Bible Character Studies: Mordecai

Character studies: Mordecai

Mordecai stepped in to care for Esther (his cousin) when her parents died. (Est. 2:7) We don’t know the circumstances of their deaths, but he became the only family she knew, and he raised her as his daughter. How devastated he must have felt when she was kidnapped into the palace. Some give the impression it was an ancient beauty contest of sorts and that she went willingly. However, according to Est. 2:2-4 the plan proposed to “seek” beautiful young virgins, with “officers” appointed in all provinces so they may “gather them” into Shushan into the women’s quarters, “under custody.” It also says she was among one of the many women “gathered”. It also says she was “taken” (Est. 2:9) This does not sound voluntary.

Because he was somewhat involved in palace affairs (at the gate, where most business is conducted), he checked on her daily, anxiously inquiring after her welfare. It was all he could do.

He is a loyal servant of the King, even if he probably hates that he is here in exile, rather than in Israel. He overhears a plot to assassinate the king. He does the right thing and reports it (Est. 2:21-23) resulting in the execution of the co-conspirators, but no acknowledgement of his part in saving the King’s life, until after a sleepless night five long years later.

Yet, he seems to be a little more than obstinate and surly, in refusing to bow down to Haman. It’s not in worship, but in deference to a superior. I’m sure he bowed before the king. There is nothing in Scripture that forbids such a courtesy, but Mordecai seems to be as irked by Haman as Haman is of Mordecai. That ancient conflict as they came out of Egypt, and then when Saul failed to destroy them was now carried on with their descendants. This sets Haman off on his murderous plan of genocide.

How did Mordecai feel when he learned that his unreasonable behaviour toward this man had prompted the potential destruction of all the Jews? We know he mourned but did he take any responsibility? Scripture doesn’t record that for us. And we see no change in his behaviour, as he still shows no deference to Haman after the plan is in place. In this case, he is not expected to bow, but to stand, and he won’t even do that. (Est. 5:9)

Esther chapter four has an interesting account of how Mordecai informed Esther of Haman’s plans. Imagine, she was the Queen and yet was not informed of the day to day management of the kingdom. That Mordecai possessed an actual copy of the edict shows his level of prominence in government. He refuses the clothes she sends to him so that he can enter the palace. Instead they communicate through messengers. He also gives her a copy of the edict so she believes it and is aware of the details, which she later mentions to Xerxes. (Est. 3:13,7:4) From this we know she is literate.

Mordecai is no doubt surprised when one day Haman shows up at his door to honour him. Haman leads Mordecai through the streets of Susa, told to announce that “This is what is to be done for the man whom the king delights to honour.” Can you imagine the steam coming out of his ears? How enthusiastically did he shout, I wonder? (Est. 6:1-11) He was not puffed up by this, but returned to work, “Afterward Mordecai went back to the king’s gate.” Est. 6:12a

His famous line which demonstrates his faith is Est. 4:13,14 In it he reminds her that being a queen did not immunize her from danger, since it was an unchangeable law, and the king was unpredictable.

“And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: ‘Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews. For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?’”

Although the second decree, which Mordecai and Esther wrote, authorized the Jews to gather together, to fight to defend themselves, to kill men, women and children and to plunder their goods, the reality was that only men were killed (75, 810 Est. 9:6, 10,15,16) and unlike Saul, they did not lay hands on the plunder. They only wanted to save their own lives.

Eventually, after all is said and done, he is promoted to second in command. God vindicated both Mordecai and all the Jews, and saved them, even in the land of their exile. Mordecai didn’t use his position to seek his own wealth, but the welfare of his people.

“On that day King Ahasuerus gave Queen Esther the house of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. And Mordecai came before the king, for Esther had told how he was related to her.  So the king took off his signet ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai; and Esther appointed Mordecai over the house of Haman.” Est. 8:1-3

“Now all the acts of his power and his might, and the account of the greatness of Mordecai, to which the king advanced him, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia?  For Mordecai the Jew was second to King Ahasuerus, and was great among the Jews and well received by the multitude of his brethren, seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to all his countrymen.” Est. 10:2,3