Est 8:15 | KingComments | STEP | These verses elaborate on the contrast between Haman and Mordecai and the consequences of the change of power for the Jews. The glory of Mordecai can be seen in his clothing. The man who was shortly before dressed in a sack clothing ( ) now walks in royal clothes. The ashes on his head have been replaced by “with a large crown of gold”. In this way he leaves the king to appear in public. This had not yet happened. Just as Mordecai comes out of the presence of the king, so the Lord Jesus will appear when He returns from heaven, from the presence of God where He is already clothed with glory by God. The blue reminds us of the glory of heaven from which the Lord Jesus descends. The white speaks of His spotless cleanliness. The fine linen shows His perfect righteousness that has been visible on earth in all His deeds and will be visible when He returns to earth to reign. The (red) purple is a reminder of the blood, of His suffering, and points to the foundation of His reign. That foundation is the atonement which He has made and which is the basis for God to give the reign over creation into the hands of His Son. He has earned it; He is worthy of that place and that honor! The fabric from which the clothes are made is a reminder of the exuberant and eye-catching decoration of the king’s feast in the beginning of this book ( ). Remarkably, we first have a description of Mordecai’s clothing, then of his crown and then an additional description of his clothing. The mention of his crown is therefore between two descriptions of his clothing. Thus, we see that his crown is as it were surrounded by the breathtaking glory of the feast. Mordecai, as crowned viceroy, is in the center of glory. The combination of these different colors of the garments can also be seen in the fabrics of the tabernacle and the garment of the high priest ( ). Because of this we can also see Mordecai as someone who acts as a mediator with the king for the benefit of the people. He looks after the affairs of his people with the highest power. This is very reminiscent of the Lord Jesus as the High Priest who makes intercession for us with God ( ). The city of Susa is confused by the command of Haman ( ), but the command and the exaltation of Mordecai cause cheer and joy in the city. Mordecai has been exalted and “with joy a city jumps up over the prosperity of the righteous” ( ). Haman has been hanged on the gallows ( ) “and when the wicked perish, there is cheer” ( ). In the reversal of circumstances, the Jews also share in the whole realm of Ahasuerus. This is all due to the exaltation of Mordecai. His exaltation is the exaltation of his people. He, the highest of his people, identifies the people with himself. At that time the Jews mourned, fasted, wept and wailed ( ). These four expressions of misery are replaced by four expressions of happiness: “Light and gladness and joy and honor” ( ). Light comes first. Darkness has given way to the light of the day brought into its power by the rising sun. Here we can see Mordecai as a picture of the Lord Jesus Who is “the Sun of righteousness” ( ). That “it will come about that at evening time there will be light” ( ), is through Him. Joy and honor are with the Jews wherever the word of the king and his law have arrived ( ). This causes fasting to give way to “a feast and a holiday” (cf. ). For the saved there is eternal joy. Actual salvation has yet to come, but Mordecai in his glory is the guarantee that salvation will come. What the king has written also gives that guarantee. For us it means that we believe in the written Word in which we read that Christ has “obtained eternal redemption” ( ). If we rest in what God has said, we will have “peace with God” ( ) and “the peace of God”, which is the peace that characterizes God, “will guard” our “hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” ( ). If the Jews had not been threatened and distressed, they would have had no reason for that extraordinary joy. God’s children sometimes have to sow tears so that they will reap with all the more joy ( ). The sudden and surprising change of affairs, was so favorable to them, it contributed much to their joy. It seemed as if they were dreaming, but when they realize what happened, they say: “Then our mouth was filled with laughter” ( ). Many people who see this become Jews. Haman wanted to annihilate the people; the opposite happens. Instead of annihilation, there is an increase. Many from the nations become Jews (cf. ). This happens for the dread of the Jews that has fallen on them (cf. ; ; ). This dread is the work of the God hidden in this book Who is working behind the scenes for the benefit of His people.

‏ Esther 8:15

The Glory of Mordecai

These verses elaborate on the contrast between Haman and Mordecai and the consequences of the change of power for the Jews. The glory of Mordecai can be seen in his clothing. The man who was shortly before dressed in a sack clothing (Est 4:1) now walks in royal clothes. The ashes on his head have been replaced by “with a large crown of gold”. In this way he leaves the king to appear in public. This had not yet happened. Just as Mordecai comes out of the presence of the king, so the Lord Jesus will appear when He returns from heaven, from the presence of God where He is already clothed with glory by God.

The blue reminds us of the glory of heaven from which the Lord Jesus descends. The white speaks of His spotless cleanliness. The fine linen shows His perfect righteousness that has been visible on earth in all His deeds and will be visible when He returns to earth to reign. The (red) purple is a reminder of the blood, of His suffering, and points to the foundation of His reign. That foundation is the atonement which He has made and which is the basis for God to give the reign over creation into the hands of His Son. He has earned it; He is worthy of that place and that honor!

The fabric from which the clothes are made is a reminder of the exuberant and eye-catching decoration of the king’s feast in the beginning of this book (Est 1:6). Remarkably, we first have a description of Mordecai’s clothing, then of his crown and then an additional description of his clothing. The mention of his crown is therefore between two descriptions of his clothing. Thus, we see that his crown is as it were surrounded by the breathtaking glory of the feast. Mordecai, as crowned viceroy, is in the center of glory.

The combination of these different colors of the garments can also be seen in the fabrics of the tabernacle and the garment of the high priest (Exo 26:1-6 ; Exo 28:6). Because of this we can also see Mordecai as someone who acts as a mediator with the king for the benefit of the people. He looks after the affairs of his people with the highest power. This is very reminiscent of the Lord Jesus as the High Priest who makes intercession for us with God (Heb 4:14-16 ; Heb 7:25).

The city of Susa is confused by the command of Haman (Est 3:15), but the command and the exaltation of Mordecai cause cheer and joy in the city. Mordecai has been exalted and “with joy a city jumps up over the prosperity of the righteous” (Pro 11:10a). Haman has been hanged on the gallows (Est 7:10) “and when the wicked perish, there is cheer” (Pro 11:10b).

In the reversal of circumstances, the Jews also share in the whole realm of Ahasuerus. This is all due to the exaltation of Mordecai. His exaltation is the exaltation of his people. He, the highest of his people, identifies the people with himself. At that time the Jews mourned, fasted, wept and wailed (Est 4:3). These four expressions of misery are replaced by four expressions of happiness: “Light and gladness and joy and honor” (Est 8:16).

Light comes first. Darkness has given way to the light of the day brought into its power by the rising sun. Here we can see Mordecai as a picture of the Lord Jesus Who is “the Sun of righteousness” (Mal 4:2). That “it will come about that at evening time there will be light” (Zec 14:7), is through Him.

Joy and honor are with the Jews wherever the word of the king and his law have arrived (Est 8:17). This causes fasting to give way to “a feast and a holiday” (cf. Isa 61:3a). For the saved there is eternal joy. Actual salvation has yet to come, but Mordecai in his glory is the guarantee that salvation will come. What the king has written also gives that guarantee. For us it means that we believe in the written Word in which we read that Christ has “obtained eternal redemption” (Heb 9:12). If we rest in what God has said, we will have “peace with God” (Rom 5:1) and “the peace of God”, which is the peace that characterizes God, “will guard” our “hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:7).

If the Jews had not been threatened and distressed, they would have had no reason for that extraordinary joy. God’s children sometimes have to sow tears so that they will reap with all the more joy (Psa 126:5). The sudden and surprising change of affairs, was so favorable to them, it contributed much to their joy. It seemed as if they were dreaming, but when they realize what happened, they say: “Then our mouth was filled with laughter” (Psa 126:1a-2).

Many people who see this become Jews. Haman wanted to annihilate the people; the opposite happens. Instead of annihilation, there is an increase. Many from the nations become Jews (cf. Zec 8:23). This happens for the dread of the Jews that has fallen on them (cf. Deu 28:10; Jos 2:9; Psa 105:38). This dread is the work of the God hidden in this book Who is working behind the scenes for the benefit of His people.