_After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was appeased, he remembered Vashti._ ACTING UNDER THE IMPULSE OF RAGE The king had given full sway to his passion and wounded pride, and treated his wife with great severity. In his moments of cool reflection he probably repented of the harshne... [ Continue Reading ]
_And let the king appoint officers _ THE WEAK AND LOWLY Poor, helpless, feeble, may be the earthward aspect of true religion. Beggars shall be taken from the dunghill, to set them among princes. God will be indebted to no outward help or influence. We see how God is pleased to overrule the very si... [ Continue Reading ]
_Whose name was Mordecai._ MORDECAI Providence opens avenues through which merit may attain elevation. I. Mordecai was kind to his orphan cousin. He brought her up, adopting her as his own daughter. He was intensely solicitous for her welfare. He was her counsellor, guardian, friend. He seems to... [ Continue Reading ]
_So that he set the royal crown upon her head._ THE ELEVATION OF WOMAN Gloss it as you may, this is not pleasant reading, and yet not unprofitable, having much to say to us, and especially to women, of what we owe to Christianity for the elevation of woman. Telling of a despot and sensualist, and h... [ Continue Reading ]
_For Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him._ REPAYING PARENTAL KINDNESS Then I would say that there is a lesson here for the young. How can they repay in any measure--for fully they can never repay--the tenderness of their godly parents to them in their y... [ Continue Reading ]
_Two of the king’s chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh. .. sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus._ TRAITORS Besides flatterers, despots are apt to have traitors and assassins about them, such as Bigthan and Teresh. Mordecai detected their villainy, and no doubt ran considerable risk in exposing it... [ Continue Reading ]