末底改：一個不妥協的人
西爾維婭-諾伊施 Sylvia Neusch
日期：2022年4月3日
翻譯：Kate
原文來源：以利亞名單
轉載/轉寄 請註明出處：國度禱告網
最近我們慶祝了普珥節，這個節日是為了紀念猶太民族的救贖，而這一切都始於以斯帖時代。多年來，我們一直正確地尊重以斯帖，因為她採取了勇敢的姿態，代表她的人民--猶太人--接近國王。以斯帖曾被警告說，邪惡的哈曼設計邪惡的陰謀，要消滅所有猶太人。以斯帖願意冒著生命危險接近國王，開始了改變她的家庭和國家的一切的轉變。
當我在普珥節期間再次閱讀這個備受喜愛的故事時，這次我對一些不同的事物印象深刻。我的注意力被以斯帖的堂哥末底改的生活所吸引，他在以斯帖父母去世後收留了她。我讀了以斯帖記，一節一節地讀，標記並記下提到末底改的每一句話，並記下他在這個史詩般的故事中的角色。在觀察他的犧牲生活時，我所經歷的是神聖的敬畏。雖然以斯帖一直被描繪成這個故事的女主角，但我看到末底改在他自己的儀式中是一個非常引人注目的英雄。
我相信神正在呼召一代 "末底改 "在這個時候站出來，幫助指導和培養我們時代的下一個 "以斯帖"。如果沒有末底改對她的虔誠教養和看顧，以斯帖就不會成為我們在聖經認識的那個以斯帖。
我們正處在這樣一個時代，神正在培養母親和父親，以培養和指導下一代成為天國的兒女。這一代人被稱為 "沒有父親 "的一代，因此需求很大。有許多人不知道什麼是被父親和母親所愛，以及接受父母的愛和管教。
末底改意志堅定，專注於侍奉上帝和服務他人。他以身作則，過著他希望以斯帖效法的生活。我相信最好的導師，或者說母親和父親，是那些選擇以自己的方式為神生活的人，那些在他們影響範圍內的人可以很容易地觀察和跟隨。
末底改：先知性的守望者
末底改也是以先知性的守望者的恩賜行事。在以斯帖的故事中，我們發現末底改被安排在王的門口，不僅監視以斯帖的生活，也監視他的人民--猶太人的國家。末底改耳聽八方，聆聽神的作為，使神的計畫和目的得以實施。這就是為什麼坐在王門外的末底改發現了一個刺殺亞哈隨魯王的陰謀，而門內的人對此一無所知（以斯帖記2:21-23）。末底改將這個計畫傳達給以斯帖，而以斯帖又將這個計畫告訴王。不僅王的生命因此而得救，而且隨著故事的發展，這一事件也錯綜複雜地交織在上帝對以色列人民的目的和計畫的展開中。
在這個時候，神正在興起祂的末底改。祂正在興起那些有守望者恩賜的人，他們將駐紮在牆上。他們不需要站在最前面，而是為了愛神和周圍的人而捨棄自己的生命。上帝將把他們安置在有影響力的策略位置。有些人將坐在 "王的門 "上，在黑暗的地方充當傾聽者和有影響力的光和真理的大使。其他人將被安排在更隱蔽的地方，但這並不重要，因為他們的作用同樣重要。他們將為耶穌王服務。
一位不妥協的人
末底改不會在邪惡的哈曼面前屈膝或屈服。"在朝門的一切臣僕都跪拜哈曼，因為王如此吩咐；惟獨末底改不跪不拜。"（以斯帖記3:2）。雖然末底改願意揭發刺殺國王的陰謀，但他知道該在哪裡劃清界限。他無疑觀察過哈曼，認識到他的邪惡，所以他不願意向他下跪或向他致敬。
那些像末底改一樣的人將不願意妥協，不願意向邪惡下跪。他們的心不會被政治的靈或懦弱所吸引，這種靈或懦弱是為了安撫那些身居高位的人，以達到自己的目的。那些像末底改一樣的人將已經完全把他們的心和完全效忠於萬王之王。他們不能被收買、勸說，或被操縱為背叛或不忠。他們不會擔心自己的名譽受損，也不會擔心自己的平台受損，而是會明智地辨別和評估自己要走的路。
那些像末底改一樣的人將被要求站到最前面。將會有一些策略時刻，讓人們聽到他們的聲音，並釋放他們的警告呼聲。這些勇敢而有洞察力的人將願意在需要時打亂蘋果車。末底改們將願意發佈艱難的信息，做出艱難的決定，因為他們已經學會在管理神給他們的聲音時謙卑和正直地行走。
末底改在給以斯帖傳話，讓她不請自來地出現在王面前時，一定為他要求以斯帖所做的事而內心顫抖。他知道不請自來會受到死亡的懲罰，除非王選擇把他的金權杖交給她。這個年輕的女人，現在是王后，是末底改像父親一樣愛護和關心的人。然而，他相信並知道，上帝給她策略性的位份。這就是為什麼他能夠向她傳達這些艱難的話。
"末底改託人回覆以斯帖說：你莫想在王宮裡強過一切猶大人，得免這禍。此時你若閉口不言，猶大人必從別處得解脫，蒙拯救；你和你父家必致滅亡。焉知你得了王后的位分不是為現今的機會嗎？" （以斯帖4:13-14）
以斯帖的勇敢回應
雖然以斯帖一開始對不請自來地接近國王的想法望而卻步，但末底改堅持不懈的智慧和懇求使她的心發生了變化。以斯帖明智地要求末底改召集所有的猶太人禁食三天，顯示出她的信心，即上帝是能夠改變國王的心的人，並再次向她示好。這次禁食非常有效，因為國王不僅在以斯帖進入時對她示好，而且以斯帖隨後制定了策略，在尊重王的同時，也揭露了邪惡的哈曼。
當我們進入這個新時代時，神正以新方式強調祈禱、禁食和代禱。聖靈正在祂的子民中運行，隨著人心的覺醒，點燃了新的代禱之火。許多人開始以新眼光和新熱情看待禱告。
神的計畫和目的與基督的新婦完全進入她身為皇家祭司的角色有關。我們正以這樣的速度前進，即我們屈服於祂對我們心靈的招攬，進入祂的祈禱和代禱的法庭。在未來的日子裡，神的作戰計畫和作戰室策略對於推進王國的發展是絕對必要的。那些聽從國王召喚進入密室的人，將帶著智慧和權柄站在最前面。
我們戴著王的戒指
以斯帖記第8章第2節中出現了一節關鍵而又經常被忽視的經文："王摘下自己的戒指，就是從哈曼追回的，給了末底改。以斯帖派末底改管理哈曼的家產。"將哈曼的戒指交給末底改是故事中一個重要而感人的時刻。眨眼間，末底改從默默無聞晉升為大人物。
在我看來，這節經文代表了基督在十字架上所成就的美好畫面。透過祂的死亡、埋葬和復活，祂打敗了我們的仇敵--撒旦。祂後來承認，天地間所有的權柄都已經交給了祂。祂找回了因人的罪而失去的權柄鑰匙，並以同樣的權柄委託我們。祂給了我們祂的'信物戒指'，可以這麼說，現在我們能夠制定符合祂公義王國的皇家法令和詔書。
所有的受造物都在呻吟，希望神的兒女們能夠覺醒，知道我們現在戴著我們國王的標誌環。祂已經給了我們權柄，讓我們以祂的名義行動，宣佈、釋放、捆綁、鬆開，並制定法令，使祂的名字得到榮耀。
"各省的首領、總督、省長，和辦理王事的人，因懼怕末底改，就都幫助猶大人。末底改在朝中為大，名聲傳遍各省，日漸昌盛。"（以斯帖記9:3-4）
許多末底改將踏上晉升之路
是的，上帝在今天的世界上安排了祂現在的末底改。他們已經把自己的心交給了他們的國王。他們將在指導和培養以斯帖人方面發揮重要作用，以斯帖們已經學會效法他們的信仰方式和奉獻生活。末底改們在地球上有時可能不被注意，但天堂注意到他們的謙卑、勇氣和愛的故事，並為他們的發展感到高興。
許多末底改們將步入晉升和顯赫的地位，讓他們周圍的人感到驚訝。上帝將使用他們身為祂牆上的守望者，聆聽來自天堂的聲音，並為領袖和國王帶來巨大的影響。然而，神已將祂的印記放在他們的心中，他們屬於他們的愛人。
神啊，請在這一代人中興起祢的末底改！
"末底改穿著藍色白色的朝服，頭戴大金冠冕，又穿紫色細麻布的外袍，從王面前出來；書珊城的人民都歡呼快樂。"（以斯帖記8:15）
Mordecai: A Man of No Compromise
Sylvia Neusch
Apr 3, 2022
Recently we celebrated Purim, the holiday that commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people that all began during the time of Esther. Over the years, we have rightly honored Esther for the brave stance that she took to approach the king on behalf of her people, the Jews. Esther had been warned that the wicked Haman had devised an evil plot to destroy every Jew. Esther's willingness to risk her own life to approach the king began the shift that changed everything for her family and nation.
As I once again read this much-loved story during Purim, I was impressed by something different this time. My attention was drawn to the life of Mordecai, Esther's cousin, who had taken her in as a child when her parents died. I read through the book of Esther, verse by verse, marking and noting every sentence referring to Mordecai, and making note of his part in this epic story. What I experienced was a holy awe in observing his sacrificial life. Though Esther has always been portrayed as the heroine of this story, I came to see Mordecai as a very notable hero in his own rite.
I believe God is calling for a generation of 'Mordecais' to step up to the plate in this hour to help mentor and raise up the next 'Esthers' of our time. Esther would not have been the same Esther we've come to know through Scripture had it not been for the godly upbringing and watchful care that had been given to her by Mordecai.
We are in a time where God is raising up mothers and fathers to nurture and mentor the next generation into their place as sons and daughters of the Kingdom. This generation has been known as a "fatherless" generation, and so the need is great. There are many who have not known what it is to be loved by a father and mother and to receive both their love and discipline.
Mordecai was resolute and focused on serving God and serving others. He lived by example the life that He wanted Esther to emulate. I believe the best mentors, or mothers and fathers, are those who choose to live their lives unto God in a manner that those who are in their realm of influence can easily observe and follow.
Mordecai, the Prophetic Watchman
Mordecai also operated in a prophetic watchman anointing. Over and over in the story of Esther, we find Mordecai positioned at the king's gate not only watching over the life of Esther, but also the nation of his people, the Jews. Mordecai had his ear tuned to hear what God was doing so that God's plans and purposes could be implemented. That is why Mordecai, who sat outside the king's gate, picked up on a conspiracy to assassinate King Xerxes which those within the king's gates knew nothing about (Esther 2:21-23). Mordecai conveyed the plan to Esther who, in turn, shared it with the king. Not only was the king's life saved as a result, but the incident became intricately woven into the unfolding of God's purposes and plans for the people of Israel as the story progressed.
God is raising up His Mordecais in this hour. He is raising up those with the WATCHMAN ANOINTING who will station themselves on the wall. They will have no need to be in the forefront, but instead, they have laid their lives down for the love of God and those around them. God will position them in strategic places of influence. Some will sit at the 'king's gate' and serve as listening ears and ambassadors of influential light and truth in dark places. Others will be positioned in more obscure places, but it will not matter as their role is no less significant. They will serve King Jesus. (Photo via Max Pixel)
A Man of No Compromise
Mordecai would not bend his knee or bow before the evil Haman. "All the royal officials at the king's gate knelt down and paid honor to Haman, for the king had commanded this concerning him. But Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor" (Esther 3:2). Though Mordecai had been willing to uncover a plot to assassinate the king, he knew where to draw the line. He had undoubtedly observed Haman and recognized evil in him, so he was unwilling to bow his knee or pay him honor.
Those who are like Mordecai will be unwilling to compromise and bow their knee to evil. Their hearts will not be drawn into the political spirit or cowardice that seeks to appease those in high positions for the purpose of their own advancement. Those like Mordecai will have already fully given their hearts and total allegiance to the King of kings. They can not be bought, persuaded, or manipulated into betrayal or disloyalty. They will not be worried about their loss of reputation, or damage to their platform, but will wisely discern and assess the path they are to take.
Those like Mordecai are going to be called to step into the forefront. There will be strategic moments to let their voices be heard and to release their warning cries. These brave and discerning ones will be willing to upset the applecart when needed. The Mordecais will be willing to release the tough messages and make the hard decisions because they have learned to walk in humility and integrity in stewarding God's voice to them.
Mordecai must have inwardly trembled at what he was asking Esther to do when he sent word to her to appear before the king uninvited. He knew that appearing uninvited would be punished by death unless the king chose to extend his golden scepter to her. This young woman, now a queen, was the one Mordecai had loved and cared for like a father. Yet, he believed and knew that God had strategically positioned her. This is why he was able to convey these hard words to her:
"...Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:13-14)
Esther's Courageous Response
Though Esther initially balked at the thought of approaching the king uninvited, Mordecai's persistent wisdom and pleas brought about a shift in her heart. Esther wisely asked for Mordecai to gather all the Jews in a three day fast, revealing her faith that God was the one who could shift the heart of the king and once again show her favor. The fast was very effective as the king not only showed Esther favor as she entered, but Esther then developed a strategy that would honor the king and at the same time expose wicked Haman.
As we move forward into this new era, God is highlighting prayer, fasting and intercession in a fresh way. The Holy Spirit is moving among His people, igniting fresh fires of intercession as hearts are awakened. Many are beginning to see prayer with new eyes and new passion.
The plans and purposes of God are linked to the Bride of Christ stepping fully into her role as the royal priesthood. We are moving along at the rate that we yield ourselves to His wooing of our hearts into His courts of prayer and intercession. God's battle plans and war room strategies will be absolutely essential to advancing the Kingdom in the coming days. Those who have given themselves to the call of their King into the secret place will rise to the forefront with wisdom and authority.
We Wear the King's Signet Ring
A pivotal and yet often unnoticed verse appears in Esther 8:2: "The king took off his signet ring, which he had reclaimed from Haman, and presented it to Mordecai. And Esther appointed him over Haman's estate." The handing over of Haman's ring to Mordecai is a significant and touching moment in the story. In the blink of an eye, Mordecai is promoted from obscurity to great prominence. (Photo via Max Pixel)
This verse represents to me a beautiful picture of what Christ accomplished on the Cross. Through His death, burial, and resurrection, He defeated our enemy, satan. He later acknowledged that all authority in Heaven and Earth had been given to Him. He retrieved the keys of authority that had been lost through man's sin and commissioned us in that same authority. He gave us his 'signet ring,' so to speak, and now we are able to make the royal decrees and edicts that line up with His righteous Kingdom.
All of creation groans for the sons and daughters of God to be awakened to the fact that we now wear our King's signet ring. He has given us authority to move in His name, to declare, release, bind, loose, and make edicts that bring glory to His name.
"And all the nobles of the provinces, the satraps, the governors and the king's administrators helped the Jews, because fear of Mordecai had seized them. Mordecai was prominent in the palace; his reputation spread through the provinces, and he became more and more powerful." (Esther 9:3-4)
Many Mordecais Will Step Into Promotion
Yes, God has positioned His present-day Mordecais in the world today. They have given their hearts over to their one King. They will be instrumental in mentoring and raising up Esthers who have learned to emulate their way of faith and life of devotion. The Mordecais may sometimes go unnoticed on Earth, but Heaven notices and delights in their unfolding story of humility, courage, and love.
Many Mordecais will step into promotion and prominence that surprises those around them. God will use them as watchmen on His wall to hear from Heaven and bring great influence to leaders and kings. Yet, God has set His seal upon their hearts, and they belong to their Beloved.
God, raise up Your Mordecais in this generation!
"When Mordecai left the king's presence, he was wearing royal garments of blue and white, a large crown of gold and a purple robe of fine linen. And the city of Susa held a joyous celebration." (Esther 8:15)
