A few days ago I wrote about Queen Vashti. Before moving forward to Queen Esther I thought I would spend a little time sharing about Mordecai. I found him to be fasinating. He is that uncle we all dream of. I had an uncle like Mordecai, who took the position of watching over me, after my dad passed on. He walked me down he aisle and made sure he kept a protective eye on me. For that I am forever grateful.
Life might have been different for Esther had her uncle not stepped up to the plate. In losing her parents her life could have taken a turn for the worst. I know when I lost my dad I thought my world had ended. In many ways I rebelled and searched for something or someone to fill in where it was now void. It was years later, after meeting my husband, that my void spot was filled. You may think my husband was the filler of the spot. Friends, no one can replace your daddy. But I did fall in love with another Father. My Heavenly Father.
Mordecai took Esther under his wings and watched her as she took flight and spread her wings. He watched her grow into the woman God called her to be. Can you see the pride in his eyes? (Esther 2:7)
I like to think about the times they must have spent just sharing. Mordecai could have shared with her that his grandfather experienced the exile to Babylon. Their family can be traced back to Saul's father. To understand that it was King Nebuchadnezzar that exiled them brings perspective to the story of, Vashti, Mordecai and Esther. Especially since King Nebuchadnezzar was Vashti's great grand father. (Esther 2:5-6)
Mordecai was a man of great heritage. I can invision their chats over dinner as night falls. He wanted the best for Esther and for his people. Mordecai seems to be a humble man, but one who carries a wealth of wisdom.
As Esther is being instructed at the great search for the new queen, Mordecai is right there. He takes time every day to walk by and see that she is safe and doing well. This was a long period of time. This process was a year in making. Can you imagine? Gives new meaning in the for The Bachelorette or Miss America. These ladies are given luxuries and are being provided with the best of the best as the king is on the search. (Esther 2:11)
Before long Esther is chosen and why wouldn't she be? Her beauty could be compared to none. She was that girl every boy only dreamed about, but for the king, it was about to come true. Talk about a royal wedding.
As Esther becomes queen, Mordecai is still there. This is one thing I admire about him. Nothing is too important for the one he loves. Much like the love our Savior has for us. Mordecai in all his wisdom knows there is a higher calling taking place here. God is at work and he is a willing participant to see His will be accomplished.
The king's gate must have been the happening spot. There is a lot taking place here. Mordecai happens to be there and overhears two men speaking about the king. Lets just say, they weren't going to be throwing him a party. And they say women are vengeful. These two had plans to bring down the king and it wasn't going to be pretty. Mordecai takes this information and shares it with Esther. (Esther 2:21-23)
Sweet Esther goes to her king and tells him of the plan. His life is saved by Mordecai's and Esther's courage. It was not an easy thing to go before the king. In fact, it was not heard of. That is unless you wanted death. Can you imagine not even being able to go to your husband at any time and share with him? It will be five years later when the king understands the impact of this moment on his life. We will get back to that in a moment.
Well, these villians are hanged. They are no more, but someone else comes on to the scene and he could be called the bully of the court yard. Haman is second in command. He is the overseer if you will. He is the king's trusted man. Little does the king realize at the time, but Haman has a plan to kill the Jewish people. Not just a few of them. Not just one family, but the entire population. This could have been total genocide. (Esther 3:6-15)
As this is taking place and Haman is putting in place his plan, Mordecai takes a stand. In fact, in the kings presence, all must bow. As Mordecai is there in the back of the room, he is seen doing just the opposite. We must remember, he is a Jew and he isn't bowing to anyone, other than his God. (Esther 3:1-5)
Wouldn't you know there would be tattle tales waiting in the midst of the room? Haman has his men on guard everywhere. These men rush to Haman and of course, what is he to do, but go straight to the king. The king doesn't realize this is Mordecai and calls for his execution. Haman thinks he has it all in the bag, but God isn't finished with him just yet. Gosh, don't you just love that?
Talk about divine intervention! The king just happens to be in his room one evening in need of something to do. He calls for his men to bring him a book. Now, that's my kind of evening. They go to the library and bring him back a book of their choosing. What do you know. The king takes the book in hand and opens to a page that reads something like this. Oh king, remember about five years back when your life was about to be taken? But yet, you were saved, because of the courage of one man, willling to step out and speak up? Mordecai was that man. (Esther 6:1-9)
I can imagine the king reads this over a few times. The light bulb comes on and he now realizes he must reverse the order to have Mordecai executed. What does he do? He plans to honor Mordecai. Can you imagine? What I love is the fact that Haman is clueless in all this.
This is the point where I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall. The king calls for Haman. The king shares with Haman that one will be honored. Hello? Haman is thinking it's going to be him! Can you imagine the look on his face when he realizes the king is going to honor Mordecai? The man he wants dead is about to have a royal parade thrown in his honor and the best part is yet to be spoken. Mordecai will be on the horse while Haman will have the reins. Boy, how fast the tide has turned for Haman. (Esther 5 and 6)
We don't have to guess what happens next. Through a few dinners with Esther and Haman, the king comes to know the plot Haman has had all along. I'm not sure Haman thought this through. What did he think would happen when the king knew that his Jewish Queen would be murdered as well? (Esther 7)
Haman is out of there and who becomes second in command? Mordecai, that's who. Don't you love how God works? He knows the evil that exists. Even when we don't know the whole story, God does. He sees what has taken place and what is to take place. He interveins for us. His soveriegnity will be made known. (Esther 8)
The Jewish people are saved. Esther is queen. Mordecai is second in command. There were a few of these men who held this position. Joseph and Daniel. Mordecai is in good company. Mordecai was that uncle filled with love. He was the Jewish man who served God. Mordecai was the vessel God needed and Mordecai took God's work seriously. We can see that in his life. He lived a life of purpose and not one of fear. Most of all, Mordecai was a man of faith and that is a trait we can all desire to have. (Esther 8:8;9)
