Learning from Esther 10 – Mordecai as a Symbol of the Holy Spirit

Esther 10:3 – “Mordecai the Jew was 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…”

This is the concluding verse of the book of Esther, and it highlights one of the main points of the book: the character and actions of Mordecai. Mordecai, Ester’s legal guardian, is a prophetic symbol of the Holy Spirit. Just as Mordecai raised Esther, the Holy Spirit rears the faithful church, giving instruction, and forming her character.  The meaning of “Mordecai” in Hebrew is “pure myrrh,” used in the holy anointing oil (see Exodus 30:22-31, symbolizing anointing by the Holy Spirit).

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Learning from Esther 4 – For Such A Time As This

Esther 4:14 – “…And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?”

Esther is a prophetic illustration or type of the faithful church, the Bride of Christ. Through her story, God shows how the faithful church should be. As members of the faithful church, we can also apply her lessons in our own lives.

One such lesson is that God put Esther in a special situation through a remarkable series of events. The timing was perfect for Esther to use her position of influence to help deliver God’s people in a moment of crisis. God put Esther in the queen’s position “for such a time as this” – a moment when the people of God needed a real victory.

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Learning from Esther 3 – Character Traits of Haman & Mordecai

Esther 3:2-5 – “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. Then the royal officials at the king’s gate asked Mordecai, ‘Why do you disobey the king’s command?’ Day after day they spoke to him but he refused to comply. Therefore they told Haman about it to see whether Mordecai’s behavior would be tolerated, for he had told them he was a Jew. When Haman saw that Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor, he was enraged.”

Esther is the only book in the Bible that never mentions God. God is certainly part of the story – the main characters fast and pray, and the answers to their prayers are miraculous. Esther and her relative Mordecai were deeply spiritual, and the Persian royalty at this time were zealous Zoroastrians, who believed in one true God (similar to the Jews) rather than pagan idols. Yet the Bible manages to recount the entire story without mentioning God by name even once.  One reason for this unusual omission is that most of the story focuses on one particular character’s perspective – that of Haman, a court official.

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Learning from Esther 3 – The Genealogies of Haman and Mordecai

Esther 3:1 – “After these events, King Xerxes honored Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, elevating him and giving him a seat of honor higher than that of all the other nobles.”

Haman the Agagite was the main enemy of God’s people in the book of Esther.  He was apparently a descendent of Agag, an Amalekite king.  Hebrew scholars since ancient times have identified Haman with the Agag in 1 Samuel 15.  King Saul lost his kingship because he spared Agag’s life instead of following God’s instructions.

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