The Day The Letter Came
Esther 3
Esther 3
Things changed when Haman was promoted to "Top Prince" of the land. In fact, the
subservience of men and there devotions were focused primarily upon this man who
had the king's blessings. All of the kings SERVANTS were COMMANDED to bow before
Haman and pay him tribute and homage because of his position (Esther 3:2).
Although it may appear without propriety to capitalize the words, "servant" and
"commanded," it is important to notice that these terms play a significant role
in understanding the issue of this revelation. Mordecai would not bow down and
pay homage to Haman for specific reasons. First, he WAS NOT A SERVANT of the
king and he was not obligated to obey CIVIL COMMANDS that would undermine and
destroy his relationship with the God of heaven. Mordecai refused to compromise
the priority to be a servant of God as God had commanded. We see this
illustrated in a number of places in the inspired record. When Daniel was
kidnapped and taken to Babylon, he refused to eat the portions of the kings meat
that was given to him. He refused to stop praying and worshiping the living God.
And he did not stand for truth in a closet. Instead, as he had always done, he
knelt before his window. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to bow down to
the idol gods of the land. They refused to compromise the expectations of God.
This infuriated Nebuchadnezzar, but it did not change the hearts of the
faithful. In the text of our current study, the servants of the king threatened
Mordecai daily with the consequence of civil violation, and eventually tattled
to Haman. With knowledge of this, the kings highest prince was enraged with
wrath and anger because Mordecai would not bow before him and render him
acknowledgment. Mordecai's decision would not only effect himself, but it would
effect every servant of God that lived in the land.
Haman's thugs cast lots to distinguish which day the first holocaust would be.
It fell on the thirteenth day of Adar and the unchangeable decree was written.
Haman's office sent out letters to every Jewish household clearly explaining
their demise and temporary lives. Everyone would die because Mordecai would not
bow to Haman. - Do you think it is highly possible that Mordecai was confronted
by some of his brethren that maybe he had made a rash decision and probably
needed to think it through a little more? Do you think maybe someone could have
suggested that he apologize to Haman and maybe these things would not come
about? The fourth chapter describes all of Israel mourning over the news.
Mordecai dressed himself in sackcloth and ashes, but he did not waver one inch
from the standard of right. Yes, his brethren were effected by this, but the
consequence of rejecting God or compromising the principles of God's will would
certainly propagate a greater punishment than that which they were facing.
I like the rendering of the NKJV in Esther 3:14, where it reads, "A copy of the
document was to be issued as law in every province being published for all
people that they should be ready for that day". I wonder if the people of God
became more fervent in prayer the day the letter came. I wonder if the songs
lifted to heaven in praise to his name were attended to more seriously than they
had been before. I wonder if the people of God attended to the law and viewed
its teachings more closely. I wonder if their attitudes toward each other was
closer knit than it had been the days before. And I wonder if the 13th day of
Adar had fallen on the day they were to enter into the place of worship, would
every one have shown up, or would there have been some who conveniently were
unable to attend on that day. Would they seek places to hide? Would they try to
make apologies for Mordecai and for being associated with such a shallow and
retro-traditional thinker?
I wonder what would happen if a letter like that came today.
By Tony Ripley
From Expository Files 8.3; March 2001
