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Mordecai’s faith placed him on the peak,

Like Esther’s regal attire, truly unique,

Boldly he stood, unwavering and strong,

Through faith and love, his troubles were gone.

Be strong and courageous, embracing faith,

For faith in God is life, and doubt is death,

Just like Mordecai, who stood firm in his place,

His faith was like a student that is given a test.

Through trials and tests, he remained unshaken,

With a heart full of faith, the storms didn’t take him,

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,

In Mordecai’s story, this truth is shown and explored.

A Biblical hero with a faith so profound,

Like Esther, his purpose in God’s plan was found,

He was greatly rewarded, for God he did please,

In Mordecai’s faith, God’s purpose does bliss.

Hebrews 11:32-35 (KJV) – “³² And what shall I more say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: ³³ Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions. ³⁴ Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. ³⁵ Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection.”

Mordecai is a paramount figure of faith in the Bible. Mordecai’s faith was a radiant lighthouse guiding the ship of his beliefs through the stormy seas of doubt. Like a phoenix rising from the embers, Mordecai’s faith emerged stronger after every trial. His faith was a compass navigating the uncharted territories of existence with unwavering purpose. He did all he could with his little power to save the Israelites from destruction. He was not rich or prominent in rank, but he did what many in positions of great influence have chosen not to do. Faith is exercised best when we do all we can and leave the rest to God. We should not waste God’s gifts by expecting God to do everything for us, including what we can do with our bodies and brains. Faith is meant to help on our weaknesses. Faith comes to fill in the space that is left by what we cannot do.

Esther 2:5-7 (KJV) – “⁵ Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite; ⁶ Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the King of Babylon had carried away. ⁷ And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.”

We often focus on the story of Esther but pay little attention to the story of Mordecai. Mordecai was an older cousin to Esther who took part in the upbringing of Esther since her parents died. The name Mordecai means little man. He was the son of Jair, whose name means enlightener. Mordecai’s father, Jair, was the son of Shimei, whose name means famous. Shimei was the son of Kish, whose name means a bow. They were from the tribe of Benjamin, the smallest of all tribes of Israel (1 Samuel 9:21).

Laden with poverty, they did not expect much to result from their lives. However, by faith, Mordecai trained Esther in the ways of God. The lesson we learn from Mordecai is that we should be of righteous influence to our young ones and subordinates. Harsh and insulting words should not be heard when giving instructions at home or anywhere else. Mordecai took care of Esther as if she was his daughter. It is not unusual to find people mistreating their younger relatives whom they have been entrusted to care for, particularly those whose parents are dead.

Orphans are sometimes mistreated because they have nobody to plead for them. Sometimes, a parent may be busy at work and leave their children in the hands of a relative, and the relative ends up abusing that child. Mordecai was different. He treated Esther as his daughter, not knowing and expecting that Esther would be of prodigious help to him one day. The seeds we plant daily will always grow, whether they are bad seeds or good seeds. Therefore, be intentional in planting good seeds.

Esther 2:8-9 (KJV) – “⁸ So it came to pass, when the king’s commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king’s house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women. ⁹ And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king’s house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women.”

Mordecai genuinely loved Esther, so he presented her with an opportunity. It is not unusual to see people who claim they love you not presenting you with opportunities that you need the most while they have the ability to do so. Sometimes and often, people who claim to love you may offer to buy you expensive alcohol that harms your body but cannot give you that money. Being given a handout in the form of money is less beneficial than being given an opportunity that will be of a lifetime benefit to you.

Some friends and relatives will not give you opportunities because they do not want you to surpass them in achievements. They fear competition. They are comfortable with you doing good but not better than them. They do not know that the light is reflected back to them when one shines a light. For instance, when you switch on a torch in the dark towards an object you want to see, the light illuminates you and makes you visible too. Your intention was not to make yourself visible but to make the object visible, but the rule of nature comes in handy and makes you visible. This rule applies when we help others.

Esther’s cousin, Mordecai, was not jealous of her, nor did he have the evil spirit of competition between him and her. He heard of an opportunity to replace Queen Vashti and quickly told Esther about it. This action was clear that he wanted the best for his cousin. Many people will tell you they wish you the best, but in reality, they wish you the worst. The best way to know someone truly wishes you the best is through their actions.

Despite Esther and Mordecai being poor, they did not have low ambitions. It is quite common for many people to think they are forever destined to be where they are because they are where they are. Faith is the hope of things not seen. The people with a disability and the sick people who approached Jesus to receive healing approached him because they had hope for transformation.

I believe in the days of Jesus, there might have been other sick people who did not go to Jesus because they thought that their situation was cast in stone. Some people do not attend church because they can’t see how it will benefit them. A lack of hope is why many people get into depression and commit suicide. Mordecai had hope for a better life. He had probably studied the scriptures and realized it was not God’s will for people to be in captivity like they were. When he heard of the opportunity for a queen, he did not look down upon Esther or discourage her.

Some loving parents constantly discourage their children because they can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. They might think that because nobody in their family or lineage attained a certain level of success, it is impossible to go beyond that level. God told Zacharias and his wife Elizabeth to call their child John (Luke 1:13), but the friends and relatives opposed that name because nobody in their family had it (Luke 1:61).

Faith in God breaks barriers. Faith in God will make one go beyond the achievements of their family members. Faith in God goes beyond man-made culture and tradition. Mordecai believed in God. He believed that it was God who sets up and removes Kings. Therefore, he sent Esther to apply for the position of queen.

Esther 2:10 (KJV) – “Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it.”

Mordecai instructed Esther wisely out of love. Out of malice, some people will advise you to do the wrong thing even though they know it is wrong. They wish to see your downfall, not your success. For example, a lady may face marital issues, and then goes to her friend or sister or any other relative for advice (which is not advisable because one should seek God’s advice). Her friend or sister intentionally gives her the wrong advice, worsening her marriage. Secretly, behind her back, her friend goes to seduce her husband.

These deceptive counsels are not just among women. They are common in people of both genders and all ages. Mordecai wished for Esther’s success. Therefore, he gave her sound advice. He told her not to reveal her people or her family. A person with a close relationship with God, like Mordecai, will have his thoughts aligned with God’s and will be led by the Spirit of God. Therefore, he or she will give you Godly counsel. You need to ask God to give you the gift of discerning spirits so that you know who is giving you the right counsel. Most importantly, you need to study God’s Word to distinguish between truth and error.

Esther 2:11 (KJV) – ^“And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women’s house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her.”

Mordecai was a true mentor to Esther. He did not let go of Esther’s hand even when she was not in close contact with her. Mordecai did his best not to lose touch with her. He walked every step of the way with her and kept visiting her even when she was in her place of preparation. Mordecai did not count it success that Esther was favored by Hegai and placed in the preparation court. He wanted to guide her till she sat on the throne. As we can see in Esther’s story, he guided her even when she was queen. Mentors should not leave their mentees at any point because the Devil does not sleep. Satan is always looking for the smallest loophole to bring someone down.

You may study hard and succeed in academics, then the Devil comes after you have received your examination results and realized that you have passed. Satan has attacked many brilliant school students and did his best to ensure they didn’t finish high school. If you closely examine the people who dropped out of high school, you will realize they were not foolish people. Most of them were very intelligent. Many of them got high grades in their primary/elementary final exams. The Devil may wait for someone to finish high school and then attack them at the university level to ensure they don’t complete college.

You might have seen people who died when they went drinking with friends to celebrate their success. I have seen musicians who started out as gospel artists, and through God’s favor, they were successful in music, only to be attacked by Satan at the height of their success and switch to secular music, which gradually ended up killing their music careers. Mordecai stuck by Esther and did not leave her. We should always pray for our mentees and share with them God’s Word. If they, unfortunately, fall off the track, the blame should not lie with us. We should have a clear conscious that we have done our best.

Esther 2:21-23 (KJV) – “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 hands 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.”

Mordecai did not idle at the King’s gate. He was diligent even when he was there. Information reached him while at the King’s gate concerning Bigthan and Teresh’s plot against the King. The information was wicked, and if executed successfully, it would have resulted in the death of the King. When Mordecai heard that information, he did not allow it to stop at him. He did all he could in his low position and transmitted it to Esther. Mordecai could not directly access King Ahasuerus, but he could access Esther because she was his relative and the King’s wife. Therefore, he gave Esther vital information that saved the King’s life. We should not be like rivers that have inlets and no outlets.

We are created to be a blessing, and God wants us to use everything He has given us to bless other people. When you read a Bible verse, share it with at least one person. Let no vital information stop at you. Do not be like a broken telephone. Give whatever comes your way. When you give, you become more enriched. John C. Maxwell says, “No one gets rich without enriching others.” Myron Golden says it is better to have one million dollars of cash flow than to have ten million dollars stored in a bank account. The third servant in Matthew 25, who hid (stored) his talent underground, did not receive anything more, but the first two servants increased their talents by using them.

This principle does not apply to money only. It applies to knowledge and every other good gift that God has given you. Some people give excuses that they have not been placed in places of opportunity. You might despise where you are, but that is the best place of opportunity that God has placed you in. The earlier you realize that, the better.

Mordecai was placed at the gate, and he excellently utilized his environment to rise to greater ranks than those above him. Joseph used his gift of dream interpretation while in prison, which led him to be given the position of ruler in Egypt by Pharaoh (Genesis 41:43). Hagar could not see water until God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water (Genesis 21:19). Ask God to open your eyes to see the opportunities around you, and when He shows you, use them properly.

Esther 3:1-6 (KJV) – “¹ After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him. ² And all the King’s servants, that were in the King’s gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the King had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence. ³ Then the King’s servants, which were in the King’s gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the King’s commandment? ⁴ Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai’s matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew. ⁵ And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath. ⁶ And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.”

“Through Haman the Agagite, an unscrupulous man high in authority in Medo-Persia, Satan worked at this time to counterwork the purposes of God. Haman cherished bitter malice against Mordecai, a Jew. Mordecai had done Haman no harm, but had simply refused to show him worshipful reverence. Scorning to “lay hands on Mordecai alone,” Haman plotted “to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.” Esther 3:6.” – Prophets and Kings, Page 600.2, Ellen G. White.

Jeremiah 17:5 (KJV) – “Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord.” The Bible also says in Jeremiah 17:7 (KJV) – “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.” Mordecai trusted in God alone and did not give Haman worshipful reverence. We should respect all human beings but worship God alone. We should not put anyone above God.

God says in the first commandment in Exodus 20:3 (KJV) – “Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.” Mordecai heeded this commandment and understood that there can be none greater than God. He knew Haman was a high-ranking official, but he did not bow down to him. Instead, he bowed down to the One with the highest rank, God.

We may not physically carve idols to worship them, but we worship them often without knowing. Many will break God’s rules when promised a certain amount of money. Such people have made money their idol. Others would go to work on Sabbath because their bosses told them to, thus, putting their superiors above God. When told to choose between a church event and a concert in town of a popular celebrity, which one would you go to?

Esther 4:1 (KJV) – “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.”

By faith, Mordecai humbled himself and put on sackcloth and ashes. Humility is a powerful act of faith in God. Mordecai was not embarrassed. Thus, he went into the midst of the city to cry a bitter cry. If we move fervently by the guidance of God’s spirit and go heads on for what we want without feeling embarrassed, we will surely get more results than we desire.

The Bible says in Matthew 5:4 (KJV) – “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” Do not despair when something happens while you chase your dreams and you get embarrassed. If that happens, rejoice and be exceeding glad because God has set a magnanimous blessing for you to comfort you that you may not even remember the embarrassment that you faced. However, do not indulge in sin and do not look for embarrassment or a state of mourning intentionally. Follow your God-given purpose, and if it happens accidentally that you find yourself in such a situation, stay strong, determined and optimistic. God is with you.

Esther 4:4 (KJV) – “So Esther’s maids and her chamberlains came and told it her. Then was the queen exceedingly grieved; and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from him: but he received it not.”

Many have failed to witness the results of being diligent in their purposes because they gave up too easily and quickly. They expected their work to produce results immediately since God had communicated to them the purpose He had set for them. Once they face challenges, they throw in the towel and want nothing to do with the calling that God has given them. Some pastors and evangelists have stopped preaching because they heard someone negatively commenting about them. Some have been discouraged by relatives and friends who have given them all ‘good’ and ‘sound’ reasons not to follow their calling. The Bible tells us that even the brothers of Jesus did not believe in Him (John 7:5).

Esther, who was Mordecai’s relative, told Mordecai to remove his sackcloth, but Mordecai refused because Mordecai was steadfast in his purpose. Mordecai had hope that it was possible for something to be done. Therefore, by faith and believing in what he had not yet seen, he continued with his protests. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. believed in a better America even though he did not live to see it. He was assassinated because of his protests against segregation, but he constantly held on to his belief. Years after he died, history was written in the United States of America by electing Barrack Obama as the first black President in 2008 who was inaugurated in 2009 and served till 2016. Mordecai loved Esther but chose not to swim in the comfortable pool of mediocrity because he believed that the Jews could be in a better state than they were.

Esther 4:12-14 (KJV) – “¹² And they told to Mordecai Esther’s words. ¹³ Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the King’s house, more than all the Jews. ¹⁴ For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

Mordecai did his best to convince Esther of the fate that would befall them if Haman’s plans succeeded. By faith, he believed that Esther could change her mind since she had previously said that it was impossible for her to help them because she was not allowed to enter the King’s palace for thirty days. He convinced Esther and urged her to shun fear and take a step of faith and enter the King’s palace. It is an act of faith when we encourage people to do what they think is impossible for the glory of God.

Esther 4:16-17 (KJV) – “¹⁶ Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the King, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish. ¹⁷ So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.”

“The crisis that Esther faced demanded quick, earnest action; but both she and Mordecai realized that unless God should work mightily in their behalf, their own efforts would be unavailing. So Esther took time for communion with God, the source of her strength. “Go,” she directed Mordecai, “gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish” – Daughters of God, Page 46.5, Ellen G. White.

Mordecai convinced Esther, and she urged him to gather all the Jews present in Shushan and fast for her for three days. Mordecai did as Esther had commanded him even though she was her junior in age and like a daughter to her. Some people will never follow the advice of someone who is below. For instance, some parents cannot allow their children to advise them because they are younger than them.

God is in every living thing. He can use anybody to pass His message. It won’t put you in a lower position if you humbly follow the Godly counsel of your children. Also, children, when giving your parents counsel, do it with respect, not like you are demeaning them. Mordecai cooperated with Esther, gathered the Jews, and they fasted and prayed for Esther.

Esther 5:9-13 (KJV) – “⁹ Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in the King’s gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him, he was full of indignation against Mordecai. ¹⁰ Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife. ¹¹ And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all the things wherein the King had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the King. ¹² Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the King unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and tomorrow am I invited unto her also with the King. ¹³ Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the King’s gate.”

Haman thought he was invited because he was more special than everyone else. He also recalled how the King had promoted and gifted him with great riches each time he invited him. However, he was angry because Mordecai never bowed down to him. 

Esther 5:14 (KJV) – “Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and tomorrow speak thou unto the King that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the King unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman, and he caused the gallows to be made.”

Haman told his wife and friends how he hated Mordecai. His wife Zeresh advised him to make gallows fifty cubits high and tell the King to hang Mordecai on them. That was a terrible idea. However, Haman was thrilled with that idea because he was wicked. We should be careful of the advice from our family members and friends. We should not follow any counsel not in line with God’s Word.

In Psalm 1:1 (KJV), the Bible says, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly” This verse means that whoever obeys ungodly advice attracts curses. When Job’s wife advised him to curse God and die, he did not obey. He was willing to stick to God through thick and thin, life and death. Like Haman, Adam obeyed ungodly advice from his wife, which brought the entire world into an absolute debacle. Often, the Devil uses people you love the most to get you into temptations and rob your destiny.

Esther 6:1-3 (NKJV) – “¹ That night the King could not sleep. So one was commanded to bring the book of the records of the chronicles; and they were read before the King. ² And it was found written that Mordecai had told of Bigthan and Teresh, two of the King’s eunuchs, the doorkeepers who had sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. ³ Then the King said, “What honor or dignity has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?” And the King’s servants who attended him said, “Nothing has been done for him.”

Lack of sleep caused King Ahasuerus to be brought the book of the Records of the Chronicles. God works in mysterious ways. God does not forget any good thing you have done, no matter how small. Sometimes God may seem to have forgotten because of the challenges you are facing. He still remembers. When the right time comes, God will open the windows of heaven for you at a time you are least expecting. When Mordecai did that kind action to save the King’s life, he was not expecting anything.

The best investment you can ever make in life is acting righteously everywhere you go at all times. Faith in God brings more fruit than all fertile lands, all gold mines, all blue-chip company stocks, and all other riches in the world combined. The King was amazed to learn about Mordecai and was shocked to realize that nothing had been done to him to compensate for his kind action. He started thinking about how he was going to gift him. At that particular moment, God had steered the heart of the King towards a poor, humble, but righteous man who sat at the gate.

Esther 6:6-10 (NKJV) – “⁶ So Haman came in, and the king asked him, “What shall be done for the man whom the king delights to honor?” Now Haman thought in his heart, “Whom would the king delight to honor more than me?” ⁷ And Haman answered the King, “For the man whom the King delights to honor, ⁸ let a royal robe be brought which the King has worn, and a horse on which the King has ridden, which has a royal crest placed on its head. ⁹ Then let this robe and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the King’s most noble princes that he may array the man whom the King delights to honor. Then parade him on horseback through the city square, and proclaim before him: ‘Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor!’ “¹⁰ Then the King said to Haman, “Hurry, take the robe and the horse, as you have suggested, and do so for Mordecai the Jew who sits within the King’s gate! Leave nothing undone of all that you have spoken.”

The King consulted Haman, Mordecai’s enemy, to uplift Mordecai. God will sometimes use your enemies to elevate you. That may be one reason why God still keeps your enemies alive. If Haman had been dead before the King chose to uplift Mordecai, Mordecai probably could not have gotten the honor he got. The King asked Haman how the person whom the King delights to honor should be treated. Haman thought that the King wanted to honor him. Therefore, he went ahead to list lofty gifts that portrayed honor.

Haman was probably the highest-ranking official in Shushan, and he was exposed to good things from the palace, and he was very rich. If the King had asked a lowly servant in the palace the question he asked Haman, that servant would have probably mentioned lowly gifts slightly above his level. To clarify this point, if a company owner or investor wants to gift someone with an expensive gift, the best person to ask is the Chief Executive Officer of that company and not a janitor because the CEO is highly likely to be more exposed and will probably recommend a more expensive gift than a janitor.

The King had to ask the highest official because he desired to honor Mordecai with great substance. Therefore, when you see your enemies higher than you, do not feel discouraged. Don’t lose sight of the shore, calm waters await beyond the storm. God has put them there for a reason. He may have placed them there so that they can lift you.

The Bible says in Deuteronomy 28:30 (KJV) – “Thou shalt build an house, and thou shalt not dwell therein: thou shalt plant a vineyard, and shall not gather the grapes thereof.” This verse is one of the listed curses that people who are disobedient to God will get. The question is, the house they have built, who is going to live in them? The vineyards that they have planted, who is going to eat from them?

Proverbs 13:22 (KJV) – “The wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.” Please do not tamper with your enemy’s effort when you see him building a house or progressing in life. He may be building a house and making progress for you. However, do not depend on this. Focus on God and serve Him wholeheartedly. God has innumerable ways to bless you.

Haman was higher in rank than Mordecai, but unlike the other people in Shushan, Mordecai never bowed down to Haman. Instead, he bowed down to God. If you esteem God before people, God will make people who despise you and those above you respect you. People disobey God’s rules to get favor from men. For example, some choose to break the Sabbath to get favor from their bosses. To their disappointment, the bosses treat them worse than before. If you remain steadfast in keeping the commandments of God, people will respect you. Some may despise you at the present when you are keeping them, but they will eventually honor you in the future.

Mark 10:29-30 (KJV) – “²⁹ So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, ³⁰ who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life.”

Esther 7:10 (KJV) – “So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the King’s wrath pacified.”

Proverbs 26:27 (KJV) – “Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.” This verse was proved by Haman when he was hanged on the gallows that he had made to hang Mordecai. Matthew 7:12 (KJV) – “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” Haman would not have loved to be hanged on those gallows, but he wanted someone else to be hanged on them.

Therefore, before you do anything to someone, ask if you would love the same to be done to you. If not, then do not do it to someone else. For instance, some people know that alcohol harms their health but have no problem buying it for others. If it is not good for you, it is not good for someone else. Mordecai did one small good action to the King, and the King rewarded him heavily. Sometimes, you may do well to someone, and they fail to appreciate it. Do not worry, and do not stop doing well. God will reward you; God’s reward has no limitations since the Lord is limitless.

Esther 8:1-2 (KJV) – “¹ On that day did the King Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews’ enemy unto Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the King; for Esther had told what he was unto her. ² And the King took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.”

God rewarded Mordecai’s faith by enriching him from sitting at the gate to holding a high position at the palace. He was given the ring that Haman once had. Hebrews 11:6 (KJV) – “But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” God greatly rewards those who have faith. When we do something right, we should do it because God tells us to and not expect rewards from our righteous actions.

However, unlike man, God will not allow you to do something without getting rewarded. You may not always receive that reward immediately, but you will surely get it. Luke 6:38 (KJV) – “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”

Esther 8:15 (KJV) – “And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad.”

Proverbs 29:2 (KJV) – “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.” Everyone in Shushan rejoiced when they saw Mordecai, including the non-Jews. They were delighted to see him arrayed in royal apparel and with a crown of gold. People rejoice when a righteous man is put in a position of authority because a righteous person will administer justice and make decisions that uplift society. Therefore, the population in Shushan was happy when King Ahasuerus uplifted Mordecai’s position.

Esther 9:4-5 (KJV) – “⁴ For Mordecai was great in the King’s house, and his fame went out throughout all the provinces: for this man Mordecai waxed greater and greater. ⁵ Thus the Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and slaughter, and destruction, and did what they would unto those that hated them.”

Mordecai kept on rising and rising because he honored God. Stagnation is not from God. Proverbs 4:18-19 (KJV) – “¹⁸ But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. ¹⁹ The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.” God wants to keep lifting you higher and higher. That is why He wants you to obey Him. If you show excellence at the stage you are currently in, God will take you to the next level.

It is God who promotes, not men. God promotes when you show him faithfulness at the level that you are in. He can prove that you will be faithful at the next level through your faithfulness at your current level. In Matthew 25, when the first and second servants showed good stewardship of their talents, their master welcomed them to dine with him at the feast.

The first servant was given the talent of the lazy third servant (Matthew 25:28) because he showed his actions and proved to the master that he would be faithful with that talent. The first one was given and not the second one, probably because the master knew that it was the first one who would give back the highest return.

Many times, God acts the same way when blessing men. God has infinite resources. However, He gives more resources to those who would use them for the greatest good. For example, a professed Christian might be selfish and not want to help anyone except himself. God will probably not give him/her many resources because they would go to waste if He gave them to him. On the other hand, there might be an unbeliever who is very generous and always supports charitable causes. God may give that unbeliever more because through him, many children will be educated, the poor will be taken care of, hospital bills will be paid, and a lot of good will be done.

Daniel 1:1-2 (KJV) – “¹ In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it. ² And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.”

God entrusted Nebuchadnezzar with His vessels more than He trusted Jehoiakim, even though Nebuchadnezzar was a pagan king. Jehoiakim was born into a God-fearing family since he was the son of King Josiah. Despite this, he did evil in the sight of God. Nebuchadnezzar might not have known the Most High God, but he acknowledged the sacredness of the vessels by placing them in the house of his god. He did not play around with them even though he did not know the living God.  

Mordecai was elevated by God, being taken from a high level to another high level. We rarely see people being blessed astonishingly because faith is rare among men. God has no limit to the heights He can take you. 2 Samuel 12:7-8 (AMP) – “⁷ Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man! Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘I anointed you as King over Israel, and I spared you from the hand of Saul. ⁸ I also gave you your master’s house, and put your master’s wives into your care and under your protection, and I gave you the house (royal dynasty) of Israel and Judah; and if that had been too little, I would have given you much more!”

David was the King of Israel. He had great wealth. I wonder what God meant when He said; He would have given him more. This shows us how infinitely great and mighty God is. John 14:12 (KJV) – ^“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.” One of Jesus’s greatest miracles while on this earth was raising the dead. I wonder what other miracle can be greater than that. However, He says that if we believe in Him, we will do greater things than that. God is extremely good in that He wants mere mortals (you and I) to surpass his track record.

Esther 10:3 (KJV) – “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.”

Mordecai was promoted by the King in that he was second to him. Through faith, Mordecai did all that he could with everything he had. He is an excellent example in the stewardship lesson. His life proves that if we live by faith and do all that we can with all we have, God will take us to levels that we did not expect. Just as Esther’s courage illuminated the palace halls, Mordecai’s faith casts a brilliant light on the path of his convictions. Mordecai’s faith was like a decree, as unyielding and resolute as King Xerxes’ command, shaping his destiny with unwavering belief.

GOD BLESS YOU!

Prayer

Dear God, please help me do all I can with all I have. Help me always to encourage others. In Jesus name, Amen.

Activity

1. List down everything you own
2. Ask God to show you how to use each item for His glory effectively.
3. List people who you think need encouragement, and prayerfully devise ways that you are going to encourage them.

Author: Mark Alex   

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