Lessons from Esther: Mordecai hears “the news”

1 When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry; 2 And came even before the king's gate: for none might enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth. 3 And in every province, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.  Esther 4:1-3

Have you ever found out about “a ruling” or “law” after it was passed? Basically this is what happened to Mordecai. A law was “slipped under the radar”, passed and now enacted.

When he realizes the impact on “his people” the Jews, he tears his clothes and puts on sackcloth (put on for mourning or humiliation) and ashes. Mordecai is crying, not just a silent cry but a loud, bitter cry with sobbing, uncontrolled weeping. John Gill says, “that all the Jews in the city might be alarmed by it, and inquire the reason of it, and be affected with it…”

He is so overcome with grief that he stands before the king’s gate in his sackcloth and ashes. In today’s world we might say “he was out of control” but really he was totally in control and knew that he had to get people’s attention. This was serious, a life and death situation.

Mordecai did get the attention of his fellow Jews. They banded together to fast, weep and wail.  They were fasting, going without food for a period of time, to get the attention of the God of Heaven.

Again, even though God’s name is not mentioned in the book of Esther, one can see “His hand” throughout the pages.

The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. Psalm 34:15

For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings. Proverbs 5:21 

For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. 1Peter 3:12 

Are  you going through an awful time in  your life? A time when all you do is cry? God is there in the midst of your troubles, call on Him today and He will help and show you the way.

I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. Psalm 18:3 

In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me. Psalm 86:7 

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. James 4:10 

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 1Peter 5:6 

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Lessons from Esther: Sitting at the King’s gate

21 In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king's gate, two of the king's chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus. 22 And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai's name. 23 And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out; therefore they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king. Esther 2:21-23

The workings of the palace went on as usual. Everyone was in their right place doing their job. Again, we find Mordecai at the king’s gate. As I mentioned in the last blog, he had a position of authority, probably as a judge or an official of the court.

One of the jobs of this position was listening. Mordecai sat and listened, maybe to complaints, maybe to cases, maybe to people asking for favors, whatever the reason, he was listening and probably making decisions.

One day, Mordecai got an “ear full.” Someone came and told Mordecai about a plot to kill the king. Mordecai probably researched the source, and then he went to Queen Esther and told her.

Esther documented the incident in “Mordecai’s name” meaning she had it written down with the details noting that Mordecai was the one who discovered the “plot.” After an investigation was held and verified, the men were hung on a tree. The case was written in the king’s book.

What can be learned from this portion of scripture?

Mordecai being in the right place at the right time was not an accident. Mordecai hearing about the plot to kill the king was not just hearsay.

God is in control

The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. Proverbs 15:3

For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. I Peter 3:12

For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings. Proverbs 5:21

Pay Attention

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: James 1:19

We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.  Epictetus 

When I was a child, my grandmother would quote this to me often. Usually it was when I was talking away and not listening or “carrying tales” about others.

A wise old owl lived in an oak

The more he heard the less he spoke1

The less he spoke the more he heard.

Why aren’t you like this wise old bird.

Be aware

We need to be aware of our surroundings. Mordecai was aware of what was going on around him. He was listening more than he was talking. He was a captive in a strange land, he needed to keep “his guard up”.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: I Peter 5:8

Today as you do your daily tasks, pay attention, know God is in control and be aware of your surroundings.

I’ll end today with the words of an old hymn:

This world is not my home I'm just a passing through
My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue
The angels beckon me from heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore
Oh Lord you know I have no friend like you
If heaven's not my home then Lord what will I do
The angels beckon me from heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore

Looking heavenward,

Donna