The focus of the book of Esther is often placed on the title character Esther. Of course, this is for good reason as she an orphan Jewish girl become queen in the land of her captivity. Something that seems to have been orchestrated by the very hands of the Lord. She even would be willing to lose her own life in an effort to save her people. But what is often overlooked in the book is the strong faith of Mordecai. A man who the modern church could stand to learn much from about standing firm in one’s faith no matter what.
The strong faith of Mordecai is one of the driving reasons we have the book of Esther. As it was his unwillingness to bow the knee to Haman that lead to the order being sent out to destroy all the Jewish people throughout the land. Mordecai was unwilling to exalt a mere man and in turn dishonor the Lord he faithfully served. Even when all those around him kept urging him to comply day after day.
Esther 3:2–4 (ESV)
2 And all the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman, for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai did not bow down or pay homage. 3 Then the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate said to Mordecai, “Why do you transgress the king’s command?” 4 And when they spoke to him day after day and he would not listen to them, they told Haman, in order to see whether Mordecai’s words would stand, for he had told them that he was a Jew.
The faith of Mordecai is then put on display again. After the orders had been sent out into the land as he turns to queen Esther for help. Believing that it was God who placed her in her position as queen for just such a time as the one they were facing. He meets a trying time head-on with the faith in the Lord.
But his faith did not stop at believing Esther was meant to play a part in saving He people. As he believed that even if she did not act deliverance for the Jews would come from another source. He never doubted that God would once again rescue His people even in a foreign land.
Esther 4:14 (ESV)
14 For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
We need to have faith similar to that of Mordecai. Unwilling to act against our morals and beliefs in any circumstance. Even when others continually try to sway us. We should trust that God cares for His people and will never forsake them. Even when they are in a foreign land or when the future already seems settled in writing.
Mordecai had faith that was unwavering in every circumstance. The same kind of faith every believer should strive to have. His faith, in the end, paid off just as faith in the Lord always does. Esther was able to speak to the king and effectually save her people.
Esther 8:3–8 (ESV)
3 Then Esther spoke again to the king. She fell at his feet and wept and pleaded with him to avert the evil plan of Haman the Agagite and the plot that he had devised against the Jews. 4 When the king held out the golden scepter to Esther, Esther rose and stood before the king.
5 And she said, “If it please the king, and if I have found favor in his sight, and if the thing seems right before the king, and I am pleasing in his eyes, let an order be written to revoke the letters devised by Haman the Agagite, the son of Hammedatha, which he wrote to destroy the Jews who are in all the provinces of the king. 6 For how can I bear to see the calamity that is coming to my people? Or how can I bear to see the destruction of my kindred?”
7 Then King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther and to Mordecai the Jew, “Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and they have hanged him on the gallows, because he intended to lay hands on the Jews. 8 But you may write as you please with regard to the Jews, in the name of the king, and seal it with the king’s ring, for an edict written in the name of the king and sealed with the king’s ring cannot be revoked.”
Esther 8:16–17 (ESV)
16 The Jews had light and gladness and joy and honor. 17 And in every province and in every city, wherever the king’s command and his edict reached, there was gladness and joy among the Jews, a feast and a holiday. And many from the peoples of the country declared themselves Jews, for fear of the Jews had fallen on them.
Because of his faith, Mordecai was blessed with positions and honor that he never actually sought out. He simply lived to serve his God and everything else was added to him. Just as Jesus said would be done for those who first seek the Kingdom of God.
Esther 6:10–11 (ESV)
10 Then the king said to Haman, “Hurry; take the robes and the horse, as you have said, and do so to Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate. Leave out nothing that you have mentioned.” 11 So Haman took the robes and the horse, and he dressed Mordecai and led him through the square of the city, proclaiming before him, “Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor.”
Esther 8:2 (ESV)
2 And the king took off his signet ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.
Esther 9:4 (ESV)
4 For Mordecai was great in the king’s house, and his fame spread throughout all the provinces, for the man Mordecai grew more and more powerful.
Esther 10:3 (ESV)
3 For Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Ahasuerus, and he was great among the Jews and popular with the multitude of his brothers, for he sought the welfare of his people and spoke peace to all his people.
Matthew 6:33 (ESV)
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Esther is a great example to the church, but as you read through the book of Esther don’t neglect Mordecai. A man of great faith and one we can learn so much from. His faith and life lived go far beyond what we were able to speak of in this article. As he fulfilled God’s call for His people to care for orphans and widows. He even showed his respect to the king, as instructed by the Lord, warning him about a plot against his life.
Mordecai’s faith in the Lord came before everything else in his life. He served God with all he had and honored him by his actions. We have the scripture as an example and Mordecai is our example of a faith-filled life. Let’s embrace his example and live by always putting our faith first. Fulling trusting God in every circumstance.
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