The third chapter really is a shorter chapter and focuses more on Mordecai than anything. I feel like this is significant because Esther's story wasn't just about Esther. Everything that she did had an immediate impact on her people and also would pave the way for Jesus Christ to be born as a Jew years later.
In this chapter, we meet Haman. King Xerxes demanded that everyone bow down to Haman at the gates but Mordecai refused. Haman was a long time enemy of the Jews and Mordecai knew that if he bowed down to him, he would be acknowledging that he was a god. Mordecai wouldn't bow and because of this, Haman sought out the King to ask him for the annihilation of all Jews. The King didn't realize that Esther was also a Jew, so he was sentencing her to death without even knowing it. King Xerxes gave him his signet ring. I wasn't aware of the significance of this until I read my study bible tonight. This ring was a ring that every king had. They each had certain symbols on them that were just like a personal seal for each King. When Xerxes gave him his ring, he was basically giving him the right to decree whatever he wanted to. He carried the king's personal signature. Haman decreed that all Jews would be killed on a certain month. He cast lots to decide when this would happen and it was decided that a year would pass before he issued the order for the attack. This gave God plenty of time to get Esther ready for what he would ask of her.
I really enjoyed this chapter because of what Mordecai did. I have always wondered what I would do if someone put a gun to my head and asked me if I believed in Jesus Christ. I have always said I would say yes I do. Then I thought some more....what if someone put a gun to Lane's(my son) head and told me if I said yes that they would shoot him. I hope that I would say yes, but I can't positively say that because I've never been in that situation before. Mordecai did just what he was supposed to do, even though his actions could have easily killed Esther. If Haman had been smart, he could have had Esther killed to begin with. I honestly think that he didn't realize how much trouble she would create for him at a later date.
Mordecai was a very wise man. He stood up for what he believed and he gave God everything he had. I am sure he was afraid. I am sure he had about a thousand thoughts running through his head, but he still stayed true to God. I know we all aren't perfect. I make mistakes daily, but We can all learn so much from Mordecai. He lived his life to bring glory to God and nobody else.
In our time today we don't necessarily have to put other people in front of God, but we can put things in front of God. I have been guilty of putting my phone, social media, friends and family in front of God. I bowed down to all of these things at one or more time(s) in my life. This is very sad to me because I hate when I mess up, but my God is a forgiving and a loving God. He gives me new chances every day. I am glad that he doesn't place a limit on forgiveness.
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