Mordecai Who Was Esther’s Cousin And Guardian
Do you know people believe Mordecai as a Prophet?
Many people think that Mordecai was not just a political man or Esther’s guardian but was a prophet. It was not approved by the bible. But in many Jewish teachings, it is believed that he was a prophet.
Introduction
Esther’s parents died very early when she was too young. Esther was brought up by her cousin. His name was Mordecai. Mordecai lived in the Persian Empire. He was a Jew. Esther was very beautiful and attractive. Because of her charm, she got the opportunity to become the wife of King Ahasuerus. When she went to the king’s court, Mordecai gave her a piece of advice. He said that you should hide your Jewish identity. Keeping it as a secret and did not reveal it to anyone. It will be good for us. Esther incorporated Mordecai’s advice into her own life. Mordecai’s advice greatly benefited Esther and the Jewish empire.
Verse
“Mordecai had a cousin named Hadassah, whom he had brought up because she had neither father nor mother. This young woman, who was also known as Esther, had a lovely figure and was beautiful. Mordecai had taken her as his own daughter when her father and mother died.” (Esther 2:7)
Verse
“Esther had not revealed her nationality and family background, because Mordecai had forbidden her to do so.” (Esther 2:10)
Role of Mordecai in the Life of Esther
Mordecai raised Esther like a father, so he was very important in Esther’s life. When he was selected as a queen to the king’s court, Mordecai advised her to hide Jewish identity, because hiding the truth is beneficial for us. If your Jewish identity is discovered by someone there, your life may be in danger. Mordecai’s advice was taken by Esther and she never told anyone that she belonged to a Jewish family. Mordecai’s advice was completely valid because when the king’s minister Haman got to know that Mordecai was a Jew, he conspired against him. This shows that Mordecai had a very important role in Esther’s life.
Verse
“But Esther had kept secret her family background and nationality just as Mordecai had told her to do, for she continued to follow Mordecai’s instructions as she had done when he was bringing her up.” (Esther 2:20)
Mordecai Role in King’s Life
Mordecai was a very fair person. Once he overheard two eunuchs named Bigthana and Teresh plotting for the King’s murder outside the king’s court. Then he conveyed this news to the king through Esther. Because of this step of Mordecai, the king’s life was saved and it also had a very important impact in Mordecai’s life. The king did not immediately reward Mordecai, but he did not let him act to go in vain. Later he made him his minister.
Verse
“During the time Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, became angry and conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. But Mordecai found out about the plot and told Queen Esther, who in turn reported it to the king, giving credit to Mordecai. And when the report was investigated and found to be true, the two officials were impaled on poles. All this was recorded in the book of the annals in the presence of the king.” (Esther 2:21-23)
Mordecai’s Conflict With Haman
Mordecai was a Jew and a believer in one God. Once he went to the king’s court, the king’s minister named Haman asked Mordecai to bow down. Mordecai could not do this polytheism because he believed in one God. He hid from everyone that he was a Jew, so he refused his command and said, “I will not prostrate.” Because of this, Mordecai hated Haman and thought of taking revenge. He understood that he would definitely a Jew, that’s why he did not prostrate. He hatched a conspiracy. He told the king that the Jews could be a problem for us and we should kill them. The king gave importance to his words and agreed. The king issued an order to kill the Jews. Due to which Mordecai and Esther were very worried. Mordecai thought to reveal their identity to the king so that they and their people can be saved from this trouble.
Verse
“All the royal officials at the king’s gate knelt down and paid honor to Haman, for the king had commanded this concerning him. But Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor.” (Esther 3:2)
Verse
“When Haman saw that Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor, he was enraged. 6 Yet having learned who Mordecai’s people were, he scorned the idea of killing only Mordecai. Instead Haman looked for a way to destroy all Mordecai’s people, the Jews, throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes.” (Esther 3:5-6)
Verse
“He sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape.” (Esther 4:13)
Role of Esther
Esther believed that after Haman had plotted against them, she would go to the king’s court, fast for three days, and ask God for assistance. When Esther went to the king’s court, she declared, “Haman has plotted against us.” He wants us to be destroyed. After hearing her out and understanding her, the king killed Haman on behalf of creating a conspiracy. Thus, Mordecai and Esther were able to save their nation. The Jews were thrilled at the time because the king had given them the freedom to defend themselves.
Verse
Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favor with you, Your Majesty, and if it pleases you, grant me my life—this is my petition. And spare my people—this is my request. For I and my people have been sold to be destroyed, killed and annihilated. 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 he—the man who has dared to do such a thing?”Esther said, “An adversary and enemy! This vile Haman!” Then Haman was terrified before the king and queen.” (Esther 7:3-6)
Mordecai Cast to High Post
After killing Haman for his plots, the king made Mordecai his minister and gave Mordecai all the powers that Haman had. In this way, Mordecai also created many facilities for the Jews.
Verse
“The king took off his signet ring, which he had reclaimed from Haman, and presented it to Mordecai. And Esther appointed him over Haman’s estate.” (Esther 8:2)
Verse
“The king’s edict granted the Jews in every city the right to assemble and protect themselves; to destroy, kill and annihilate the armed men of any nationality or province who might attack them and their women and children, and to plunder the property of their enemies.” (Esther 8:11)
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Mordecai was a man who faced many difficulties but still he always stood by the truth, because of which God supported him at every turn. Mordecai was a very righteous and just person. He brought up an orphan girl Esther and gave her advice that saved her from intrigues and made her life easy. Many people benefited from Mordecai’s personality, such as He also saved the king from dying and also saved the Jews from many conspiracies.
Verse
“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14)
