Mordecai has refused to obey
the command given by King Ahasuerus to bow and give honor to Haman
the Agagite whom he has promoted. Even though Haman's peers have
tried to persuade him, Mordecai will not bow. Because Mordecai is a
Jew, he will honor none other than God Himself, and no matter the
consequences, he will only give homage to Him. In chapter three and
verse five we see the reaction of Haman once he is told about
Mordecai heritage and insubordination. We read:
And when Haman saw that
Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of
wrath.
Let's
notice first, “And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not nor
did him reverence,...” After he was informed about Mordecai,
Haman noticed his refusal to bow with his own eyes - “Haman
saw”. It is as if he really wasn't paying any particular
attention to Mordecai at first, but now that he has been informed
about him, he is looking for Mordecai's rebellion. He “saw”
that he wasn't bowing, and he “saw” that he was not giving him
reverence which means “to prostrate oneself in worship” that he
believed himself worthy. We can only imagine the alteration in
Haman's visage as he observed Mordecai's behavior.
Our
verse continues, “then was Haman full of wrath.”
Haman was filled with “heat, rage, hot displeasure,
indignation, anger, wrath, or poison” when he saw Mordecai's lack
of worship toward him. Generally anger occurs when a person does not
get his or her way, and the result of that anger is a manifestation
of behavior that demonstrates the anger within. Not only did Haman's
countenance change, but his entire behavior was overcome by the lack
of worship from Mordecai.
As we try to imagine this
scene, let us keep in mind that there is a Sovereign God continuing
to work His plan through all these events. Though each one of them
may seem insignificant upon their own, there is a Divine weaving
occurring in every moment. It was necessary for Haman be promoted,
and it was necessary for King Ahasuerus to command everyone to
worship him. It also was important for Mordecai to make his stand and
not bow before Haman, and even the anger of Haman will be used as our
story continues. As we consider these things, how many events in our
lives whether they concern edicts, commands, reactions or emotions is
the Almighty using in our lives to keep us in relationship and
fellowship with Him? We may never know all the wonderful nuances and
ways that unbeknown to us are being fashioned into our personal story
and God's Divine tapestry.
Next time we will see Haman's decision
to destroy all the Jews, so read ahead, and we shall join together
then.
Until
tomorrow...there is more...
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation” and the new marriage book “So, You Want
to Be Married” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ;
www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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