Victory, Vindication, and the Rise of Mordecai: A Divine Turnaround

Be God's Glory
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Welcome to Day 131 of The Glory Team Bible Reading plan and we are in the book of Esther. In the final chapters of the Book of Esther, the story reaches its climax and resolution as God’s divine providence turns the tables in favor of the Jews. Though the king's decree to destroy the Jews could not be revoked, Esther and Mordecai were empowered to issue a new decree allowing the Jews to defend themselves. As the appointed day arrived, the Jews rose in strength and unity, defeating their enemies across the provinces. The celebration of this deliverance gave birth to the Feast of Purim, a joyful and enduring Jewish holiday commemorating God's faithfulness. Mordecai, once a minor official, was exalted to a place of great authority, and the nation flourished under his leadership. These final chapters illustrate God’s sovereign hand working behind the scenes, turning despair into triumph for His people.

In Esther 8, on the day set for their destruction, the Jews overcome their enemies with the support of local officials and the favor of God. Across the empire, they defend themselves and defeat thousands of their enemies, including Haman’s ten sons. Esther asks the king for an extension of the decree in Susa, allowing the Jews another day to eliminate those who still opposed them. The victory is followed by a great celebration, and Mordecai instructs the Jews to commemorate the event annually with a feast. This celebration becomes known as Purim, named after the lots (pur) Haman cast to determine the date of destruction. Purim is established as a permanent holiday to remember how sorrow turned into joy and mourning into celebration.

Esther 9: On the day set for their destruction, the Jews overcome their enemies with the support of local officials and the favor of God. Across the empire, they defend themselves and defeat thousands of their enemies, including Haman’s ten sons. Esther asks the king for an extension of the decree in Susa, allowing the Jews another day to eliminate those who still opposed them. The victory is followed by a great celebration, and Mordecai instructs the Jews to commemorate the event annually with a feast. This celebration becomes known as Purim, named after the lots (pur) Haman cast to determine the date of destruction. Purim is established as a permanent holiday to remember how sorrow turned into joy and mourning into celebration.

Esther 10 The final chapter of Esther, though brief, highlights Mordecai’s lasting legacy and the peace that followed the Jews’ deliverance. King Xerxes imposes tribute across the empire, signaling stability in his reign. Mordecai is recognized as second in command, honored for his faithfulness, wisdom, and leadership. He uses his influence to promote the welfare of the Jewish people and speak up on their behalf. His rise from a lowly gatekeeper to a powerful leader symbolizes God’s ability to elevate the humble and protect His people through those He positions for purpose. Esther 10 concludes the story by showing that the deliverance of the Jews led not only to survival but to prosperity and peace under Mordecai's leadership.

Origin & Meaning of the Name:

The name Esther is of Persian origin, likely derived from the word “star” (Persian: “Setareh” or Babylonian: “Ishtar”, a goddess associated with love and war). Esther’s Hebrew name was Hadassah, which means “myrtle tree”, a symbol of peace and righteousness. Her Persian name, Esther, reflects her assimilation into the Persian royal court while concealing her Jewish identity—an important element in the story’s unfolding.

Purpose of the Book:

The Book of Esther was written to celebrate God’s providential protection of His people, even in exile, and to explain the origin of the Jewish festival of Purim, which commemorates their deliverance from annihilation. Although God's name is never explicitly mentioned, His unseen hand is evident throughout the narrative—revealing His sovereignty in every twist of fate, hidden identity, and bold act of courage. The book emphasizes themes of divine timing, courage, identity, and faithful obedience in the face of danger.

Authorship & Sources Supporting the Author:

The author of Esther is anonymous, but Jewish tradition and several scholars attribute it to Mordecai, one of the key figures in the story. The reasons supporting this view include:

Firsthand knowledge of Persian customs and court details, including specific names and laws (Esther 1:1–8, 10:1–3).
The book concludes with the mention of Mordecai’s acts being written down in the chronicles of the Medes and Persians (Esther 10:2), which could indicate the author’s involvement in recording history.
The detailed knowledge of Mordecai’s genealogy (Esther 2:5–6) and his emotions suggest an insider’s perspective.

Extra-biblical references:

The Talmud (Babylonian Talmud, Baba Batra 15a) credits Mordecai (possibly with the help of the Men of the Great Assembly) as the author of Esther.
Early Jewish commentators and Josephus, the 1st-century Jewish historian, affirm the historical accuracy of the events in Esther (see Antiquities of the Jews, Book 11, Chapters 6–7).

Although the book is not quoted in the New Testament, it was accepted into the Jewish canon and celebrated through the annual Feast of Purim, which is still observed today.

Key People:

Esther (Hadassah): A young Jewish woman who becomes Queen of Persia and courageously risks her life to save her people.
Mordecai: Esther’s cousin and guardian; a faithful Jew who uncovers a royal assassination plot and stands against Haman.
King Xerxes (Ahasuerus): The Persian king who deposes Queen Vashti and later elevates Esther, unaware of her Jewish heritage.
Haman the Agagite: The king’s advisor who becomes the antagonist, seeking to destroy all Jews out of hatred for Mordecai.
Queen Vashti: The former queen who defies the king’s order, creating the vacancy that Esther eventually fills.

Conclusion

The Book of Esther is a powerful story of divine intervention without direct mention of God, showing how He works behind the scenes through ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary deliverance. It reminds readers of the importance of courage, identity, and standing for truth even when it’s costly. The narrative celebrates the resilience of the Jewish people and introduces Purim as a joyful reminder of God’s faithfulness. Esther's bold stand reminds us that we are often placed in certain positions and moments “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14)—to fulfill divine purpose, even when the risks are great and God seems silent.

What is God's Name in these Chapters?

In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.

Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.

"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet.

Looking for the Names of God from the previous chapters? Due to the overwhelming amount of names we had to dedicate a special place for them for the sake of space. Click the link to see them:

REVIEW GOD'S NAMES FROM PREVIOUS CHAPTERS

Ester 8: Although the Book of Esther never explicitly mentions the name of God, His presence is powerfully evident in the unfolding events of chapter 8. God reveals His character as sovereign, merciful, and faithful, working behind the scenes to bring justice and hope to His people. His divine providence orchestrates a reversal of fate—turning mourning into joy and powerlessness into victory. God shows that He is not absent even when He is not mentioned by name; His plans are always moving forward for the good of those who trust Him.

In Esther 8, God teaches us about the power of bold faith and intercession. Through Esther’s courage and Mordecai’s wisdom, we learn that God raises up His people to be agents of change in moments of crisis. When circumstances seem irreversible, God can still provide a way forward. This chapter reminds us that even in silence, God is actively at work, and He invites us to participate in His redemptive plans.

In Esther 9, God’s character is revealed through justice, protection, and the fulfillment of His promises. Though His name is not written, His hand is unmistakably present in delivering the Jews from their enemies. God upholds righteousness and defends the innocent, honoring those who remain faithful to Him. His justice is thorough, and His timing is perfect, bringing triumph on the very day intended for destruction.

Esther 9 teaches that God turns what was meant for evil into good. The Jews' ability to defend themselves and their subsequent victory demonstrates that God equips His people for spiritual battles. The institution of Purim becomes a lasting testimony that God turns sorrow into celebration. Even when we are surrounded by opposition, God gives us strength to stand firm and rejoice in His deliverance.

Esther 10, though brief, portrays God’s faithfulness to exalt the humble and establish righteous leadership. Mordecai’s promotion is not just a political rise but a reflection of God's justice and favor. God is the One who raises people into positions of influence to bless others. His character is one of enduring care for His people and ongoing involvement in their welfare.

This final chapter shows that God honors those who honor Him. Mordecai's rise to second in command serves as a reminder that leadership rooted in faithfulness and integrity pleases God. Even small acts of obedience can lead to great outcomes when God is involved. The lesson here is to stay faithful and humble—God sees, remembers, and rewards.

Christ in Every Book of the Bible

Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.

Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.

The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!

Questions:

Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.

Questions About God's Character: What do these chapters reveal about God’s faithfulness to His word and promises?

How is God’s providence revealed even though His name is never mentioned in Esther 8–10?
What does God's response to the Jews' situation tell us about His justice and mercy?
How does the elevation of Mordecai reflect God’s nature in honoring the faithful and humble?
What does this passage teach us about God’s ability to turn hopeless situations around?
In what ways does God demonstrate His protection and care for His people throughout these chapters?
How does the establishment of Purim reflect God's desire for His people to remember His acts of deliverance?
What qualities of God can we trust in when we don’t see immediate evidence of His intervention?

Questions About Themes:

How does the theme of reversal play a central role in the outcome of the story?
What does Esther 8–10 teach us about the power of influence and godly leadership?
Why is remembrance through Purim significant, and what does it say about the importance of celebrating God’s faithfulness?
How do justice and vindication shape the narrative and outcomes in these chapters?
What role does unity among God’s people play in achieving victory over their enemies?
How is courageous advocacy by Esther and Mordecai highlighted as a theme throughout these events?
What does the story say about God using ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things?

Reflective Application Questions:

When have you seen God work behind the scenes in your life, even when it wasn’t obvious?
Are there areas in your life where you need to trust God's timing and hidden hand of providence?
How can you use your position or influence, like Esther and Mordecai, to stand up for righteousness?
What past victories or deliverances has God given you that you need to remember and celebrate?
How do you respond when you face injustice or feel powerless—do you seek God’s wisdom and courage?
What does Mordecai’s rise to leadership teach you about staying faithful in small responsibilities?
How can you help others experience God’s protection, justice, or mercy in your community today?

These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.

Reference Guides:

Life Application Study Guide

A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler

The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans