Esther 2:19-3:15

“And all the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman, for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai did not bow down or pay homage.” (Esther 3:2, ESV)

Mordecai is an interesting character. First, he showed loyalty to King Ahasuerus (Xerxes) by uncovering a plot to assassinate him. Subsequently, Mordecai’s name and deed were written in the king’s historical records. But then when the king commanded that everyone bow down and pay homage to Haman, Mordecai refused to do it. Why did he disobey the king’s command?

Haman was an Agagite. The Jewish historian Josephus says that he was related to King Agag of the Amalekites. The Amalekites attacked Israel from behind after they had left Egypt, so Israel made war against them. This was the time that Moses stood on top of the mountain and lifted his hands before the LORD. Aaron and Hur supported Moses’ arms because as long as they were raised, Israel prevailed. After the battle, the LORD said to Moses:

“Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.” (Exodus 17:14, NKJV)

The LORD declared a perpetual war on the Amalekites and later ordered Saul to wipe them out. This was probably the reason why Mordecai refused to bow down to Haman. But this act of civil disobedience would have enormous consequences. Haman became so incensed at Mordecai that he devised an evil plot to exterminate all Jews throughout the Persian Empire! He cast Pur (the lot) to determine the day, and it fell on the month of Adar, which was eleven months later (March 7).

There is a time to resist. The Bible tells us to resist the devil, and he will flee from us (James 4:7). We must also resist temptation.

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13, ESV)

If we refuse to bow to evil (even when everyone else is doing it) then we will likely suffer persecution. (Remember what happened to Daniel’s three friends when they refused to bow down to the gold image that King Nebuchadnezzar set up? [Daniel 3]) But it is better to stand firm and be persecuted with the righteous than to yield to temptation and fall with the wicked.

“Heavenly Father, thank you that the Holy Spirit dwells in us and that He is greater than the one who is in the world. Help us recognize temptation when it comes and resist it. Help us to take the way of escape that you provide, even if it means suffering. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.”