Esther 10 Devotional

Greatness Used for Others

“For Mordecai the Jew was second only to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews and highly favored by his many kinsmen, seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to all his countrymen.”Esther 10:3 (BSB)

Esther closes with three short verses. Xerxes imposes tribute to the farthest shores (10:1), but the last word goes to Mordecai, whose great deeds are recorded in the chronicles of Media and Persia (10:2). The exile who once sat in sackcloth outside the king's gate is now second only to the king, and he uses that place for others, seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to them (10:3).

From first to last, God's name has not appeared in this book. Yet a people sentenced to death has been preserved, a proud enemy has fallen, and a faithful man has been lifted up. God often works this way, through ordinary people and timing no one could arrange. The power Mordecai receives is turned toward serving, which points ahead to Jesus, who said he came not to be served but to serve and to give his life for many (Mark 10:45). Whatever influence you have today can be spent the same way.

To think about: What influence or position do you have that could be used to seek someone else's good this week?