Mordecai had warned Esther not to tell anyone that she was a Jew, and she obeyed him. He was anxious to see how Esther was getting along and to learn what had happened to her. So each day he would walk back and forth in front of the court where the women lived.
(Esther 2:10-11, CEV)
So far, we haven’t seen much real love displayed by our characters. While former queen Vashti might have loved King Xerxes, it was certainly (and understandably) conditional. And if the king really loved his former queen, he had a funny way of showing it.
But when we read about Mordecai’s care for Esther, we sense a true depth of love.
The Greek language has several words to connote love. Many of us are familiar with at least three of them: Agape (unconditional, sacrificial love); Phileo (brotherly love); and Eros (intimate love, usually between spouses). There’s also a fourth: Storge, which is the love of family.
Mordecai certainly shows Storge, as he warns Esther “not tell anyone that she was a Jew.” He knew this revelation could lead to her death.
But he also shows Agape, as he “walk[s] back and forth in front” of the place where Esther lives. Each day. Sacrificially.
He's anxiously and lovingly concerned about her well-being.
What an inspiring depiction of love in the midst of a—so far—relatively unloving story.
No comments:
Post a Comment