For such a time as this, part III

(Just a note here for everyone's enjoyment. I had more than one person who commented and left lovely feedback, but I couldn't express my thanks personally, because their settings were on no-reply. If you would like to check your own, like I did, simply google search "edit blogger profile" and then on your profile page, click to "show my email address." It won't show for the world, don't worry about that. It will show for the blogger to be able to respond to you. IMPORTANT: Go all the way down to the bottom and save! All should be well.)

So far in our story, we have a new queen for Xerxes, and we've watched as a new holiday has been declared, in Esther's honor.
Our verses have told us that Mordecai was a very dedicated uncle. He was concerned for Esther's welfare, and every day walked in a courtyard area that allowed him to know what was going on in the harem, and in the palace. The relationship between Mordecai and Esther seems to be a close one; he cared for her, and she truly valued and followed his advice.
Perhaps she always made sure she was visible from the courtyard, and he could see her, and know that she was well. Perhaps one or two of her attendants were trusted with carrying messages. They didn't have emails or texts, but they managed to stay close and communicate with each other. How important that is, in any relationship!
 Let's see what happens next:

When the virgins were assembled a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate. 20 But Esther had kept secret her family background and nationality just as Mordecai had told her to do, for she continued to follow Mordecai’s instructions as she had done when he was bringing her up.
21 During the time Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, became angry and conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. 22 But Mordecai found out about the plot and told Queen Esther, who in turn reported it to the king, giving credit to Mordecai. 23 And when the report was investigated and found to be true, the two officials were impaled on poles. All this was recorded in the book of the annals in the presence of the king. (Esther 2:19-23)

Wow!
Mordecai must have had some role in the leadership of the people. It says that he "sat" at the gate, and we've discussed before that means a role in judging disputes and giving counsel to the people.

So, while he's on the job, he overhears two hot-heads who are mad at the king. They're talking about their plan to kill Xerxes! Mordecai listens carefully to the two would-be assassins, and gets all the details. When he is sure that he has all of the particulars, he makes certain to tell Queen Esther -- on one of his visits to the courtyard.
Esther tells the king about the plot, and gives the credit to her uncle Mordecai. The trembling nobles are brought in, and all of the plan is laid bare. Once the investigation is finished, and the report is found to be true, the two officials are killed.
And keep this in mind . . . it says that this was recorded in the book of annals.
Hmmm.
It doesn't say that King Xerxes rewarded the man who saved his life. Just that it all was in the book now. Sure seems like he should have thanked Mordecai, don't you think? He should have felt that it was his duty to acknowledge that his life had been saved, and show some gratitude!

Have there been times in our lives when we have been overlooked? That we've contributed mightily but been un-thanked? When significant things happen, and we're not on the receiving end of some gratitude, how do we react?
Do we become irritated? Resentful? Spiteful?
Do we remain gracious? Calm? Showing the fruits of the Spirit?

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. (Galations 5:22-23a)

It seems that Mordecai simply continued being himself, and didn't get bent out of shape. And we'll see what happens, when we continue in Esther next week!