Summary of Esther 10
Mordecai was second only to King Xerxes and was held in high esteem for the work he did for his people.
BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 15, Day 5: Esther 10
12) Mordecai always put the people first and worked to ensure they were preserved. Mordecai exhibited profound loyalty and selflessness. Instead of using his new power for personal gain, he actively “sought the good of his people” and “spoke peace to all his kindred.” His memorial was glowing because he used his position to ensure their welfare and security.
13a) The world defines greatness by self-exaltation: power, wealth, and fame. God’s definition is the opposite, based on self-sacrificial service. He measures greatness not by who you rule or what you accumulate, but by how you humbly use your influence to love and seek the good of others.
b) Inherent selfishness. The primary obstacles are our inherent self-interest and a fear of scarcity. We naturally prioritize our own comfort and security. A lack of empathy and a cultural focus on individualism also make it difficult to put the needs of others before our own personal well-being.
14) God has given me my kids, spouse, and family. I can always put their needs first.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 15, Day 5: Esther 10
Love this! Love seeing Mordecai get his due after all he’s done for the people.
End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 15, Day 5: Esther 10
God works His plans through humans’ free will.
END NOTES SUMMARIZED
Esther 10 is a brief epilogue that solidifies the permanent reversal of fortunes for the Jewish people and the complete exaltation of their protector, Mordecai.
Interpretation
The three short verses confirm three key facts:
- The King’s Power (v. 1): King Ahasuerus remains a powerful ruler over his vast empire.
- Mordecai’s Historical Greatness (v. 2): Mordecai’s promotion was not a temporary whim. His accomplishments and high position as second-in-command were officially recorded in the royal chronicles of Media and Persia, cementing his status in secular history.
- Mordecai’s True Legacy (v. 3): This key verse explains why he was great. He was popular and esteemed by the Jews because he used his immense power not for personal gain, but to “seek the good of his people and speak peace to all his kindred.”
Conclusion
This chapter provides the final, stable resolution to the story. The book ends not with the king, but with Mordecai, a Jew, securely established in the second-highest position in the empire. It is the ultimate testament to God’s hidden providence, demonstrating that He elevated one of His own people from a state of mourning and near-death to a position of supreme authority, all to ensure the lasting peace, protection, and prosperity of the entire Jewish nation.
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