I once met a woman who told me the story of two Bibles. She had inherited them as heirlooms, one from each of her grandmothers. Her maternal grandmother was a woman of deep faith in Jesus. She loved and lived the Word of God. Her Bible was torn and tattered. Some of the pages had broken free from their binding. She left notes behind, and questions were scribbled throughout.
The woman’s paternal grandmother did not know or follow Jesus. Upon her death, her family found a Bible pristine and dusty, sitting on the shelf. She had barely touched it. The difference, the woman told me, was remarkable. The grandmother who loved her Bible left a legacy of faith. Her life was a testament to the goodness of God and the transforming power of His Word. The grandmother whose Bible stayed closed, left a different, more painful kind of mark. Her granddaughter remembered her as angry, bitter, and difficult.
Legacy is the punctuation mark at the end of the book of Esther. The book’s namesake played a starring role in the redemption of God’s people from the evil plot of Haman, yet it is Mordecai’s impact that brings this inspired story to a close.
Though King Ahasuerus’s influence was felt “even to the farthest shores” of his kingdom (Esther 10:1), Mordecai’s fame spread past the borders of time and into the hearts of future generations—including ours. Though Mordecai lived and died more than two millennia ago, we are still strengthened by his story of courage. The pages of Esther record Mordecai’s commitment to securing his people’s future—to ensuring they survived in the face of tyranny, no matter what it cost him.
The curtains of Esther open with Mordecai as a resident in a foreign land, separated from his adopted daughter (Esther 2:7–9). They close with Mordecai as a famous hero, triumphant and highly esteemed. In plenty and in want, in power and powerless, whether he was calling the shots or he was oppressed alongside his people—Mordecai resolved to seek the best for his people. The book’s final words almost read as his epitaph: “He continued to pursue prosperity for his people and to speak for the well-being of all his descendants” (Esther 10:3).
Legacy is the punctuation mark at the end of each of our stories. The book of Esther reminds me that I want mine to end with ellipses, continuing on in the life of the next follower of Christ. May those who come after us be strengthened because we sought the well-being of “all [our] descendants.”
Plan ahead to read Joshua and Mark with us starting February 15. Shop the collection now for Digital Study Books for Lent!
Blessings and hugs Tiffany.
From one of your SRT grandmothers
I am so grateful for SRT. I stumbled upon it through an Instagram ad at the beginning of January. I had just finished a pretty dry 2020 in which I didn’t keep up with my church’s live streams, women’s Bible study, or yearly reading plan. I was committed to reconnecting with God this year, but wasn’t enthused. When I saw the ad I immediately signed up for the subscription box. And every morning before I start my Esther reading I praise the Lord for his provision, through Instagram, in bringing me to the ad. The SRT book, app, devotions, and podcast have reinvigorated my passion and excitement for reading his word. Thank you Lord Jesus for providing the push and community I so desperately needed to remember the great need I have for my Savior.
I love Erin Davis so much! She needs to guest on the podcast. Another one who would be perfect for the podcast is Donna Gaines!
Praying that my “legacy” would not be of me, but of only Christ. His word endures forever. He never changes. His love for me and for the world will outlast anything I could give. Thank you Lord for your love that never stops chasing after me.
Praise God, Taylor!! So exciting, congratulations!! :)
I had a similar experience with my own paternal grandmother. I inherited her scriptures after her death and they were just as was described here: pristine. She did mark a few verses, and though I wish she had been in them more, I am grateful for those few verses that show me what it was she valued in them.
Isn’t it awesome and wonderful how the Word of God is interconnected?
Spiritual practices seen in the book of Esther with practical application in the life of Esther and Mordecai: Prayer, Fasting, Celebration, Remembrance, Lament, Service
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Did anyone else notice the power of language and the written word throughout the book of Esther?
Please pray for me as I’m having the opportunity to be around a very sweet and lovely young lady who is of another faith. She recently married and on her thank you card she wrote some very beautiful words to me. I hope in a small way that I leave a legacy for her. And that she would come to know Jesus as her personal Lord and Savior. Please pray as we have many opportunities to talk. I don’t want it to be my words. I want it to be Jesus through me.