Lessons from Esther: Mordecai’s legacy

And the king Ahasuerus laid a tribute upon the land, and upon the isles of the sea. 2 And all the acts of his power and of his might, and the declaration of the greatness of Mordecai, whereunto the king advanced him, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia? 3 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. Esther 10

Esther and Mordecai are shining examples of doing right; they followed God’s lead, spoke out and saved a nation. Esther was not made queen of Persia by mistake but by the will of God. God led them each and every step of the way. Esther and Mordecai made the choice to follow God’s lead.

As we close this study of the book of Esther, Mordecai is showcased in the last chapter, a small chapter of three verses.

King Ahasuerus had promoted Mordecai to be “second in command”. He not only found favor with the king, but with his fellow Jews.

Mordecai did all in his power to help the Jews. They were not envious but glad that Mordecai was in a high position. He was willing to help his fellow man and “speaking peace to all his seed”.

Mordecai’s legacy is written in the “book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia” as well as in The Bible.

Elizabeth George in Becoming a Woman of Beauty and Strength – Esther outlines the ten chapters of Esther in an acrostic:

Persian decree against Vashti

Uncle (or cousin) Mordecai saves king

Revenge plotted by Haman

Intercession made to Esther

Making dinner for Ahasuerus

Favor shown to Mordecai

Esther requests her life

Ahasuerus give Mordecai promotion

Sons of Haman hanged

Testimony to Mordecai’s greatness

This is the end of my lessons of Esther. We know Esther and Mordecai’s legacy, but what is our legacy to our family, friends and coworkers? Are we a testimony of the greatness and goodness of the Lord?

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Letters

[7] Moreover I said unto the king, If it please the king, let letters be given me to the governors beyond the river, that they may convey me over till I come into Judah; [8] And a letter unto Asaph the keeper of the king's forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the palace which appertained to the house, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall enter into. And the king granted me, according to the good hand of my God upon me. [9] Then I came to the governors beyond the river, and gave them the king's letters. Now the king had sent captains of the army and horsemen with me. Nehemiah 2:7-9

Nehemiah is not done speaking to the king. He asks the king to write letters for him, so he could travel through the other countries without incidents.

He also asked for a letter to be sent to Asaph the keeper of the king’s forest so he could get lumber to make beams and gates for the palace and for the wall of the city. The king granted him everything he asked for – WHY? Nehemiah writes the “good hand of my God upon me”, God’s ultimate protection and provision. Here we see the wisdom of Nehemiah, when the king asked what he needed he wasn’t shy (remember he prayed to God and God gave him wisdom).

Nehemiah starts his travels with letters and an army that the king sent with him. Nehemiah was a trustworthy and loyal employee of the king. The king was sending protection, probably so his loyal employee would return unharmed.

What a testimony Nehemiah must have been to his employer. Remember Nehemiah was a Jew and the king was not, but the king respected Nehemiah and what he stood for.

Am I a testimony to my employer? Only I can answer, how about you?

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Testimony

And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me. Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him. 1Samuel 16:17 -18

King Saul was troubled in spirit (by his own disobedience to the word of God). He went to his servants and asked them to provide him with someone who could play the harp and “quiet” his spirit.

One of the servants gave this testimony of David:

~ Cunning in playing – John Gill says he had a good skill in music and was an expert in it.

~ Mighty valiant man – powerful, a warrior

~ Man of war – fought in battles

~Prudent in matters – he was trustworthy, upright and honest. John Gill says, “He knew how to behave in his talk, conversation, conduct and behavior”

~ Comely person – beautiful

~ God is with him

What a great testimony. This is what the servant “saw”. At this time David was not that old probably somewhere between sixteen and twenty-five.

The two statements that stand out are he was prudent in matters and God is with him.

How do others “see” us? What is our testimony to those around us? Would a stranger be able to tell you are a Christian by your actions towards others and your stand with God?

Have a blessed day,
Donna