那些竭力维护自身影响力的领袖需要默想以斯帖记中记载的末底改的故事。停下脚步，远离周遭负面的领袖榜样，并将注意力转向上帝话语中恒久的引领。上帝的黄色荧光笔正在那些圣灵默示的书页间挥动。当你发现那些珍贵的宝藏时，你就能预备自己在彼时彼刻（斯4:14中译作：现今的机会）获得成功。 本文来源:《传道者》杂志翻译/朗读:TruthTV 小组

效学末底改的领导力

以斯帖记中的四大领导价值观

作者:莱克莎·威廉姆斯，博士，教育家，牧师配偶，现居美国 亚拉巴马 亨茨维尔

 我永远不会忘记上小学五年级的那年，因为我们终于可以使用荧光笔了。在那个特别的夏天，我满怀期待地和父母一同购买学习用品。我在过道里走来走去，为成功地进入新学年精心挑选最合用的文具，当我走到荧光笔专区时，我心动了。我毫不犹豫地抓起一包四支装的霓虹彩笔——黄色、绿色、橙色和粉色——并将其收入囊中。可以想象开学第一天老师叫我们拿出数学笔记本时，我是多么激动。他在黑板上工整地写下了几个标题，其中也包括写在日期右上角的“要点”二字。我们记下每天的笔记后，他都会告诉我们可以用荧光笔来标注当天的要点。可以说，这是我在这门课程中最喜欢的环节，因为我可以决定选择何种颜色。记得在开学的前几周，我尝试着使用每一种颜色，而最终，只有一种颜色脱颖而出。霓虹黄就像有闪烁的灯光包围着这些字，对我呼喊着： “在这里！在这里！”以斯帖记第10章亦是如此。

高光时刻 

这一章的结语也（仿佛）是用黄色荧光笔勾画了故事的主旨。我们很容易陷入亚哈随鲁王处置瓦实提，立以斯帖为王后的故事，或是关注哈曼为除灭政敌机关算尽，最终自食恶果。又或许，你停留在末底改对以斯帖说出的不朽独白——“为现今的机会”（斯4:14）当时以斯帖犹豫不决，不知如何使用那天赐之权帮助她的族人。为防止人们忽略这个道理，以斯帖记第10章毫无保留地将其呈于世人。“犹大人末底改作亚哈随鲁王的宰相，在犹大人中为大，得他众弟兄的喜悦，为本族的人求好处，向他们说和睦的话。”(斯10:3)突然，在本卷书的最后一节，书中一个其貌不扬的小角色——末底改，成为了英雄。通过对末底改领导风格的简短描述，这段经文为当代领袖提供了四种领导力价值观。它们代表了上帝领袖的道德使命。首先，真正的伟大唯赖乎那独一的又真又活的上帝。其次，受人青睐是伟大领袖的记号。再次，伟大的领袖为他们所服务的人谋福祉。最后，伟大的领袖追求和睦。

领导力价值观之一:伟大从上帝而来

以斯帖记呈现了多种领导风格。第一个极端是，有一位领导者（或是他认为）靠自己拥有一切。亚哈随鲁为获得显赫的地位辛苦争战。但他缺乏自信，时常回首查看是否有人试图欺骗他。因此，他会快速除灭任何挑战他权威的人，他的追随者(例如哈曼)也是如此。然而，以斯帖记第10章记述末底改承受了王所赐的尊大。在整卷书中，他都谦卑地服侍于朝门(斯2:19)。“坐在朝门”这个短语表明了他在朝事管理中的重要地位。末底改这个名字，意为“无足轻重的人”。虽然末底改从不向上帝祈求尊大，但无论他处于何种职位，都表现出勤奋、勇敢和坚毅(斯2:11；3:2；4:14)的品质。这谦卑的态度使他在朝中为大(斯9:4)。以斯帖记的最后一章指出，伟大的领袖可以有一个不同选择。当上帝赐你尊大时，祂也会使你确信，职位无关自我，而是关乎那独一的、量才适用的上帝。领袖可以依靠上帝的力量在祂的定时被高举。上帝垂青之领袖的经历将会构筑品格，使他们足能应对困境。在这个有野心的领导者不惜以道德为代价争权夺利的时代，知道唯有上帝才能赋予领导者恒久的尊大诚然是一种安慰。上帝使世界上的末底改尊大也不足为奇(雅各书4:10；彼前5:6).

领导力价值观之二:伟大的领袖受人青睐

“不要自欺，上帝是轻慢不得的。人种的是什么，收的也是什么。”(加6:7)撒种与收割的道理对于那些陷入困境的领袖而言是一个再熟悉不过的概念了。诸多领导理论——例如交易型、变革型和仆人型——表明互谅互让是领袖与成员产生良性沟通的基础。作为一位领袖，若想知道自己究竟如何，看看你的追随者。你服务所结的果子是什么？对亚哈随鲁而言，他的追随者既卑鄙又自私。他的领导营造了一种人人争相妄图尊大的环境。他们不断地回头查看，以确保没有人欺骗他们。相比之下，末底改的领导从未渴求尊荣。相反，他是先付出后得回报。末底改并非凌驾于旁人之上。他不谄媚任何人(斯3:5；徒10:34；罗2:11)。末底改非常关心他的族人(斯8:15-17；4:1)。他并不傲慢也不自大，并且认为自己当前的地位是上帝赋予他的重大责任，并鼓励他人也如此行(斯4:14)。百姓也都认可并议论此事。由于他的行为和上帝明明地抬举他的地位，末底改有了威名 (以斯帖记9:4)。当代领袖也当如此。上帝所呼召的领袖需要忠心和真诚的关心，甚至是在小事上。在适当的时候，上帝不仅会高举这样的领袖，还会使其深深地为人接受。谦卑和伟大的领导力，必会得到真诚的青睐。

领导力价值观之三:伟大的领袖为他们所服务的人谋福祉

领袖为其追随者谋益处极其重要。然而，这个概念很难把握，因为有时候真正好的，看起来并不是那么好。以斯帖记中最引人注目的一幕是末底改与以斯帖的谈话，提到她有责任与王谈论当前的裁决对她族人的影响。末底改为犹太人求好处，他甚至向以斯帖断言，倘若她不赶快行动，她和她的家人都会被除灭，而上帝会藉着他人使犹太人得解救。这声明对他自己也是一个直接的打击。以斯帖是他最亲的人——如果她死了，他也会死！寻求最优解是一位领袖的责任，就是最大限度地使他/她接触的所有人受益，关爱他人，甚至不惜牺牲自我。即使遭遇道德难题，成功的当代领袖在做出决策时也会考虑整体利益及对其集体的影响。他们总是着眼于集体的长期利益。伟大的领袖要为他人谋福利的事实，并非不顾大多数领袖身处窘境地纸上谈兵。这需要属灵的智慧，以晓得在特定情况下何为最优解。上帝的领袖榜样也向我们表明，祂渴望纯粹的善，这种善被内化于心灵深处，并会喜悦而兴奋地将其表现出来。追随着这榜样，当代领袖认识到了善意和愉悦对其追随者的作用。虽然生活有时会有坏的结果，但这绝非上帝的本意(创50:20)。不幸的是，这个世界并不完美，但这一事实并不妨碍领袖同心合意竭力托起负重的心。上帝希望人类体验生活的美好。末底改为他的追随者也是如此寻求，这为今天的领袖带来了第三种领导力价值观。

领导力价值观之四:伟大的领袖追求和睦

究其本质，领导工作难免遭遇动荡时期。若想取得最有效的变革和恒久的增长，紧张和冲突就在所难免。然而，一位领袖寻求微妙的平衡，就是为了实现和睦，即使领袖所经历的并不总是和睦的。最终，和睦成为了美好的逃城。聪明的领袖知道，为追随者谋求和睦有助于增进忠心和果效。末底改的领导风格与其他主人公，即亚哈随鲁、哈曼，甚至以斯帖形成了鲜明的对比。亚哈随鲁易怒，人们不停地尝试着安抚他。哈曼是以自我为中心之领导者的典型，他渴望权能和尊大，不惜毁灭整个民族。以斯帖贡献了一个样例，她对自己完全掌握的权力和职位的意义（斯4:14）犹豫不决。在以上的案例中，领袖都错失或是险些错失了为其民族谋求和睦的良机。末底改的领导力所树立的榜样代表了领袖对其追随者生活和睦的关心。当代领袖要为他们的追随者既谋福祉，又求和睦。但这需要他们在其服务对象的事务中不断学习。也需要定期积极而真诚的沟通。这种积极的互动能够创造出使其追随者得以高效工作的环境。

引导领导力的源泉

我的黄色荧光笔一两个月就用干了。但每日用它勾画的数学要点却可以持续闪耀直到年底。每隔一段时间，老师就会让我们做章节或单元测试。他常常鼓励我们回顾那些所标注的重点，以确保我们将那些重点烂熟于心。我记得自己一页一页地翻阅笔记，大声朗读每一个彩色标记的短语。果然，只要学过，我就能顺利地通过每一次测验或考试。再回首时，我发现老师总是明白他所做的。他知道考试内容，也知道我需要如何学习才能通过考试。我相信我们的大教师对祂的学生也存着同样的旨意。祂标记了所有的经文。以斯帖记第10章只是上帝向今天的领袖强调的诸多经文之一，它鼓励我们反复思索一位意料之外的英雄——末底改的领导力价值观。末底改的故事表明，上帝命定的领袖能够承受尊大。它揭示了“投我以木桃，报之以琼瑶”的互惠价值，也强调了为他人谋求益处与和睦福祉的重要性。那些竭力维护自身影响力的领袖需要默想以斯帖记中记载的末底改的故事。停下脚步，远离周遭负面的领袖榜样，并将注意力转向上帝话语中恒久的引领。上帝的黄色荧光笔正在那些圣灵默示的书页间挥动。当你发现那些珍贵的宝藏时，你就能预备自己在彼时彼刻（斯4:14中译作：现今的机会）获得成功。 

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LEADING LIKE MORDECAI:

FOUR LEADERSHIP VALUES FROM THE BOOK OF ESTHER

By LaKeisha Williams, PhD, an educator and pastor’s spouse, residing in Huntsville, Alabama, United States.

I will never forget the year in upper elementary school that we students were able to use highlighter pens. That particular summer, I greatly anticipated shopping for school supplies with my parents. As I paced the aisles, carefully selecting the most appropriate items for a successful school year, my heart leaped when I reached the highlighter section. Without hesitation, I snatched up a four-pack of pens with different neon colors—yellow, green, orange, and pink—to add to my collection.

You can imagine my excitement on the first day of school when our teacher told us to take out our math notebooks. He neatly wrote several headings on the board, including the word “OBJECTIVE” at the top right corner under the date. After we completed our daily practice of notetaking, he told us that we could use a highlighter pen to emphasize the objective for the day. That was arguably my favorite part of the class as I decided which color to select. I remember trying each color during the first few weeks of school, but eventually, one color stood out as best. The neon yellow was like surrounding the words with flashing lights that bellowed, “Over here! Over here!” Such is the case with Esther 10.

THE HIGHLIGHT MOMENT

The concluding statements in the chapter mark yellow highlighter all over the main idea of the story. It is easy to get stuck on King Ahasuerus’s dealings with Vashti that led to Esther’s appointment or Haman’s sick efforts to take down his enemy only to have his plans to flip back onto himself. Perhaps, you stopped at the timeless “for such a time as this” monologue Mordecai gave to Esther as she vacillated in indecision on how to use her sudden, unexpected authority to help her people. But, in case you missed it, Esther 10 provides us with all we need to know.

“For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed” (Esther 10:3, KJV; emphasis added).

Suddenly, in the last verse of the story, Mordecai, an apparently minor character in the book, emerges as the hero.

Through its short description of Mordecai’s leadership style, the passage provides four leadership values for the contemporary leader. They represent a moral imperative for God’s leader. First, true greatness comes only from the one True and Living God. Second, favor is a sign of great leadership. Third, great leaders seek good for those they serve. Finally, great leaders pursue peace.

LEADERSHIP VALUE 1: GREATNESS COMES FROM GOD

The book of Esther presents a variety of leadership styles. On one end of the spectrum, we have a leader who has obtained everything by himself—or so he thinks. Ahasuerus has fought hard to attain a prominent place. Unfortunately, his self-confidence is weak, and he constantly looks over his shoulder to see whether someone is trying to trick him. As a result, he is quick to eliminate anyone who challenges his authority, and his followers (for example, Haman) behave similarly.

​

However, Esther 10 describes Mordecai as a recipient of greatness given by the king. Throughout the book, we find a man humbly serving at the palace gates (Esther 2:19). The phrase “sitting at the gates” indicates that he had a significant position in the royal administration. The name Mordecai, in fact, means “little man.” Although he never asks God for greatness, Mordecai exhibits diligence, boldness, and purpose, whatever his role (Esther 2:11; 3:2; 4:14). In this humble attitude, greatness finds him (Esther 9:4).

The final chapter of Esther suggests that alternate options exist for great leadership. When given by God, greatness in leadership comes with an assurance that position is not about self but about the One who uniquely placed the individual to serve in that capacity. It allows the leader to rely on God’s power to exalt in His own time. The journey of such leaders honored by God will build character that will enable them to withstand difficulty.

At a time when aspiring leaders compete for power at the expense of moral behavior, it is a relief to know that only God gives lasting greatness in leadership. It is also no surprise that God provides greatness to the Mordecais of the world (James 4:10; 1 Pet. 5:6).

LEADERSHIP VALUE 2: GREAT LEADERS ARE FAVORED BY OTHERS

“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows” (Gal. 6:7, NIV). The principle of sowing and reaping is a familiar concept for those caught up in the throes of leadership. Many leadership theories—for example, those of transactional, transformational, and servant leadership—suggest that give-and-take is a necessity in a quality leadership-member exchange. If you, as a leader, wish to know how you are faring, look at your followers. What is the fruit of your service?

For Ahasuerus, his followers were sneaky and selfish. His leadership fostered an environment in which everyone scrambled over each other in their drive to be the greatest. They constantly glanced over their shoulders to make sure that no one scammed them.

In contrast, Mordecai’s leadership did not have to demand respect. Rather, he gained it by giving it first. Mordecai did not operate above those around him. He was no respecter of persons (Esther 3:5; Acts 10:34; Rom. 2:11). Mordecai was very involved with and cared deeply for his people (Esther 8:15–17; 4:1). Not haughty or puffed up, he took his current position as a serious responsibility from God and encouraged others to do the same (Esther 4:14). People recognized and discussed it. As a result of how he conducted himself and God’s public exaltation of his status, Mordecai became famous (Esther 9:4).

So it is with contemporary leadership. God’s call to leadership requires faithfulness and genuine care and concern in even the little things. In due time, the Lord will not only exalt such a leader but also cause that leader to be deeply and personally accepted by others. When leadership operates in humility and greatness, it receives sincere favor.

LEADERSHIP VALUE 3: GREAT LEADERS SEEK GOOD FOR THOSE THEY SERVE

We cannot overstate the importance of leaders pursuing good for their followers. However, such a concept is difficult to grasp when sometimes what is good does not feel good. One of the most striking incidents in the book of Esther is the conversation that Mordecai has with her concerning her duty to speak with the king about the impact of the recent ruling on her people.

Mordecai sought good to the extent that he assured Esther that if she did not act quickly, she and her family would be lost, and God would bring deliverance for the Jews through someone else. Such a pronouncement was a direct blow to himself. Esther was the closest of kin—if she perished, so would he!

A leader’s responsibility is to do what is best by maximizing benefit to all whom he or she has contact with, to care for others even at the price of self-sacrifice. Even amid moral conundrums, successful contemporary leaders consider the overall benefit and impact to their communities when making decisions. Their perspective focuses on lasting benefits for all. The reality that great leadership seeks good for others does not ignore the imperfect context in which most leaders operate. Seeking good requires godly wisdom to know what is best in a particular situation.

God’s example of leadership also shows us that He desires pure good that is deeply internalized and manifests itself in joy and excitement. When following this example, contemporary leaders recognize the roles of goodwill and pleasure for their followers. While life sometimes includes negative consequences, that is never God’s original intent (Genesis 50:20). Unfortunately, the world is not perfect, but that fact should not prevent a leader from making a concerted and intentional effort to lift the heavy-laden heart as much as possible. God wants His creation to experience the good things of life. Mordecai sought the same for his followers and thus provides a third leadership value for today’s leaders.

LEADERSHIP VALUE 4: GREAT LEADERS PURSUE PEACE

By its very nature, leadership involves encountering turbulent turbulent times. The most effective change and lasting growth will involve tension and conflict. However, the delicate balance that a leader seeks has peace as its goal even though the experience of leadership is never always peaceful. But in the end, peace becomes a welcome retreat. Wise leaders know that peace for their followers will increase loyalty and effectiveness.

Mordecai’s leadership style contrasts directly with those of others in the story, namely Ahasuerus; Haman; and, yes, even Esther herself. In the case of Ahasuerus, we find a leader quick to anger. People continually seek to appease him. Haman is an example of a self-centered leader who wants power and greatness so badly that he is willing to destroy an entire nation. Even Esther provides an example of a leader who is hesitant to fully grasp the power and purpose of her position. In each of these instances, the leader either forfeits or nearly misses an opportunity to bring peace to his or her nation.

Mordecai’s leadership example represents a personal concern for peace in the lives of his followers. Contemporary leaders seek not only good for their followers but also peace. But that requires continual study into the affairs of the people they serve. It demands regular positive and authentic communication. Such positive interaction creates an environment that enables their followers to work efficiently.

A SOURCE FOR LEADERSHIP GUIDANCE

My yellow pen dried out within a month or two. But the highlighted daily math objectives continued to shine brightly through to the end of the year. Every once in a while, my teacher gave us a test over a chapter or unit. He always encouraged us to review our highlighted sections to make sure we had the main points seared into our memories. I remember turning the pages of my notes one at a time and reading each brightly colored phrase aloud. Sure enough, as long as I studied, I successfully passed each quiz or test. Looking back, I see that my teacher understood what he was doing all along. He knew what was on the test and what I needed to know to pass.

I believe that our Great Teacher has the same in mind for His students. He has highlighted passages all throughout Scripture. Esther 10 is just one of many passages for today’s leaders highlighted by God to encourage us to reflect on the leadership values of an unexpected hero, Mordecai. Mordecai’s story demonstrates that God-ordained leadership receives greatness. It reveals the reciprocal value of gracefulness and favor when interacting with others. Last it emphasizes the importance of seeking the goodwill and peaceful welfare of others.

Leaders who struggle to have an assurance of their impact need to take the time to consider Mordecai’s story recorded in the book of Esther. Pause and step away from the questionable leadership examples found in the world around us and turn your attention to a lasting guide in God’s Word. God has a yellow highlighter pen moving throughout the inspired pages. As you discover those valuable treasures, you will prepare yourself to be successful for such a time as this. 

Please find the original article at https://www.ministrymagazine.org/archive/2021/07/Leading-like-Mordecai

传道者