◄ Esther 9:4 ►
For Mordecai exercised great power in the palace, and his fame spread throughout the provinces as he became more and more powerful.
Study Bible
For Mordecai
The name "Mordecai" is of Hebrew origin, possibly derived from the Babylonian god Marduk, indicating the Jewish people's integration into the Persian Empire. Mordecai's rise to prominence is a testament to God's providence and favor upon His people, even in foreign lands. His account is a reminder of how God can elevate His faithful servants to positions of influence for His purposes.

was prominent in the palace
The phrase "was prominent" suggests a position of high status and influence. In the Hebrew context, this prominence is not merely about power but also about the respect and authority Mordecai commanded. His position in the palace signifies God's hand in placing His people in strategic locations to fulfill His divine plans, echoing Joseph's rise in Egypt.

and his fame spread throughout the provinces
The spreading of Mordecai's fame throughout the provinces indicates the vastness of the Persian Empire, which extended from India to Ethiopia. This fame is not just about personal glory but serves as a testament to God's faithfulness in elevating His people. It reflects the biblical principle that when God blesses His servants, their influence can extend far beyond their immediate surroundings.

he became more and more powerful
The increasing power of Mordecai is a direct result of God's blessing and the fulfillment of His promises to protect and prosper His people. In the Hebrew context, power is often associated with the ability to effect change and bring about justice. Mordecai's growing power is a symbol of God's justice being enacted through His chosen instruments, ensuring the survival and prosperity of the Jewish people in a foreign land.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Mordecai
A Jew living in Susa, the capital of the Persian Empire, who rose to prominence in the king's palace. He is the cousin and adoptive father of Esther, the queen.

2. King's Palace
The royal residence in Susa where Mordecai served and gained favor, ultimately leading to his rise in power.

3. Provinces
Refers to the 127 provinces of the Persian Empire, over which King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I) reigned. Mordecai's influence extended throughout these regions.

4. Susa
The capital city of the Persian Empire, where the events of the Book of Esther primarily take place.

5. The Rise of Mordecai
This event marks the turning point where Mordecai's influence and authority grow significantly, impacting the Jewish people positively.
Teaching Points
Divine Providence
Mordecai's rise to power illustrates God's sovereign hand in orchestrating events for the protection and benefit of His people.

Faithfulness in Service
Mordecai's consistent integrity and loyalty in his service to the king serve as a model for believers to be faithful in their vocations.

Influence and Responsibility
With increased influence comes greater responsibility. Mordecai used his position to advocate for the welfare of the Jewish people, reminding us to use our influence for God's purposes.

God's Timing
Mordecai's account encourages patience and trust in God's timing, as his rise to prominence came after a period of trial and uncertainty.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Mordecai's rise to power demonstrate God's providence in the lives of His people, and how can we see this in our own lives today?

2. In what ways does Mordecai's account parallel the experiences of other biblical figures like Joseph and Daniel, and what lessons can we learn from these parallels?

3. How can we apply the principle of faithfulness in service, as seen in Mordecai's life, to our own work and responsibilities?

4. What responsibilities come with increased influence, and how can we ensure that we use our positions for God's glory and the good of others?

5. Reflect on a time when you had to wait for God's timing in your life. How does Mordecai's account encourage you to trust in God's perfect timing?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 41
Joseph's rise to power in Egypt parallels Mordecai's ascent in Persia, showcasing God's providence in elevating His people to positions of influence.

Daniel 6
Daniel's favor and rise in the Babylonian court mirror Mordecai's experience, emphasizing faithfulness and divine promotion.

Proverbs 3:3-4
The principle of finding favor and good repute in the sight of God and man is exemplified in Mordecai's life.
Sermons
A Reign of TerrorF. Hastings Esther 9:2-5
People
Abihail, Adalia, Ahasuerus, Aridai, Aridatha, Arisai, Aspatha, Dalphon, Esther, Haman, Hammedatha, Mordecai, Parmashta, Parshandatha, Poratha, Vajezatha
Places
Susa
Topics
Becoming, Continually, Fame, Forth, Greater, Grew, Indeed, Kingdom, King's, Mordecai, Mor'decai, Palace, Powerful, Prominent, Provinces, Reputation, Spread, Throughout, Waxed
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Esther 9:4

     5857   fame

Library
Of the Practice of Piety in Holy Feasting.
Holy feasting is a solemn thanksgiving, appointed by authority, to be rendered to God on some special day, for some extraordinary blessings or deliverances received. Such among the Jews was the feast of the Passover (Exod. xii. 15), to remember to praise God for their deliverance out of Egypt's bondage; or the feast of Purim (Esth. ix. 19, 21), to give thanks for their deliverance from Haman's conspiracy. Such amongst us is the fifth of November, to praise God for the deliverance of the king and …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Tiberias.
All the Jews declare, almost with one consent, that this was a fortified city from ancient times, even from the days of Joshua, and was the same with Rakkath, of which mention is made, Joshua 19:35. "Rakkath is Tiberias," say the Jerusalem Gemarists. And those of Babylon say the same, and that more largely: "It is clear to us that Rakkath is Tiberias." And when, after a few lines, this of Rabbi Jochanan was objected, "When I was a boy, I said a certain thing, concerning which I asked the elders, …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Some Miscellaneous Matters Respecting the Face of the Land.
I. Let us begin with that canon concerning reading the Book of Esther in the feast of Purim. "Towns that were begirt with walls from the days of Joshua read it on the fifteenth day" of the month Adar: "Villages and great cities read it the fourteenth day": "Unless that the villages anticipate it, to the day of the congregation." You see a threefold distinction of cities and towns: 1. Fortifications, or towns girt with walls from the days of Joshua. But whence shall we know them? They are those which …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Place of Jesus in the History of the World.
The great event of the History of the world is the revolution by which the noblest portions of humanity have passed from the ancient religions, comprised under the vague name of Paganism, to a religion founded on the Divine Unity, the Trinity, and the Incarnation of the Son of God. It has taken nearly a thousand years to accomplish this conversion. The new religion had itself taken at least three hundred years in its formation. But the origin of the revolution in question with which we have to do …
Ernest Renan—The Life of Jesus

Esther
The spirit of the book of Esther is anything but attractive. It is never quoted or referred to by Jesus or His apostles, and it is a satisfaction to think that in very early times, and even among Jewish scholars, its right to a place in the canon was hotly contested. Its aggressive fanaticism and fierce hatred of all that lay outside of Judaism were felt by the finer spirits to be false to the more generous instincts that lay at the heart of the Hebrew religion; but by virtue of its very intensity …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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