E
S T H E R
CHAP. X.
This
is but a part of a chapter; the rest of it, beginning at v. 4, with six
chapters more, being found only in the Greek, is rejected as apocryphal. In
these three verses we have only some short hints, I. Concerning Ahasuerus in
the throne, what a mighty prince he was, ver. 1, 2. II. Concerning Mordecai
his favourite, what a distinguished blessing he was to his people, ver. 2, 3.
| The Glory of Mordecai. |
B. C. 495. |
|
1 And the king Ahasuerus laid a tribute upon
the land, and upon the isles of the sea. 2 And all the acts
of his power and of his might, and the declaration of the greatness of
Mordecai, whereunto the king advanced him, are they not written in the
book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and
Persia
? 3 For Mordecai the Jew was
next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the
multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking
peace to all his seed.
We are here told,
I. How great and powerful king Ahasuerus was. He had a vast dominion, both in
the continent and among the islands, from which he raised a vast revenue.
Besides the usual customs which the kings of
Persia
exacted (Ezra iv. 13), he laid an additional tribute upon his subjects, to
serve for some great occasion he had for money (v. 1): The king laid
a tribute. Happy is our island, that pays no tribute but what is laid upon
it by its representatives, and those of its own choosing, and is not squeezed
or oppressed by an arbitrary power, as some of the neighbouring nations are.
Besides this instance of the grandeur of Ahasuerus, many more might be given,
that were acts of his power and of his might. These however are not
thought fit to be recorded here in the sacred story, which is confined to the
Jews, and relates the affairs of other nations only as they fell in with their
affairs; but they are written in the Persian chronicles (v. 2),
which are long since lost and buried in oblivion, while the sacred writings
live, live in honour, and will live till time shall be no more. When the kingdoms
of men, monarchs and monarchies, are destroyed, and their memorial has
perished with them (Ps. ix. 6), the kingdom of God among men, and the
records of that kingdom, shall remain and be as the days of heaven,
Dan. ii. 44.
II. How great and good Mordecai was.
1. He was great; and it does one good to see virtue and piety thus in honour.
(1.) He was great with the king, next to him, as one he most delighted and
confided in. Long had Mordecai sat contentedly in the king's gate, and now at
length he is advanced to the head of his council-board. Men of merit may for a
time seem buried alive; but often, by some means or other, they are discovered
and preferred at last. The declaration of the greatness to which the king
advanced Mordecai was written in the chronicles of the kingdom, as very
memorable, and contributing to the great achievements of the king. He never
did such acts of power as he did when Mordecai was his right hand. (2.) He was
great among the Jews (v. 3), not only great above them, more
honourable than any of them, but great with them, dear to them, familiar with
them, and much respected by them. So far were they from envying his preferment
that they rejoiced in it, and added to it by giving him a commanding interest
among them and submitting all their affairs to his direction.
2. He was good, very good, for he did good. This goodness made him truly
great, and then his greatness gave him an opportunity of doing so much the
more good. When the king advanced him, (1.) He did not disown his people the
Jews, nor was he ashamed of his relation to them, though they were strangers
and captives, dispersed and despised. Still he wrote himself Mordecai the
Jew, and therefore no doubt adhered to the Jews' religion, by the
observances of which he distinguished himself, and yet it was no hindrance to
his preferment, nor looked upon as a blemish to him. (2.) He did not seek his
own wealth, or the raising of an estate for himself and his family, which is
the chief thing most aim at when they get into great places at court; but he
consulted the welfare of his people, and made it his business to advance that.
His power, his wealth, and all his interest in the king and queen, he improved
for the public good. (3.) He not only did good, but he did it in a humble
condescending way, was easy of access, courteous and affable in his behaviour,
and spoke peace to all that made their application to him. Doing good works is
the best and chief thing expected from those that have wealth and power; but
giving good words is also commendable, and makes the good deed the more
acceptable. (4.) He did not side with any one party of his people against
another, nor make some his favourites, while the rest were neglected and
crushed; but, whatever differences there were among them, he was a common
father to them all, recommended himself to the multitude of his brethren,
not despising the crowd, and spoke peace to all their seed, without
distinction. Thus making himself acceptable by humility and beneficence, he
was universally accepted, and gained the good word of all his brethren. Thanks
be to God, such a government as this we are blessed with, which seeks the
welfare of our people, speaking peace to all their seed. God continue it
long, very long, and grant us, under the happy protection and influence of it,
to live quiet and peaceable lives, in godliness, honesty, and charity!
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