Today, we continue our study in the Book of Esther with our daily devotion on chapter 3. Here, Mordecai faces a life-threatening challenge for standing up for his beliefs by refusing to bow to Haman. This defiance sparks one of the most serious threats against the Jewish people in history. As we examine this chapter, we are reminded of the weight of our convictions. How strong are your beliefs when they are put to the test? Please reflect on what it means to stand firm in your faith, even when it may cost you dearly. The read about how Esther became Queen, read the daily devotional on Esther 2.
Esther 3 Commentary by Allen J. Huth
Today, we continue our study in the Book of Esther. Mordecai is challenged but stands for what he believes. It may cost him his life. How strong are your beliefs? Please read or listen to Esther 3.
What Is the Story of Haman in the Book of Esther?
To break down this chapter, we go to some of my journal entries. In 1997, I wrote, “Mordecai would not bow down to Haman. He stood up for his beliefs causing Haman to get the king’s permission to destroy all Jews. Mordecai also publicly protested with sackcloth and ashes right in the king’s gate.”
What Was Haman’s Role in Esther?
In 2007, I wrote, “Why did Haman hate Jews? Because Mordecai would not bow down nor pay homage to him. His ancestry were enemies of the Jews. He was an Amalekite. Jews look to God as their authority, not men, ‘their laws are different from those of all other people’ (v. 8 NASB). Jews are God’s chosen people. And today people hate Jews. Why? Well, some of the same reasons.”
What Did Mordecai Do to Haman?
In 2017, I expanded on those thoughts from ten and twenty years ago when I wrote, “Why wouldn’t Mordecai bow down to Haman? It was the law of the land. Because he was a Jew. Because of who he was, he could not adhere to the law of the land. Maybe because Haman was an Agagite, an ancient enemy of Israel. King Agag was defeated by Saul and killed by Samuel, the prophet. And Mordecai may have known his own history enough that, as a Jew, he wouldn’t bow to an enemy. Or Haman may have been claiming some kind of divine status that a Jew would not recognize, like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego would not bow down to the king’s idol either. It was because he was a Jew, his identity, he wouldn’t do it. So why do people seem to always hate and want to wipe out the Jews? Notice would be sent that on one day all the Jews would be murdered.”
Esther 3 is one of the most serious threats to Jews in all of history. Sure, we might be reminded of the Holocaust of Jews in World War II, but this incident in Esther is the prototype to that. Haman is so mad at Mordecai he wants to get rid of him and all like him. As the right-hand man of the king, he has the power to get it done, and the ear of the king to layout his plan and get the king’s approval. Letters are sent across the kingdom. All Jews will be killed on a specific date set in the future.
Why Do People Stand Up for Their Beliefs?
Have you ever had to stand for what you believe at work or in your family? Were you willing to do it, or did you bow to the pressure? How strong are your beliefs? Can you stand against the cultural pressure? Can you stand against the ungodly law of the land like Mordecai, or Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? As Christians look around today, we see it is not going to get any easier. The question is, how firm are your beliefs when the pressure comes your way?
Prayer
Father, help me take stock of my own beliefs and how firm my foundation is. Am I willing to stand for You? And Lord, forgive us for discriminating against people groups, Jews, Muslims, or any other kind of people group. Father forgive us. It is not godly behavior to discriminate against a whole people group. Strengthen me, Lord, to stand firm in my beliefs and express love to those around me who may be different from me. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
