Seeking Good and Speaking Peace

Like Joseph was promoted in Egypt to second under Pharaoh, so Mordecai was promoted under King Ahasuerus in the kingdom of the Medes and Persians.  Joseph was brought out of prison, and Mordecai was brought out from under the sentence of death by the decree issued by Haman.  By God's grace Mordecai was promoted greatly, and in his illustrious role as ruler he did not drift from the fear of the LORD and the love of his people.  Esther 10:3 tells us, "For Mordecai the Jew was second to King Ahasuerus, and was great among the Jews and well received by the multitude of his brethren, seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to all his countrymen."  Though Mordecai personally possessed power and authority beyond the scope of a democratic or parliamentarian government today, his rule was administered in the fear of the LORD, humility and with the good of people in mind.  As a servant of God he was made fit for the role of public servant.

God caused Mordecai to find favour in the eyes of his king and was received by the multitude of his brethren.  His aims in governance was seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to all his countrymen.  The KJV says he sought the "wealth" of his people, and their prosperity was his chief aim.  He spoke "shalom" to all his countrymen as he sought to unite, encourage, edify and support all those under his rule.  King Ahasuerus was blessed to have the service of Mordecai, and the people were also beneficiaries of his peaceful rule.  The contrast between Haman and Mordecai was more stark than night and day, for Haman was preoccupied with personal achievement, power and honour for himself as he schemed to use his authority to kill rather than promote peace.

As I considered Mordecai's approach to governance, it struck me how fitting it is for all children of God to embrace these values whether as citizens of a nation or in our roles in the Body of Christ, the church.  Following Jesus is not doing our best to follow a set of values but starts with being born again, made new creations by faith, and choosing to humbly walk in obedience to Him.  Paul summed up the one who walks in love peaceably in Romans 12:9-18.    Paul wrote, "Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; ¹¹ not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; ¹² rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; ¹³ distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. ¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. ¹⁷ Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men."

Because our home is in heaven, our aim is to secure the true riches of the kingdom of God which are without price that will endure.  God's word and His wisdom will remain forever after this world and all the riches of it cease to be.  God's goodness, mercy, grace, peace and love will be abundantly provided for those who trust Him now and for all eternity.  God has shown great favour to us by forgiving our sins, adopting us as His children and promoting us in His kindgom beyond angels:  if Mordecai sought the wealth of his people and spoke peace to all his countrymen, isn't it fitting we do so as well--especially to the household of faith?  What a privileged position we have been given, to receive the true riches of the kingdom of God so we can share them:  to love without hypocrisy, to be kindly affectionate one to another, to give preference to one another, to continue steadfastly in prayer, to extend hospitality, to bless, rejoice and live peaceably will all men.