Esther 10 closes the book of Esther with Mordecai in a position of extraordinary influence.

The man who once sat unnoticed at the king’s gate has become second only to King Ahasuerus.

But the chapter does not praise Mordecai simply because he became powerful.

It emphasizes how he used that power.

He sought the good of his people.

He spoke peace to them.

His promotion became an opportunity to serve.

Then we turn immediately to Job 1.

The setting changes dramatically.

Instead of a royal palace, we meet a righteous man living in the land of Uz.

Job is prosperous.

His family is large.

His reputation is strong.

His faith is sincere.

Then, in an extremely short period of time, nearly everything changes.

His livestock is stolen.

His servants are killed.