Page 12 - Test

(2) A day of generosity, giving presents to each other, as a sign of mutual respect, and being knit by this and other
public common dangers and deliverances so much the closer to each other in love.
(3) A day of charity, sending gifts to the poor. Those who have received mercy must, as a sign of their gratitude,
show mercy. Thanksgiving and almsgiving should go together, that, when we are rejoicing and blessing God, the heart of
the poor may rejoice with us. They always, at the feast, read the whole story over in the synagogue each day, and put up
three prayers to God. in the first of which they praise God for counting them worthy to attend this divine service; in the
second they thank him for the miraculous preservation of their ancestors; in the third they praise him that they have lived
to observe another festival in memory of it.
(The NIV Matthew Henry Commentary, Matthew Henry)

How did the people of the land respond to the new edict?
Esther 8:17 Esther 9:2

What feast was instituted by the Jews in commemoration of their deliverance?

Esther 10:1-3

Xerxes had a vast dominion, both in the continent and among the islands, from which he raised a vast revenue.
Besides the usual customs which the kings of Persia exacted (Ezra 4:13), he laid an additional tribute on his subjects (v.
1): The king imposed tribute. Besides this example of the grandeur of Xerxes, many more might be given, that were his
acts of power and might. These however are not recorded here in the sacred story, which is confined to the Jews, and
relates the affairs of other nations only as they fell in with their affairs.
Long had Mordecai sat contentedly in the king's gate, and now at length he is advanced. The declaration of the
greatness to which the king advanced Mordecai was written in the book of the annals of the kings, as very memorable,
and contributing to the great achievements of the king. He was preeminent among the Jews (v. 3), not only great above
them, but great with them, dear to them, and much respected by them. He was good, for he did good. He did not disown
his people the Jews, though they were aliens and captives, dispersed and despised. Still he titled himself Mordecai the
Jew. He did not seek his own wealth, or the raising of an estate for himself and his family. His power, his wealth, and all
his interest in the king and queen, he used for the public good. He did not side with any one party of his people against
another, but, whatever differences there were among them, he was a common father to them all.
(The NIV Matthew Henry Commentary, Matthew Henry)

How did Mordecai conduct himself when elevated to his new position?

Esther A2 Classic Bible Study Guide 12