The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 55

like fidelity to her foster-father Mordecai, both before and after her election to the throne. She admired, loved, and trusted him. and submitted as a child to his guidance. Young people dislike restraint, and long for the freedom of independence before they are ready to bear the responsibility of it. They often fret under the wise and nffectionate safeguards which their parents impose. Yet in after life most men and women are willing to confess that they were very ignorant in youth, and that it would have been well for them if they had understood better, and followed more fully, the parental admonitions which seemed so irksome. V. INTEGRITY. Esther bore well the sudden flush of prosperity which came upon her. This is first and best seen in her unchanging regard for the man who had been the guardian of her orphaned childhood and youth. Her elevation to Vashti's place made no change in her reverent affection for Mordecai. We read that she " did the commandments of Mordecai like as when she was brought up with him" (ver. 20). A very beautiful and instructive example I Changes in condition often work sad changes in heart and conduct. Many grow false to themselves and their past, and to those who formed the chief good of their past, when some tide of prosperity raises them into a higher social circle, and creates new ties which can have no sympathy or connection with the old ones. Nothing is more despicable than that pride of worldly advancement which forgets or looks coldly on early friends whose humble fidelities of affection may have laid the foundation of future success. The character and conduct of the Jewish maiden teach us-1. A higher beauty than the physical. In all precious qualities beauty of mind and heart far transcends the most brilliant beauty of face or form. The " beauties of holiness" are the best adornments of man or woman. " Strength and beauty are in his sanctuary " (Ps. :xcvi. 6). "Zion is the perfection of beauty" (Ps. 1. 2). The prayer of the Church is, " Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us " (Ps. xc. 17). 2. A better possession than worldly rank. The treasure of a good understanding in the fear of the Lord is of more value than any grandeur of outward circumstance. A soul that is humble, patient, trustful, loving, holy, Christlike, has riches that all the gold of Ophir or the diamonds of Golconda could not buy, and is elevated higher than if it were to occupy the greatest earthly throne (Eccles. vii. 12; Matt. vi. 19-21; John vi. 27). 3. The importance of early training. Youth is the seed-time. Seeds are then sown which, in the after life, will surely bring forth fruit either good or evil. Well- meaning parents may be sometimes unwise, and well-trained children may sometimes go astray ; but the rule is-" Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." Esther may be taken as an illustration of the powerlessness of worldly influences to change the feelings of the heart, or the judg- ments of the mind, or the government of the life, in the case of one who in early youth has been trained, under loving care, in the principles and practices of a holy religious life. 4. The truth of the saying, "Man proposes, but God disposes." In all the incidents connected with Esther's election to be queen we see the guidance of an invisible hand. The narrative is brief, simple, and artless ; but on that very account it impresses us all the more with the conviction of a Divine purpose and leading.-D. Vere. 5-'}J).-Morkai. Mordecai possessed a lofty nature, and was destined to do great things ; but our notice of him here is restricted to his relation to Esther up to the time when she was made queen. He presents to our view- I. A FINE NATURAL DISPOSITION. When his cousin Esther lost her parents he "took her for his own daughter." His heart and home were at once opened to the little orphaned girl. The natures of men vary greatly. Some are born tender, some hard ; but all may do much to cultivate the softer affections of sympathy and Jove. The ties of kindred and friendship afford many opportunities for their exercise. II. A RECOGNITION OF THE DIVINE LAW. Mordecai's adoption of Esther was in accordance with the spirit of the Mosaic legislation. As a good Jew, he could scarcely have done otherwise. This, however, does not detract from the pure benevolence of his conduct. The good actions of religious people are often regarded as mechanical and coI1Btrainad, as springing rather from a slavish fear of authority CH. II. 1-18.] THE BOOK OF ESTHER. 53