Mordecai Bowed Not
Today’s Verse:
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. ~Esther 3:2
We are seeing many new laws being passed and many others being proposed that strongly conflict with biblical values. Under Covid-19, the government has aggressively overreached into the freedom of worship and has mandated the shutdown of congregational worship and singing and has imposed size limitations on congregations. Laws have been passed that force Christian to accept lifestyle choices and standards that directly conflict with God’s Word. The state is telling us, “Bow, or you will be punished." What does a Christian do? This morning, let us see a believer who would not bow.
We see a confirmation.
“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." Haman was a descendant of the Amalekites, an ancient enemy of the Jews. This man rose to great prominence in the Persian kingdom. When Haman received his confirmation, he was granted the prominence of a leader to whom the people had to bow and give reverence. We must remember that political leaders and laws that are passed require all citizens to obey and revere. We must be proactive in the election of leaders and laws, or else we will find ourselves having to be in submission to people and laws that conflict with our beliefs.
We see the conceited.
Haman was a very proud and conceited man. The word reverence means “worship.” The devil wants to force God’s people to bow and worship leaders and laws that push his anti-God agenda. Haman did not take it lightly if he was not revered. He was filled with wrath when he heard that Mordecai would not bow or reverence him.
We see the conviction.
Mordecai was a godly believer. Even though his peers bowed and worshipped Haman, Mordecai would not. He would not worship man, money, or any form of materialism. He had conviction to stand for God. He had conviction to stand alone. He had conviction to stand against all forms of evil. He had conviction to stand against peer pressure. His peers bowed, but he would not. "Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence." It is important that you have convictions about what you will not bow to.
We see the consequence.
“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.” There is a consequence when you do not bow to the pressures of the world. Mordecai would ruin his career. He would lose favor with high-ranking officials. He would lose his good-paying job and all financial security. There is a price to pay when you do not bow and worship the Hamans of this life.
We see the continuance.
In the end, Mordecai was vindicated and prevailed. He would not bow, nor do him reverence. The encouragement for us today is that we remain steadfast and do not bow or do reverence to the Hamans of the world. Say like Paul, “None of these things move me.”
Have a courageous God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Luke 6-7