Mordecai's Refusal to Bow Esther 3:2 - Equipped for Battle

As we began this chapter we noted that King Ahasuerus promoted Haman the Agagite and set his seat above all the princes who were with him. In chapter three and verse two we see that this honor came with a specific directive from the king which Mordecai would not obey. We read:

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.

The verse begins, “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.” Honor and promotion usually comes with respect, however in this case the idea was to bow down and prostrate oneself in homage and worship like as unto a god. All of the king's other servants seemed to have no problem doing this because the king “commanded” or charged the servants to do so, but we shall see that this was not the case with Mordecai.

The verse continues, “But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence.” Mordecai refused to bow down to Haman, and he would not worship him as the king commanded. This must have been quite the display as all of the other servants were bowing to Haman and Mordecai would not do so. If we use our imaginations just a little we might see Haman approaching the area where all the servants of the king were gathered at the king's gate. All of the servants bow as he enters their presence, but Mordecai continues to stand. Let's just say that Mordecai stood out in the crowd. All were bowing except him, and all were giving Haman worship and honor, but Mordecai would not do so.

Now upon first glance we might think that Mordecai was a rebellious foe to Haman, and there wasn't anything that really prevented him from bowing like the others. However, we should consider that Haman had Godly, moral fiber that would not allow him to worship any other God than God Himself. The fact that the command came from King Ahasuerus made no difference to Mordecai. Mordecai was dedicated to God, and God Almighty would be the only one Mordecai would worship. Peer pressure, king pressure, and no other pressure would move Mordecai from his position. No matter what the consequences, Mordecai would not bow to Haman.

If we were in Mordecai's position, would we bow? Would we reverence people or laws that were promoted just because they were given positions by the governing authorities? What if those rules went directly against the law of God? Would we bow, give in, give worship and honor to that which is against God? It is quite easy to imagine Mordecai standing while others were bowing, however, where we will stand no matter what the consequences when it opposes God and His way of doing things? May our time of meditation upon these things lead us to bow before God Almighty and his ways alone, and may He bless us for doing so.

Next time we will see Mordecai questioned for his refusal, 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.