Quotes & Notes
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John Wesley Notes:
From another place-This was the language of strong faith,
against hope believing in hope. Who knoweth-It is probable God hath
raised thee to this honour for this very season. We should every one of
us consider, for what end God has put us in the place where we are? And
when an opportunity offers of serving God and our generation, we must
take care not to let it slip.
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Family Bible Notes:
Then shall--enlargement--arise to the Jews from another place; by this
Mordecai showed his confidence in God, and
his expectation that He would
in some way grant them deliverance.
Strong confidence in God, and expectation that he will in his own time
and way appear for those who put their trust in him, is a preparation to
experience his salvation.
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge:
* then shall. Ge 22:14; Nu 23:22-24; De 32:26,27,36; 1Sa 12:22; Isa
54:17 Jer 30:11; 33:24-26; 46:28; Am 9:8,9; Mt 16:18; 24:22
* enlargement. Heb. respiration. Ezr 9:9; Job 9:18
* but thou. Es 2:7,15; Jg 14:15-18; 15:6
* whether. Ge 45:4-8; Isa 45:1-5; 49:23; Ac 7:20-25
* for such a time. 1Sa 17:29; 2Ki 19:3; Ne 6:11
The fact related in this verse was unquestionably the reason why Esther
was raised to regal honours, by the overruling providence of God: she
was therefore bound in gratitude to do this service for God, else she
would not have answered the end of her elevation: and she need not fear
the miscarriage of the enterprise, for if God designed her for it, he
would surely bear her through and give success. It appeared by the event
that Mordecai spoke prophetically, when he modestly conjectured that
Esther came to the kingdom that she might be the instrument of the Jews'
deliverance. Mordecai thoroughly believed that it was a cause which one
way or other would certainly be carried, and which, therefore, she might
safely venture upon. Instruments might fail, but God's covenant cannot.
There is a wise design in all the providences of God, which is unknown
to us till it is accomplished; but it will prove in the issue that all
is intended for and centre in the good of those who trust in Him.
- 1599 Geneva Study Bible
Thus Mordecai spoke in the confidence of that faith which all God's
children should have; which is that
God will deliver them, though all
worldly means fail. To deliver God's Church out of these present
dangers.
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Adam Clarke Commentary:
Then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise] He had a
confidence that deliverance would come by some means; and he thought
that Esther would be the most likely; and that, if she did not use the
influence which her providential station gave her, she would be highly
culpable.
And who knoweth whether thou art come] As if he had said, "Is it likely
that Divine providence would have so distinguished thee, and raised thee
from a state of abject obscurity, merely for thy own sake? Must it not
have been on some public account! Did not he see what was coming? and
has he not put thee in the place where thou mayest counteract one of the
most ruinous purposes ever formed?" Is there a human being who has not
some particular station by an especial providence, at some particular
time, in which he can be of some essential service to his neighbour, in
averting evil or procuring good, if he be but faithful to the grace and
opportunity afforded by this station? Who dares give a negative to these
questions? We lose much, both in reference to ourselves and others, by
not adverting to our providential situation and circumstances. While on
this subject, I will give the reader two important sayings, from two
eminent men, both keen observers of human nature, and deeply attentive
in all such cases to the operations of Divine providence:-
"To every thing there is a season; and a time to every purpose under
heaven. Therefore withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it
is in the power of thy hand to do it. SOLOMON.
There is a tide in the affairs of men,
Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;
Omitted, all the voyage of their life
Is bound in shallows, and in miseries.
SHAKESPEARE.
Has there not been a case, within time of memory, when evil was designed
against a whole people, through the Hamans who had poisoned the ears of
well-intentioned men; in which one poor man, in consequence of a
situation into which he was brought by an astonishing providence, used
the influence which his situation gave him; and, by the mercy of his
God, turned the whole evil aside? By the association of ideas the
following passage will present itself to the reader's memory, who may
have any acquaintance with the circumstance:-
"There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great
king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it.
Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom
delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man!"
"Then said, I, Ah, Lord God! They say of me, DOTH HE NOT SPEAK
PARABLES?" Rem acu tetigi.
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