Esther 10

Es 10:1-3.

AHASUERUS'

GREATNESS.

MORDECAI'S

ADVANCEMENT.

1. Ahasuerus laid a tribute--This passage being an appendix to the

history, and improperly separated from the preceding chapter, it might

be that the occasion of levying this new impost arose out of the

commotions raised by Haman's conspiracy. Neither the nature nor the

amount of the tax has been recorded; only it was not a local tribute,

but one exacted from all parts of his vast empire.

2. the declaration of the greatness of Mordecai--The experience of

this pious and excellent Jew verified the statement, "he that humbleth

himself shall be exalted"

[Mt 23:12;

Lu 14:11; 18:14].

From sitting contentedly at the king's gate, he was raised to the

dignity of highest subject, the powerful ruler of the kingdom. Acting

uniformly on the great principles of truth and righteousness, his

greatness rested on a firm foundation. His faith was openly avowed, and

his influence as a professor of the true religion was of the greatest

usefulness for promoting the welfare of the Jewish people, as well as

for advancing the glory of God.

3. For Mordecai . . . was next unto King Ahasuerus . . . great among

the Jews, &c.--The elevation of this pious and patriotic Jew to the

possession of the highest official power was of very great importance

to the suffering church at that period; for it enabled him, who all

along possessed the disposition, now to direct the royal influence and

authority in promoting the interests and extending the privileges of

his exiled countrymen. Viewed in this light, the providence of God is

plainly traceable in all the steps that led to his unexpected

advancement. This providential interposition is all the more

remarkable, that, as in the analogous case of Joseph, it was displayed

in making the ordinary and natural course of things lead to the most

marvellous results. To use the pious words of an eminent prelate,

"though in the whole of this episode there was no extraordinary

manifestation of God's power, no particular cause or agent that was in

its working advanced above the ordinary pitch of nature, yet the

contrivance, and suiting these ordinary agents appointed by God, is in

itself more admirable than if the same end had been effected by means

that were truly miraculous." The sudden advancement of individuals from

obscurity and neglect to the highest stations of power and influence

is, in Eastern courts, no extraordinary nor infrequent occurrence. The

caprice, the weak partiality of the reigning sovereign, or, it may be,

his penetrating discernment in discovering latent energy and talent,

has often "raised the beggar from the dunghill, and set him among

princes"

[1Sa 2:8].

Some of the all-powerful viziers in modern Persia, and not a few of the

beys in Egypt, have been elevated to their respective dignities in this

manner. And, therefore, the advancement of "Mordecai, who was next unto

Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews," was in perfect accordance with

the rapid revolution of "the wheel of fortune" in that part of the

world. But, considering all the circumstances of Mordecai's

advancement, not only his gaining the favor of the king, but his being

"accepted of the multitude of his brethren, it was beyond all

controversy the doing of the Lord, and was truly marvellous in his

people's eyes."

accepted of the multitude of his brethren--Far from being envious

of his grandeur, they blessed God for the elevation to official power

of so good a man.

speaking peace to all his seed--While his administration was

conducted with a mild and impartial hand, he showed a peculiarly warm

and friendly feeling to all his countrymen when asked his counsel or

his aid.

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