2024_06_17 Insight Post- Kim Feld
This week’s reading- Esther 2-10
Mordecai is an interesting character. He is Esther’s uncle and a devout Jew. When Haman makes plans to destroy the Jews out of hatred, Mordecai challenges his niece to use her position to effect change. He has an interesting viewpoint; Mordecai believes the Jews will be saved eventually, but he challenges Esther to be part of the greater story. Let’s take a look:
14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14, NIV
Thinking about Mordecai’s faith that the Jews would be delivered reminded me of this verse in Isaiah 55. Isaiah records God saying these words:
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11, NIV
What God desires to happen WILL happen, with or without our involvement. But He extends an invitation to us to participate. You and I have a choice every day, just like Esther did. She could have decided the stakes were too high to get involved. Instead, she listened to Mordecai’s encouragement and stepped out courageously.
Mordecai had a great deal of influence on Esther because of their relationship. We all influence those we are in relationships with—either positively or negatively. Pondering this has caused me to ask myself some questions: Am I aware of the influence I have, and do I use it wisely? Do I encourage others to courageously follow where God is leading? Do I model a life of courageous faith?
There’s a great deal to unpack in Esther, and I’m glad we are taking several weeks to examine the different characters. I hope you will join me this week in asking yourself some questions about influence. Who has the most influence over you? What has the most influence over you?
Kim Feld
Executive Director of Education and Outreach