Though in the grip of
certain death, deliverance comes to the covenant people. Figuratively,
because of Esther’s actions, the Creator God’s people were resurrected from the
dead. Fitting quite well with the controlling narrative and presentation
of the covenant God’s plan of redemption, as it presents itself throughout
Scripture, this figurative resurrection shares echoes with the story of
Abraham’s call to sacrifice Isaac.
In that story,
Abraham considered Isaac to be dead, but trusted that his God would raise him
because of the promises that had been made to Abraham. Isaac,
figuratively, went through death, and (again) figuratively, was raised from the
dead. Returning then to Esther one reads that “Contrary to expectations,
the Jews gained power over their enemies” (9:1b). Yes, the Creaor God’s
covenant people triumphed, just as they would one day be made to triumph over
the final enemy, that being death, through and because of the Resurrection of
Jesus and their believing union with Him, with belief in the Lordship and
Kingship of Jesus being the mark of the Creator God’s new covenant people and
the way in which they are made to share in His Resurrection, prefiguring and
pointing to their own (and that of the entire creation).
Tying in the title of
this study, one of those people of the covenant, that being Mordecai, is not
only resurrected, but he is exalted, ultimately coming to represent in himself
the complete vindication of the people of the covenant God. As the story
goes, Mordecai is exalted to a royal position, adorned “in purple and white and
royal attire, with a large golden crown and a purple linen mantle” (8:15b),
symbolizing that royalty and its association vindication. Yes, one man
becomes the representative of the Creator God’s chosen people. With his (and his people’s) passing through
persecution and suffering and a figurative death, he comes out on the other
side, effectively crowned as a king, as “Mordecai the Jew was second only to
King Ahasuerus” (10:3a). This was what would eventually come to be be
experienced by Jesus the Christ as well, who would be exalted as King by His
Resurrection, though in submission (second only as He would insist) to the
Father.
Indeed, all that will
be said here of Mordecai would, could, and certainly should invoke thoughts of the
Lord Jesus, who was persecuted, went into death, experienced a Resurrection,
and was shown forth as King. It is said of Mordecai that “He was the
highest-ranking Jew” (10:3a), which is another way in which one could be
justified in thinking of Jesus. It is said of Mordecai that “He was
admired by his numerous relatives” (10:3b), which would also eventually become
true of Jesus following His Resurrection. Of Mordecai, it is said that “He
worked enthusiastically for the good of his people and was an advocate for the
welfare of all his descendants” (10:3c).
This too can most definitely be said of Jesus, the one mediator between
God and man.
Prior to such things
being said of Mordecai, the reader (and the hopeful Jew undergoing persecution
under the heel of an oppressor) learns that “Mordecai was of high rank in the
king’s palace, and word about him was spreading throughout all the
provinces. His influence continued to become greater and greater”
(9:4). As it was for the figuratively resurrected Mordecai, so it was for
the physically resurrected Jesus. Jesus, as it comes to be said of Him,
is given the name above all names and set above all rulers and powers.
The Gospel of His Kingdom (He is Lord) spread throughout all lands and His
influence grew, with that influence, as planned, spreading and growing to this
day.
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