On Account of His Name

Mordecai the Jew [became] 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. (Esther 10:3, NIV 1984).

My Musings – An interesting postscript to the book of Esther. One might think that Esther was quite the negotiator or that Xerxes could not resist her charms. Afterall, “the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins.” (Esther 2:17, NIV 1984), that had been brought to him as potential replacements for the deposed queen Vashti. But there was more to it than that.

“That night [before the banquet where Queen Esther would make her appeal] the king could not sleep; so, he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him. It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, who had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. ‘What honor and recognition has Mordecai received for this?’ the king asked. ‘Nothing has been done for him,’ his attendants answered. (Esther 6:1-3, NIV 1984). Coincidence? Not hardly. God was working behind the scenes setting the stage for Esther and the Jews.

And what was Esther’s request of the king? “‘If I have found favor with you, O king, and if it pleases your majesty, grant me my life—this is my petition. And spare my people—this is my request. For I and my people have been sold for destruction and slaughter and annihilation. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king.’ King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, ‘Who is he? Where is the man who has dared to do such a thing?’ Esther said, ‘The adversary and enemy is this vile Haman.” (Esther 7:3-6, NIV 1984).

Now “Esther had not revealed her nationality and family background, because Mordecai had forbidden her to do so.” (Esther 2:10, NIV 1984). But it now was revealed that Haman’s vendetta against Mordecai and the Jews was against the man the king now wished to honor for preventing his assassination and included his queen. Haman was not having a good time at the banquet. “One of the eunuchs attending the king, said, ‘A gallows seventy-five feet high stands by Haman’s house. He had it made for Mordecai, who spoke up to help the king.’ The king said, ‘Hang him on it!’ So, they hanged Haman on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai.” (Esther 7:9-10, NIV). No, not a good time at all.

My Advice – This Satan inspired hatred of the Jews has continued throughout history, to this day. On account of being God’s chosen people. And it is increasingly being spread to Christians. When speaking about the end times, Jesus warned us that “they will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. This will result in your being witnesses to them. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to [physical] death. All men will hate you because of me. But not a hair of your head will perish [spiritually]. By standing firm you will gain [eternal] life.” (Luke 21:12-19, NIV 1984).

I don’t know about you, but I can think of no nobler way to die that by “standing firm” “on account of [His] name.” After all, He died for us. So, whatever the cost, stand firm.