Thursday, April 23, 2020

WORK FOR THE GOOD OF THE PEOPLE


PROCLAMATION
Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Xerxes, pre-eminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and he spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews.”  Esther 10:3 (NIV)

EXPLANATION
After King Xerxes had Haman killed and impaled upon a pole, he gave Queen Esther the estate of Haman and she made Mordecai the overseer of the estate. (Esther 8:1-2)  Then Esther again pleaded with the king and he rescinded the decrees which Haman had written.  He had Mordecai to write new laws overruling the old decrees and sent them to all 127 provinces. (Esther 8:3-14)  There was happiness, gladness, and celebration among the Jews in every city and province throughout the land. (Esther 8:15-17)  Then the Jews assembled and attacked and killed all of their enemies who had planned to destroy them. (Esther 9:1-12)  Afterwards, Queen Esther asked the king to also impale Haman’s ten sons on poles and he granted her request. (Esther 9:13-15)  When all of their enemies had been killed, the two-day feasting celebration of Purim was established. (Esther 9:16-32)  Mordecai became more powerful and was promoted to second in rank only to the king and was held in high esteem by the people. (Esther 10:1-3)

APPLICATION
Some of the time success, and positions of authority and influence, can come from working for the good of the people instead of for self-promotion.  One can become highly esteemed by consistently doing things for the greater good and rise to positions of influence, power, and authority.  However, “with great power comes great responsibility.” (Original author unknown but similar statements were made by Winston Churchill, Teddy Roosevelt, and Franklin D. Roosevelt, and more recently quoted by Peter Parker/Spider-Man)  Once on the top one needs to do the right thing for the benefit of the people and not just for one’s self or cronies  So, we ought to pray for guidance and direction as we make decisions and take actions which could affect others.  If we obtain any measure of success, we should remember that Jesus, The Christ, said, “For unto whomever much is given, of him shall be much required.” (Luke 12:48)  

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