Men of the Bible: Mordecai

Name: Mordecai

Meaning: Dedicated to Mars

His Character: Because Mordecai adopted his cousin, we can assume that he was a man of compassion. His refusal to bow down to Haman lets us know that he had a strong faith and belief in God.

His Sorrow: Mordecai went into mourning when he learned of the decree to kill the Jewish people.

His Triumph: Mordecai was able to expose a plot to murder the Jews, and he became the prime minister of King Xerxes.

Key Scriptures: The book of Esther

Mordecai was from the tribe of Benjamin. His family was among those who had been exiled to Babylon under King Nebuchadnezzar. He had a cousin who was very beautiful named Hadassah, who was also called Esther. Esther was orphaned, and Mordecai adopted her into his family. He raised her as his own daughter. Mordecai was able to instill in Esther confidence as well as knowledge and respect for her Jewish heritage.

When the young women were sent to the king’s harem, Mordecai would visit Esther every day and counsel her. He instructed her to not tell anyone her nationality and family background. After Esther became queen, Mordecai became a palace official.

It was in this capacity that Mordecai was able to save King Xerxes’ life. Mordecai overhead a plot to assassinate the king, and he told the plot to Esther, who told the king. It was also in this capacity that Mordecai gained an enemy, the king’s prime minister, Haman. Haman was enraged because Mordecai refused to bow down to him. While willing to serve the king, Mordecai was not willing to worship Haman. Haman then plotted to have the Jewish people in the empire killed. Mordecai learned of the plot and was able to enlist the help of Esther.

It was during this time that the king remembered that Mordecai had not been rewarded for exposing the plot to kill him. The king ordered a banquet to honor Mordecai. His enemy, Haman, was tasked to oversee the procession. Eventually, Haman’s plot to kill the Jews was discovered, and the king ordered Haman’s execution.

We can take several lessons from Mordecai’s life. One is that when our enemies plot against us, we have a God who causes them to be caught in their own web. The very instrument that Haman had plotted to kill Mordecai with was the very instrument that Haman himself was executed with. Even when we cannot see it, God is acting on our behalf! Mordecai was then elevated to the role of prime minister, the very role that Haman once held.

The other lesson is that our well doing will catch up with us in due season. The king’s timing of realizing that Mordecai had not been rewarded for saving his life was in God’s timing, and God’s timing is perfect. Our rewards may be delayed, but they will came. Do not be weary in well doing.

Mordecai turned his challenges into opportunities. He was able to instruct and counsel Esther and help save a nation. Both he and Esther had been placed in their positions for such a time. The same is true for us today. God is opening doors and giving us opportunities to make a difference in our worlds.

Walk in the opportunities that God gives you. Believe and know that God is weaving the events of your life for your best. Even when you cannot see how any good could come from your current situation, know that God will work everything out. He will turn your challenges into opportunities.