Wednesday: Mordecai and Haman
According to Esther 5-8, how was Esther able to save her people?
The accounts of Esther’s two banquets bring the story to its crisis point. They also record the great reversal of the plotted ethnic extermination. On the way, the story exposes the difference between true honor and self-honor, and it records the punishment of the villain.
Image © Phil McKay from GoodSalt.com
These court intrigues had far-reaching consequences. They give us a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes workings of an absolute monarch and his court. Esther and Mordecai used their positions, their knowledge of the culture in which they lived, and their faith in God’s covenant promises to His people to bring about their deliverance.
Meanwhile, despite his quiet life of service, Mordecai let his faith be known, if through no other means than his refusal to bow down before Haman. People noticed, and they admonished him, but he refused to compromise his faith (Esther 3:3-5). This, surely, was a witness to others.
Read Esther 6:1-3. What does this tell us about Mordecai? What lessons could we draw about how God’s people can function, even witness, in foreign lands?
Though Mordecai obviously was following the Lord, nevertheless he showed allegiance, and loyalty, to the sovereign of the nation in which he lived. While refusing to bow before a man, he still was a good citizen, in that he exposed the plot against the king. Though we can’t read too much into the fact that he hadn’t been honored for this act, very possibly he did it and then just went on his way, not expecting any reward. In time, though, as the story shows, his good deed was more than rewarded. His example here is perhaps best expressed by these words:
(Matt. 22:21, NKJV).Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s
(29)
The same with Daniel. King Nebuchadnezzar, who had another intention, ended up witnessing to the
invited guest by the throngs about God instead of his golden statue. We all need this kind of personal experience.
The concept of bowing down in some culture is interpreted as respect rather than reverence and yet this is given by one's volition. But from the context it's was rather demanded and it was more of a show of misplaced authority, which mordecai perceived and refused to be intimidated. As Christians we are almost always intimidated by crowd mentality and most times we succumb. As Christians we ought to stand out for in.only so can we be examples( missionaries) to others
we should always strive to please our God and pray not go astray
In Esther, a book of the Bible fairly well known for not mentioning the word/name God and probably not the first place many search for truth, there are multiple parallels of end time events and lessons for God’s remnant people.
Haman playing the part of the harlot/beast desiring the worship of all (Esther 3:5; Revelation 13:8; 17:1-5) induces the secular powers/kings of the earth (Esther 3:6, 9-11; Revelation 13:15; 17:12, 13) to destroy God’s little flock who keep the higher laws and Commandments (Esther 3:8; Revelation 12:17) and appears to succeed for a time, but eventually finds that the secular powers/kings turn against him (Esther 7:6-9; Revelation 17:16).
That which is sown in haughtiness is reaped in bitterness. He who lives by the sword eventually dies by the sword (Matthew 26:52). God’s people eventually prevail.
Yet something the remnant people ought not to miss is what will be required in the time of great peril. It is the attitude of, “if I perish, I perish.” (Esther 4:16). This does not come in a moment, but is the result of preparation, developing a high regard for what God says, even a loyalty that is stronger than life and a trust that the Savior is near.
The overcomers uncompromisingly honor God’s institutions and order before the day of trial. Those who reject the mark of the beast will have their life hid with Christ in God before the test (Colossians 3:3).
Matthew 26:52 as spoken by our savior Jesus was quite accurate for the response within the King's palace, to pray and wait upon the Lord and to deal with pending doom by other means. Interesting though that in Esther 9:1-16, the sword is used by the Jews to kill 75,000 of their enemies.
Keep in mind, these were the Jews that stayed behind when the call to return home was given. They are not to be seen as examples of faith.
Originally God intended to drive out the nations before Israel, but because of unbelief, they had to go to war, while exercising faith in God's commandments. God must change toward us when we fail to believe His promises. But He is willing to reveal Himself in a way that will encourage greater faith. We should follow Jesus' word without the hesitation of unbelief.
Generally I agree but I don't know about the timing. Under any circumstance the decree Haman instigated was for the entire Persian Empire which included Jerusalem so I am not sure who was involved in the slaughter.
Keep in mind the captives taken by Babylon were within that region that was only a fraction of the Persian empire. I don't know how far the real effect of this was. Did it affect any Jews in Ethiopia? Where there any in that part of the Empire or say in the far east? Still, the temptation to plunder probably affected nearly all regions as Satan was the one behind this plot in order to remove the knowledge of God from the earth, but God turned it around in answer to the prayers of His people who turned to Him in faith. Then the shake-up in the palace with a Jew now 2nd in command along with the counter-decree. When God moves, things happen quickly.
He wants to move among us today.
This trouble would never have come had the Jews followed God's leading 60 years previous to these events. This might have something to do with the need to defend themselves. The path of unbelief results in events God never intended. Yet He delights in mercy.
There are more lessons in Esther than we might see at first glance.
We should always hold tight to our faith wereever we are,in whatever situation.We should also do good to or for others just for doing good without expecting any reward nor appraisal
Well said, Hugh! I have often thought of the similarities in Esther to the end of time! Our daily lives demonstrate God's presence more than the mention of his name! Praise God for the story of Esther and evidence of his faithfulness to us, it encourages us to live boldly and faithfully!
We have a lot to learn from the Bible Storicles. We have to be careful to refrain from speculation or reading into the story that leads down a path of doubt. Rather when we allow the Spirit of God to transform our lives by these stories, little by little, perhaps unconsciously to us, impressions are made that tend to draw our soul to Christ.
Knowing that God honors those who honor him made and the humbleness of Mordecai to just save a man's life, not just the king, shows us he was not impress by the status of the man yet he respected his position, for it is God who sets up kingdoms and kings. Yet he knew that Haman had no power over him, when Mordecai honored God, his moral came in to play on whether he would keep the commandments of God. Doing just that put the life of his nations as well as himself in danger. Praise God who is for us as well as for those in time past where he cover us with his righteous right hand.
What ever Satan has for bad God will always turn it out for our good. Be of good courage and know that when you stand for the God he will always come though with a witness to his awesome power.
How many have considered that the Jews who remained in the land of their captivity should not have been there? They were warned to flee when the way was opened for them to return. Also, due to Mordecai refusal to honor a public official, all this trouble came upon the Jews. I don't know if the command was to worship Haman but it seems Mordecai was the only one to refuse. To his credit he had been discreet and not obvious, but was reported to Haman by others, which wounded the pride of this wicked man. Many details we don't know, but this is sure; the Jews had been warned of God by Zechariah to leave for their safety but they had refused to obey Him. So how do we look at this account to learn all its lessons for us today?
Yes, Esther put herself at great risk, and Mordecai had a good deed recorded that helped the cause of the Jews at this time. God shows Himself merciful to even those slow to heed His word. I believe it was God's last warning for the remaining Jews to return to their own land, but we know how this story ends concerning the people who had received every promise and advantage, but they loved this present world. By the time Jesus arrived only a small handful were looking for Him, and soon after the nation "finished their transgression" and is no more, just as Daniel was shown.
Esther is one of several books in the Bible that would never have been written had God's people exercised faith in Him. What does our record show today? Why do we linger here?
As some have mentioned, there are lessons in this account for God's people today who also are still here because of unbelief. Perhaps it is time for fasting and prayer, that we might seek to learn our duty and faithfully perform it?