games, the relating of field-service experiences, etc., can all combine to make such an evening one not only of relaxation and enjoyment but also one of profit.

Let each Christian minister be on guard, therefore, remembering that Satan is out to debauch the human race so as to cause all to be destroyed at Armageddon, that to sow to the flesh is to reap destruction, and that “[we] have spent time enough in the past in doing as the heathen like to do, indulging in sensuality, passion, drunkenness, carousing, dissipation”. (1 Pet. 4:3, An Amer. Trans.) Let us make honest, wise and considerate use of our Christian liberty. Be moderate in the enjoyment of the good things that God has provided, “so whether you are eating or drinking or doing anything else, do it all to the honor of God”; ever appreciating that “the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of uprightness, peace, and happiness through the possession of the holy spirit”.—1 Cor. 10:31; Rom. 14:17, An Amer. Trans.

Mordecai Worships Only Jehovah

MORDECAI was involved in the government affairs of a world empire, but he did not worship the political state. He obeyed the laws of the land when they did not conflict with God’s laws. He even acted for the preservation of the state when it was threatened by seditious conspirators. But when it came to a showdown test of allegiance Mordecai’s loyalty was for God first. That his fearless course was blessed by Jehovah is shown by the record in the Bible book called “Esther”.

The narrated events of the book take place in Persia, in the royal city of Shushan, “in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:).” The book of Esther covers approximately 484-474 B.C. While the principal character of the book might be said to be Esther, it was Mordecai who through his wise counsel guided her into the queenship. Their relationship is shown by the following:

“Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite; who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away. And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.” King Ahasuerus, because of Queen Vashti’s disobedience, selected a new queen, who was Mordecai’s cousin Esther. But even after her exaltation to the queenship “Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him”.—Esther 1:1; 2:5-7, 20.

Next in the record are recounted two events that show Mordecai’s stand for law and order through human government, yet make clear his refusal to violate God’s law when state ordinances conflict therewith. The first event is recorded at Esther 2:21-23: “In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king’s gate, two of the king’s chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus. And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai’s name. And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out; therefore they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king.”

Thus was squelched the conspiracy against the state. But in the very next verses Mordecai himself is found defying the king’s command, because it would have forced him to violate God’s law if he obeyed the king’s: “After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him. And all the king’s servants, that were in the king’s gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence. Then the king’s servants, which were in the king’s gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king’s commandment? Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai’s matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew. And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.”—Esther 3:1-5.

Note that when Mordecai had been daily questioned as to his refusal to bow down, he had answered by telling them that he was a Jew. That meant he reminded them that he was following God’s command that forbade bowing down and reverencing and worshiping creatures. Haman’s anger sought outlet not only against Mordecai but against all the Jews, and in pursuance of that end Haman pushed through a decree to destroy the Jews. On what basis was he able to get the king’s consent to his anti-Semitic drive? By charging the Jews with sedition against the state because they put God’s law above man’s. Haman told the king: “Their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king’s laws.”—Esther 3:8.

So confident of success was the cocksure Haman that he built gallows on which to hang Mordecai, and was on his way to see the king to get permission for such legalized murder. But the king met the Agagite with the question: “What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour?” Conceited Haman thought that surely the man to be honored was himself, so he outlined an elaborate parading of the man through the streets on the king’s horse, the horse to be led by one of the king’s princes. The king agreed, but how crushing the blow to Haman when he heard the man to be honored was Mordecai and that he, Haman, would be the one to lead the horse on which Mordecai rode! Why did the king suddenly wish to honor Mordecai? Because one night the king suffered from insomnia and had read to him the historical records, and in that reading it was brought to his attention again how Mordecai had reported the conspiracy against the king, and when the king learned that nothing had been done to honor Mordecai for his service, he determined to remedy the oversight. The next