Esther 3:1 says, After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him. After the plot to overthrow Ahasuerus was defeated, Haman and not Mordecai was promoted to a position as the king's favorite and second in command. At times, people are put in positions of power today because the one in power prefers them and not necessarily because they are the best person for the position.
Verse two adds, And all the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence. Those servants at the king’s gate all bowed and gave reverence to Haman in accordance with the king’s command, with one exception. Mordecai did not do this. Some people still bow at least figuratively and give reverence to those in power today, but we as followers of Christ can never do this even if the government were to require it.
Verse three continues, Then the king's servants, which were in the king's gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king's commandment? The other servants at the gate asked Mordecai why he disobeyed the king’s commandment. Those who obey any law that goes against God’s word today may ask why we as Christians do not follow that law. We are to obey the government unless what the government require goes against God's Law, but if it does, then we must disobey it.
Verse four states, Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew. When Mordecai continued to refuse to obey the decree to bow down to Haman, the other servants at the gate reported him to Haman. Those who do follow leaders no matter what may want to become more favorable to him by reporting those who do not. Mordecai said he did not bow to Haman because he was a Jew, and it would have been against God’s commandments to do so. We need to identify ourselves as followers of Christ if we are and refuse to obey any law that goes against His commandments.
Verse five adds, And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath. Haman may not have noticed before that Mordecai was not bowing in reverence to him, but after it was brought to his attention, he did. Then, he was filled with anger toward Mordecai. Those who are placed in power may allow that power to lead them to believe that other people should always acknowledge them as being worthy of praise and be angry when someone refuses to give them the honor them with that praise. No matter how powerful a person is in the world today, they are no better in God’s sight than anyone else, and we as Christians should not treat them as if they are.
Verse six continues, And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai. Haman wasn’t satisfied with just wanting to kill Mordecai, but he wanted to kill all the Jews as well, I think because he thought that they would be like Mordecai and not bow down to him. There are still people in power throughout the world today who would like to destroy all Christians and not just Christian leaders. If we are to be faithful to Jesus Christ, we should be included in those that the world wants to destroy because of our believe in Him. We should never even give the appearance of not obeying God’s commandments just to have safety in this world, and we certainly should not bow down to any person in power.
No comments:
Post a Comment