Mordecai, the Unsung Hero

When I read the book of Esther, I am always so amazed at the beauty of her character—the gentle, quiet spirit that surpasses all adornments and that is so pleasing to God (1 Pet 3:4). I am always so envious of how she seemed to obtain the favor of all who saw her, how courageous, selfless, and wise she was in her dealings with the problems that surrounded her life, and how readily she entrusted everything to God through prayer!

But this time around, my eyes were opened to the great love, faith, and humility of someone I had always seemed to brush over: Mordecai.

Though the Bible never hints at whether or not Mordecai had his own family to take care of, we can see from his actions that his heart was faithfully devoted to his own family, his people, and to his God. When Esther was chosen for beauty treatment in the palace, he paced in front of Esther’s quarters daily, to check on the cousin he devoted his entire life to take care of (2:11). When the fatal decree was sent out, that all the Jews should perish, he not only wept and mourned, but immediately “tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, [crying] out with a loud and bitter cry” (4:1).

Why was he able to do this? Undoubtedly, he held God’s people and His commandments close to his heart. Despite the seemingly hopeless situation that was in store for the Jews, he had faith that God also saw the suffering of His own beloved people, saying, “relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews” (4:14, emphasis mine). This critical moment also reveals how much Mordecai emphasized religious education in his own home. His own devotion to the commandments of God is clearly seen through his determination not to bow down to Haman and even more so through Esther’s godly, submissive, and amiable character. When trouble came from Haman’s plans for the Jews, he had the wisdom to recognize God’s good will and trust in His deliverance.

What’s more, Mordecai never demanded anything in return to saving the king’s life, nor did he become haughty when he was honored or when he eventually became second to the king in the entire nation. As he had taught Esther to do, Mordecai also did: he used the position the Lord blessed him with to seek the good of his people. Though the Bible especially mentions Mordecai’s “greatness”, he did not puff himself up, but spoke peaceably to all his countrymen and sought their good because he feared the Lord (10:3).

Do we likewise show the same selfless love and concern for the brothers and sisters in our church? Do we possess the same faith to place God as the Ruler of our hearts, no matter what others say of us? Or do we find ourselves growing complacent, and perhaps puffed up, when God blesses us with stability and success in our physical and spiritual lives?

Let’s learn from Mordecai, the faithful unsung hero in the book of Esther. Let’s learn from his steadfast love, his grounded faith, and his unwavering humility so that we, too, may be beloved in the eyes of the Lord and useful in the church of God. Amen.

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