The Hawk Eye – Mordecai & Some Traits of an Influential Man of God.

 

The question is “What are some traits exhibited by a man after God’s own heart?”  Mordecai’s our man today.  And, here’re a few of my verse-by-verse questions and comments as I went over our reference for this discussion: the story of Esther Chpt 1-4.

1:4 – Seems pretty pompous, vain and childish of King Ahasuerus. Showing all that he has…to people who already know he has a lot.

1:5 – Well, at least he doesn’t forget the lil’ people.

1:6 – That’s kinda cool that he opened up such an upscale area to even, “the least”.  I wonder if Mordecai and Esther were at the feast? They would have witnessed the queens’ refusal, or at least the King’s reaction!

1:9 – Were the men and women separated for most or all of this celebration?  Or was Queen Vashti’s part-ay for certain women…the women in the palace.  Her crew.  Her peeps.  Maybe she was like the head cheerleader who had the king’s ear.  Maybe she’s the neck that turns the head, so to speak.  Or, at least, she was.

1:10 – Why did it take seven eunuchs to summon one queen?  Maybe the number of eunuchs indicated the weight of the king’s request…

1:15 – The king did not know his own laws? So he trusted in the opinions of those near him. 

1:16 – Only one prince spoke up.  Was this after consulting with the other princes?  Funny, how there’s no mention of any law in their verdict. 

1:19 – Seems harsh. Bitter. Superstitious.  Couldn’t he just talk with her?

1:21 – Looks like this judgment was only one person’s idea, because when it was publicized, it “…pleased the princes.”

1:22 – The king went along with this one man’s advice, that was not based in law but that appealed to the king’s ego and his fears.  The king seems very hot-tempered, impetuous, and maybe a little naïve.

1:22 – I wonder what the households thought when they got this letter?  Were they shaking their heads at another of the kings off-the-wall, out-of-nowhere missives?  Were they glad for a definitive word from the King about how they should run their households?  Maybe they cared very little, and life continued, business-as-usual.

2:1 – Wonder how long it took for him to start reconsidering his actions – for him to sober up?

2:3 – Why didn’t they choose from among the women the king already had? Also, why wasn’t Haggai sent to summon Queen Vashti, that one time?  Maybe his being the eunuch over the harem would have made it insulting to send him after the queen.

2:6 – Did Esther know anything about the exile? Was she a part of it or too young?

2:7 – Esther’s only family?  How much older (or younger) was he than she?  Was she married?

2:8 – Weren’t cousins fair marrying game, back then?  Why didn’t he marry Esther?

2:9 – Amongst all those beauties, Esther’s was either brillian, or she stood out in some other way; perhaps in the way she carried herself, related to the people and world around her?

2:10 – Mordecai warns Esther about guarding certain info. Being prudent, not naïve.  He’s teaching her to practice wisdom, sensitivity to the situation.

2:10 – Were the Jews disliked widely at this time?

2:11 – Mordecai: worry-wart? Father-like?  Wouldn’t the word get back that this Jew was asking about one girl’s welfare?  Maybe he just stood by until he could overhear news about her; the Word doesn’t say he asked for info.  PATIENT! AWARE, ALERT.

2:14 – Why were there two harems?  What was the difference between Haggai’s and the other?

2:15 – Would I have been that smart?  Looks like Moredecai’s instruction towards wisdom is shining through.

2:17 – It worked! Go Girl!

2:19 – Is this how Mordecai found out the news?  There everyday, he probably was aware well before most, by keeping his ears pressed to the gates.

2:22 – How’d he get the message to Esther?  Did they meet?  How’d they set up their communication, which seems like it continued, even though she was under the king’s care (v. 20…”as she had done when under his care.”)

3:4 – Mordecai told them he was a Jew, but apparently revealed little else.

3:5-6 – Haman filled with rage because someone couldn’t be made to do something for him.  Tries to eradicate all threat of opposition.

3:10 – King Ahasuerus doesn’t even care.  What is he smoking?!  What is he pre-occupied with?  Pleasure and winning wars?

3:11 – He didn’t even care ‘bout the money being offered him.  Just wanted someone else to handle this new task.

3:15 – Did the king even realize what was goin on that very moment?  Is he so distant as to not understand what he’s approved?

4:1 – Was Mordecai the only one wailing in the streets in sackcloths or did he have company? (v. 3)

4:4 – Life threw Esther a curve ball.

4:5 – Was there a eunuch assigned to Queen Vashti while she reigned, as well?  Again, why didn’t the king use Queen Vashti’s eunuch to summon her that one time?

4:8 – Mordecai came prepared!  “If you stay ready you don’t have to get ready.”

4:8 – “To order”?!  Wow.  He’s got nerve to be ordering the queen!  Whose in charge here, anyway?  He must know God’s directive, and knows on Who’s behalf he’s delivering the message.

4:13-14 – Mordecai is Ka-Razy!   He doesn’t mince words?  No cooing, coddling or sympathy for her position.  And, yet he is faithful of God’s coming through for His people.  But, Mordecai had to remind Esther who her King was.

4:17 – He didn’t push his luck.  He followed her directive; now that he knew her head was on straight.

4:16 – What kind of relationship did Esther and King Ahasuerus have that she would fear her life?  He’s shown himself to be preoccupied with his own world and pleasures.  Does this all indicate instability, fickleness and even impatience on his part?

What are some traits that the king consistently displays?

What are some traits that Mordecai consistently displays?

Do I personally know anyone that regularly displays similar characteristics of King Ahasuerus? of Mordecai?

Why did Esther refer to Mordecai over King Ahasuerus, even when it possibly meant her own life?

Conclusion: Position does not guarantee influence.  Esther trusts in Mordecai, knowing his motivation stems from the One Who promises that His plan is for good, and not for evil; it’s a plan for a future and a hope. (Jer. 29:11)

As a man of God, Mordecai recognizes how the Lord’s authority and deliberate plan can work through him and through others; he endeavors to place himself wherever God can use him; and remains alert to what’s going on around him.  His continual dependency on The Solid Rock anchors him and provides steady, upright direction for those who rely on him.

Was Mordecai a perfect man of God? 

He’s human. And, this is only one portion of his story that we see.  Some people have seen many of us on our best days, but if they knew the whole tale, they’d see a very human one. (For instance, who was Mordecai before taking on the responsibility of Esther’s upbringing?  What experiences brought about all that wisdom…?  I mean, he probably wasn’t just born with it.)