Ver. 3.-Rogal inarati,tude, The awakening conscience of Ahaeuerus deserves our attention. ~ . l. HE IS SENSIJILE THAT HIS PRESERVER DESERVED "HONOUR AND DIGNI1'Y," The kmg had rewarded a worthless favourite with wealth and power; but as he now learned, a man wh~ had _prese~ved his_ life had been passed over unnotic~d and unre- warded. It was d1ecred1table m the eight of the nation and before hie own judgment that it should have been so. II. HE IS SURPRISED AT HIMSELF UPON LEARNING THAT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE FOR HIM. How this could have happened we do not know. It was customary for "royal bene~actors" to be lavishly rewarded with riches, jewels, offices, or favour. But Mordecai had been left at the gate of the palace, as though he had done nothing but porter's work, as though the king had not been indebted to him for his life. Ill. HE AWAKES TO SELF-REPROACH AND TO A PURPOSE OF RECOMPENSING THE NEGLECTED. It is too customary for the great to take all services as a matter of course. Well is it when such a mood gives place to a juster view and endeavour- " Sweet music's melting fall, but sweeter far The still, small voice of gratitude." Practical lessons :-1. Gratitude is a duty and a virtue. Nothing is baser than ingratitude. Those who have served us should never be forgotten by ue, and when opportunity occurs we should testify our gratitude by deeds. 2. As we owe more to God than to our fellow-men, to be ungrateful towards him is to be insensible of the highest benefits, is to incur the sharpest condemnation. " Forget not all his benefits." And show forth his praise not only by your lips, but by your lives. Vers. 6--9.-" Wn.oni the l-ing deliglitetli to lwnour." It does not seem that Ahasuerus had any intention at this time to humiliate Haman. His whole mind was set upon restitution and compensation to Mordecai, whom he had so long neglected. As he had no knowledge of his favourite's dislike to the Jew, his only motive in requiring Haman to lead Mordecai through the city was to show his gratitude to his humble friend and benefactor. The honour which Mordecai received was indeed, in its circumstances, very unusual, yet perhaps not unparalleled. Doubtless the minister thought he was preparing honour for himself when he was really uncon- sciously arranging a triumph for the man whom he hated, and whose death he was compassing. The magnificence, the royal splendour of the Jew's progress through the city afforded satisfaction to the king's heart, whilst they were as gall and worm- wood to Haman. For Mordecai was "the man whom the king delighted to honour." God, having reconciled and pardoned the penitent sinr.er through Jesus Christ, the Mediator, takes pleasure in putting upon the accepted and beloved all the holl'our he can bestow and we can receive. I. THE HONOUR Goo PUTS UPON HIS PEOPLE IS HEIGHTENED BY THE CONTRAST BE- TWEEN THEIR FORMER AND THEIR PRESENT STATE. The change between Mordecai in sackcloth and ashes, uttering a loud and bitter cry, and Mordecai upon the king's horse, and arrayed in royal robes, is as nothing compared with the contrast between the impenitent and unforgiven sinner and the justified and rejoicing believer in Christ. II. CHRISTIANS ARE HONOURED IN BEING MADE "KINGS AND PRIESTS UNTO Goo." The Jewish exile clad in regal attire may be a figure of the Christian whom God crowns and honours, whom he exalts to his favour and unites to his Son. IIL CHRISTIANS ARE ADOPTED INTO 'rHE FAMILY OF Goo-AnE MADE HIS SONS. IV. CHRISTIANS ENJOY THE ATTENDANCE AND MINISTRY OF GLORIOUS ANGELS, Mordecai was led through Shushan by "the first minister of the crown." For the children of God are provided the ministrations of the angels, who " are sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation." V. CHRIB'l'IANB SHALL BE BROUGHT, SHARING THE NATURE OF Goo, TO SHAI\E ALSO HIB ETERNAL HOME. As Mordecai came to take his place in the palace, ut the door of Ott. VI, 1--14.] '1'1tE 1300:K OF ESTHER. ll9
which he hnd ent, nnd to wield power over the empire, eo those whom the heavenly King delighteth to honour shall enter his presence, share his joy, and sit with bis Son upon the throne of dominion.