Please read your Bible text: Esther 3:1-15
‘…But Mordecai would not bow down or pay homage…’ 3:2b (NKJ)
Often we may be persecuted for who we are, what we do, or even for what we believed. When our actions and beliefs are so different from the mainline of society we can get ourselves into trouble. When we don’t flow along with the majority – we can become unpopular and even be ridiculed. Worst still, if there are racists among us – it can be devastating. What will you do, when who you are, and your principles (what you do and believed in) are being challenged? Would you stand up for what you believed is right and good even if it means against the odds?
Esther was into her fifth year as queen. But on the 1st month of her first year, circumstances turn against her and trouble began to brew not for her faults but because of corrupted power of a villain. The fact that she and Mordecai were Jews further added into the problem. There were racists against the Jews. Race prejudice breeds hatred! What would Esther and Mordecai do?
1) Respect Man But Worship God – vs.1-4
Mordecai refused to bow and pay respect to the newly promoted Haman not out of jealousy or being disrespectful, even though it was the king’s edict to have all the palace officials bow to Haman. Rather it was probable that something of religious homage to Haman was demanded, and for this Mordecai could not tolerate. His not bowing and paying homage to a man was in the same spirit as Daniel and his friends who would not bow to the erected image of Nebuchadnezzar; in keeping with the first two of the Ten Commandment. Another probable reason was because Haman was a descendant of Agag, king of the Amalekites (Num 24:7; the Amalekites being a people whom God had decreed utter destruction because of their evil treatment of Israel (Exodus 17:14). Therefore Mordecai could hardly pay homage to God’ enemy.
Here is the lesson: it is proper for us to respect man but we must only bow in worship to God alone. Many Christians claim to follow Christ, yet they have erected images of men or objects that they idolized in their hearts. How can this be? When it comes to allegiance to Christ, will you take an uncompromising stand even if it means against all odds?
2) Power Corrupts People – vs.5-11
Power corrupts especially when it falls on the wrong people. It was despicable cruel of Haman to determine to destroy an entire nation of Jews just to satisfy a personal grudge against Mordecai! It was unmistakably a misuse of his power as Prime Minister, the highest exalted position next to the king. So unlike Joseph, when he was raised to be the Prime Minister of Egypt, the highest only next to Pharaoh – Joseph used his power to feed the multitudes and saved an entire world then out of famine.
So the Pur, meaning the Lots (that’s where the word Purim is derived) were cast before Haman to determine the best date to launch his cruel massacre (3:7). See how power corrupts! Haman told lies about the Jewish people (3:8) and even bride the Royal Treasury of 375 tons of silver just to ensure he secured the king’s edict for his evil scheme (3:9). This is high price of cold blood! Power corrupts when it falls on the wrong hands. Will you take an uncompromising stand never to abuse power within your control?
3) Corrupted Power Confuses – vs.12-15
Haman’s evil scheme was soon settled and the messengers were carrying the edict of ethnic cleansing (massacre) to the furthest limit of the empire. But when Haman and the king sat down to drink, the Bible recorded a sad note – “…the city of Susa (the capital) fell into confusion” (3:15, NLT). That is what happens when a city is consumed with corrupted power! Only the power of Holy Spirit would bring peace and life.
THINK: Many want to follow Christ yet bow to images of men or objects, which they idolized in their hearts. Power build for good when stay within the heart of love, it corrupts far worse when it swells in our heads.
PRAYER: Father God, enable me by your grace to be a man of character; to take an uncompromising stand for what I believe and especially in my allegiance to my Lord Jesus Christ.
David Quek
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