Return from Exile: Esther 6-10 (7)

Pray Psalm 66.1-4.
Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth!
Sing out the honor of His name;
Make His praise glorious.
Say to God,
“How awesome are Your works!
Through the greatness of Your power
Your enemies shall submit themselves to You.
All the earth shall worship You
And sing praises to You;
They shall sing praises to Your name.”
Selah

Sing Psalm 66.1-4.
(Regent Square: Angels from the Realms of Glory)
Shout for joy to God, all people, sing the glory of His Name!
Give Him glorious praise and say, “How great Your pow’r and great Your fame!
All the earth shall worship gladly as they praise Your glorious Name!”

Review Esther 6-10; meditate on Esther 6.1-3 and 10.1, 2.

Preparation
1. What did the king consult?

2. Where was Mordecai’s greatness recorded?

Meditation
This generation of believers, especially in America, practices a studied ignorance of history, including their own history, the history of the Christian movement. We have previously commented on the folly of maintaining such ignorance: We are condemned to repeat the mistakes of the past.

The Medes and Persians knew the importance of keeping good records, at least where matters of kings and the empire were concerned. We see the same thing in the Bible. God faithfully records and frequently reviews the work He has done in history on behalf of His people. Mordecai made it both in to God’s records and those of the Medo-Persian court. He was admired for his work, and hopefully, we have learned something about faithfulness, courage, and serving others from his and Esther’s examples.

We dare not give over the records of history to those who do not know the Lord. For they will surely attempt to rewrite the events of history to favor their personal or political agendas. They will certainly obscure or neglect to mention that many of the greatest people of Western history were believers in Jesus and did many good works in His Name. Not just theologians and pastors, but artists, musicians, scientists, kings and governors, writers and poets, composers, and uncountable ordinary folk who loved their neighbors well populate the pages of the historical record. And we can learn from them, but only if we care as much about their good works as the Medes and Persians cared about those of Mordecai.

For the record, Christianity—as even unbelievers acknowledge—has contributed more good to world history than any other religion, movement, or power. And we can add to that record daily as we follow the example of our forebears and do good works in the Name of the Lord.

Treasures Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
“For what great nation is there that has God so near to it,
as the LORD our God is to us,
for whatever reason we may call upon Him?
And what great nation is there that has such statutes and righteous judgments
as are in all this law which is set before you this day?
Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself,
lest you forget the things your eyes have seen and
lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life.
And teach them to your children and your grandchildren…
that they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth,
and that they may teach their children” (Deut. 4.7-10).

History is important on a cosmic level—God’s history;
and it is important on a national level—a country’s history;
and it is important on a personal level—a family’s history.

Every family has stories that are tragic, life-changing, humorous, loving, and full of the works of God.
Ahasuerus during a sleepless night, wanted the book of the records of the chronicles of his tenure to be read aloud to him—an act akin to looking through baby books or photo albums or times of verbal family fellowship rehearsing favorite stories held dear.

As you look through the chronicles of the records of your life, who comes to mind?
Are there people who need to be reminded of your love?
Are there people who need to be thanked for unconditional love shown to you?
Is there someone that needs your appreciation for sharing Jesus Christ with you?
Is there a Mordecai or Esther—an encourager or life-saver—that needs to be remembered?

Ahasuerus wanted to know what had been done for this Mordecai who had saved his life. (Esth. 6.3)
When he found that nothing had been done, he got to work righting that wrong.
Every day we have that same opportunity, to remember and do, things that have been left undone.

“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine
making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now,
being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it
until the day of Jesus Christ; just as it is right for me to think this of you all,
because I have you in my heart…” (Phil. 1.3-7).

Love and appreciation…for the record.

For reflection
1. There are people who have recorded an impact on your Christian life. Take time to thank God for them, and, if you can, express your thanks to them.

2. What opportunities will you have today to record an impact on someone else’s history? How should you prepare for this?

3. Whom will you encourage today in their walk with and work for the Lord?

Mordecai was truly great, and his greatness gave him opportunities of doing the more good. He did not disown his people the Jews, and no doubt kept to the true religion. He did not seek his own wealth, but the welfare of his people. Few have it in their power to do so much good as Mordecai; but all have it in their power to do hurt, and who has it not in his power to do some good? Matthew Henry (1662-1714), Commentary on Esther 10.1-3

Pray Psalm 66.5-12.
Thank God for His salvation and for all the many ways, through the years, He has blessed, kept, and used you for His glory. Praise God for all His good works throughout the course of history.

Sing Psalm 66.5-12.
(Regent Square: Angels from the Realms of Glory)
Great and awesome is our Savior in the works which He has done.
He the sea and river dried to let His people cross as one.
Then our joy was great to worship Him our mighty, sovereign One.

He the nations watches ever—all you rebels, humbled be.
Bless our God, all men and nations, praise His Name eternally!
He preserves our souls, and He will keep His paths beneath our feet.

You have tried us, Lord, as silver, and have brought us into nets,
made us carry heavy burdens, let men trample o’er our heads.
But through all Your grace sustained us and has brought us through to rest.

T. M. and Susie Moore 

Two books can help us understand our own captivity and lead us to seek revival and renewal in the Lord. The Church Captive asks us to consider the ways the Church today has become captive to the world. And Revived! can help us find the way to renewal. Learn more and order your free copies by clicking here and here.

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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (Williston: Waxed Tablet Publications, 2006), available free by clicking here.