In Conclusion……

The final chapter of the Book of Esther is very short – more of a Conclusion or an Epilogue than a full chapter. It wraps things up.

King Xerxes imposed tribute throughout the empire, to its distant shores. And all his acts of power and might, together with a full account of the greatness of Mordecai, whom the king had promoted, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Media and Persia? Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews.  Esther 10:1-3

That’s it. All three verses of it.

‘Imposed tribute’ means ‘Imposed taxes’. It’s proof that the whole of his empire belongs to him and is answerable to him. Everything the people of his empire have belongs to king Xerxes – and of his own, they are giving him a portion. And it’s quite an empire!

This is all real. This is all true. It’s in the history books. Mordecai was a real man, raised to be the king’s right hand man, even though he was one of the Jewish exiles.

And why?

• because he was held in high esteem
• because he worked for the good of his people
• because he spoke up for the welfare of all his people

Chart depicting the leadership style of transformational leaders

That’s the kind of person we want to have in power, isn’t it? Someone who puts the interests of his people before his own. Someone who is not so caught up in his fame and glory that he forgets those in need around him. Someone who always remembers where he has come from. Someone who doesn’t surround himself with the rich and famous and forget about those with no voice. Someone who is prepared to stand up for what is right. Someone who will use his power to help the powerless.

If only more of our world leaders were like that. If only more of our politicians were like that. If only more of our managers and leaders were like that. If only we were more like that……..