The purpose of exercising dominion is to extend dominance in political affairs. Dominion is for the purpose of extending the kingdom of God on earth. Through the exercise of authority, Esther and Mordecai took over the reins of governance in Shushan. When the Jews were threatened by annihilation, they became united and resisted Haman’s attempt to exterminate them. Their fight for justice changed the destiny of the Jews from refugees to rulers, from victims to overcomers, from the oppressed to conquerors, from marginalized to national influencers and from being in the periphery of society to being at the centre of leadership.

How did Mordecai and Esther change the political and social trajectory of the Jews in Shushan? First, Mordecai had a vision, which he sold to Esther. Mordecai’s vision was that the Jews would not bow to any God, but maintained their identity. Through Mordecai’s persistence, Esther came to understand and share in the vision that the Jews should aim for the leadership of the nation. When Vasti was removed from being the Queen, Mordecai encouraged Esther to participate in a beauty contest where she eventually emerged as the Queen who replaced Vasti.

Mordecai understood the politics of Shushan; he mobilised the Jews to pray and fast when Haman hatched a conspiracy against the Jews. He encouraged Esther to go before the king and inform him about the plot to eliminate the Jews. Mordecai provoked Esther with these words, “for if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14 NKJV).

His words prompted Esther’s resolve to pray, fast and go before the King, contrary to what the law says. “Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; … My maids and I will fast likewise. And so, I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!” (Esther 4:16 NKJV).

Once Esther was awakened to the consciousness of her authority as the Queen, she began to exercise her authority in Shushan. She teamed up with Mordecai to fight against all the injustices against the Jews.

Esther and Mordecai were courageous and persistent in their resolve and fight for justice. Esther invited the King and Haman to a banquet where she broke the news about the conspiracy to eliminate the Jews. God intervened and caused the King to legislate that Haman should be hanged.

Esther fought vigorously until King Ahasuerus gave Haman’s signet ring to Mordecai and she appointed Mordecai to oversee the House of Haman. The signet ring was a symbol of authority, which Haman used to oppress the Jews.

In addition, Esther ensured that the oppressive decree, which Haman enacted that were against the Jews were rewritten. Through their collective efforts, the Jews gained freedom in Shushan. Everyone in Shushan sought to be like the Jews (Esther 8:17). Providence was on the side of Mordecai.

Through his position as one who sat at the king’s gate, he discovered a plot that was meant to eliminate and overthrow the King. One day, the King remembered Mordecai’s loyalty and rewarded him. He caused him to be honoured and decorated with the King’s insignia by no other person than Haman, Mordecai’s arch enemy.
Esther and Mordecai exemplify how people could assert their authority to bring about transformation in national affairs.
• Contact: [email protected]