Mordecai’s story is told in the book of Esther
- Who is Mordecai?
- A Jew from the tribe of Benjamin, living in exile in Persia.
- Cousin and guardian to Esther, who becomes Queen of Persia.
- Government official; he sat “at the king’s gate” which implies some form of service to the Persian government.
- The story takes place during the Persian rule, where Jews are dispersed and not in their homeland.
- Strengths and Accomplishments
- Wisdom and Adviser Role: Mordecai raises Esther and provides her with wisdom. He advises her not to reveal her Jewish identity initially.
- Loyalty to King and Country: Discovers a plot to assassinate King Ahasuerus and reports it, saving the king’s life.
- Devotion to Faith and People: Refuses to bow to Haman, the king’s chief official, as it went against his Jewish beliefs.
- Strategic Thinking: Devises a plan with Esther to save the Jewish people from Haman’s plot of extermination.
- Courageous Leadership: Takes the lead in encouraging Jews to defend themselves, eventually leading to their victory.
- Political Elevation: Becomes second in command to King Ahasuerus after Haman is hanged.
- Weaknesses and Mistakes
- Stubbornness: His refusal to bow to Haman, though admirable for its devotion, puts his entire people at risk initially.
- Low Profile: Keeps a relatively low profile in the early stages, which could be interpreted as avoiding risk to a certain extent.
- Lessons from His Life
- The Power of Faith: Mordecai’s steadfast faith in God serves as a foundation for his actions.
- Importance of Family: His relationship with Esther shows the significance of nurturing and guiding family members.
- Courage Under Fire: Teaches us to stand for what’s right, even when facing immense danger.
- Community Over Self: Prioritizes the well-being of his people over his own safety or position.
- Key Verses (NIV Version)
- Esther 2:7 – “Mordecai had a cousin named Hadassah, whom he had brought up because she had neither father nor mother. This young woman, who was also known as Esther, had a lovely figure and was beautiful.”
- Esther 4:14 – “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”
- Esther 10:3 – “Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews.”