecai, to bring deliverance and give them victory over their enemies. God’s providential love and care for His people is clearly illustrated in this Book of the Bible. According to the Bible, Mordecai was a Jew, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of The first thing we learn about this man is his compassion and kindheartedness. We are told that Mordecai took his uncle’s, daughter, Hadassah, an orphan, and raised her as his own daughter. We must remember that the Jews were in exile, in captivity, at this time and most people would have been having a hard time taking care of themselves let alone be burdened with someone else. Brethren, some of us may find ourselves in this position some day. What will we do? Will we be like Mordecai or will we refuse on grounds that we have problems of our own. Mordecai took his responsibility as the guardian of his cousin seriously. After Esther was taken away to the palace, he did not just fold his hands and say “well she is no longer my responsibility”. Instead, we are told that every day he walked past the kings harem to know how she was and what was happening to her (Esther He was no doubt a man of wisdom, a man who knew the times in which he lived. He had warned Esther not to reveal her nationality and family background (Esther He was alert, vigilant and attentive. The Bible does not tell us what Mordecai was doing at the king’s gate but he was certainly not sleeping. It was while he was sitting there one day that he overheard two of the king’s chamberlains plotting to assassinate the king. He was prompt in reporting this to Esther who in turn made it known to the king and the plot was subsequently foiled. The Bible tells us that the steps of a righteous man are ordered by the Lord. God will put us in the most unusual places sometimes so we can see or hear something that will change our circumstances and propel us to greatness. May we also be alert, vigilant and attentive to things that go on around us. May nothing that God has for us pass us by. Amen. It was the custom of the Persians to bow down to their kings and was it was likened to paying homage to a divine being. Mordecai had been taught from childhood to worship the only true God so he was not going to bow to Haman, a mere mortal. This made Haman furious but Mordecai stood firm. Even after Haman had persuaded the king to issue an edict that all Jews be killed, Mordecai still refused to show reverence to Haman which made Haman even more furious (Esther 5:9). Like Mordecai, we must learn to be firm and not be afraid of men who want to intimidate us because we refuse to serve them or accept their ways. Jesus warned us saying, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both body and soul in hell (Matthew The Bible tells us that when Mordecai heard of the king’s decree to annihilate the Jews, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth with ashes and cried out loud with a bitter cry. He knew that he was somewhat to blame for what had happened because it was his refusal to bow to Haman that had infuriated him to go to this extent. But Mordecai was not afraid to be seen proclaiming and declaring the injustice of the decree nor was he ashamed to show his grief publicly. Mordecai was not one to mix his words. As much as he loved his cousin, when it was necessary, he told her exactly what she needed to hear. In other words, he spoke the truth in love. When Esther sent word saying she had not been called to the king’s presence for over thirty days and that she stood the risk of being killed if the king did not hold out his scepter, Mordecai wasted no time sending word back to her. “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance from the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such time as this?” (Esther 4:12b-14).
Our God never forgets although sometimes it may seem like it, but He never does. Hallelujah!!. The Bible tells us that some time had passed since Mordecai revealed the plot against the king and was yet to be rewarded. But God had not forgotten. You see brethren, “Our times are in His hand” and “It is in His time that He makes all things beautiful” (Ecclesiastes 3”11). It was all orchestrated by God. He worked it out that on that very night, the king would have difficulty sleeping, call for the Book of Records and learn that Mordecai had not been honoured. It was also God’s plan that Haman would be the first to see the king that morning. It should encourage us to know that God never forgets us. He is just waiting for the right time. Friends, let us learn to stand on God’s Word. He has promised us that, ‘He will lay a table before us in the presence of our enemies (Psalms 23: 5a); “No weapon fashioned against us shall prosper and no tongue that is raised against us shall stand (Isaiah 54:17). The Word of the Lord tells us that vengeance belongs to God (Isaiah 63:4). We need not fear the enemy because our God is in total control. God saw to it that Haman’s plan to see Mordecai hung from the gallows did not succeed. That is the God we serve, He will not stand by and see His children suffer. He will fight on our behalf. God is able to bring about a turn around in situations and this is exactly what He did for the Jews in the Book of Esther. The edict that Haman and persuaded the king to issue was revoked and Mordecai got another edict issued which was the exact opposite. Friend, our God is still the same. He changeth not. God will turn the tables round for you in Jesus Mighty Name. Whatever situation you are going through now, God will turn it around for your good. Amen and Amen. The Bible tells us that people of other nationalities became Jews because they were afraid of the Jews (Esther Mordecai did not take God’s goodness in delivering the Jews lightly. He understood the importance of commemorating God’s faithfulness in turning their sorrow into joy. Friends, we too ought to be mindful to set time aside to remember where God has brought us from and to thank Him for turning our mourning into dancing. . The Bible says that Mordecai became prominent, second in rank to the king and his reputation spread throughout the provinces. He was held in high esteem because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of the Jews (Esther 10:3). Mordecai, a man of no importance, became second to the king only. God is still in the promotion business. He is still in the business of elevating his children from obscurity to prominence. Just as He did it for Mordecai, He will do it for you. Get ready! There are many lessons to learn from Mordecai. However, one lesson that stands out clearly is that God will bring our way opportunities to show kindness. These opportunities may be our spring board to receiving God’s blessing. May we not miss these opportunities in Jesus Name. Amen.
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