MARCH 14

Esther 3:1-6

HAMAN MEETS MORDECAI

We are introduced to Haman just as he is promoted. King Ahasuerus promoted him to a very high position which was above all the princes of the empire. In fact, Haman was given such authority that the king commanded his servants who sat in the king’s gate to bow to Haman. This was not a mutual polite bow (like the Japanese do), but a bowing down that was equivalent to worship. Should we do that even today? No!

Mordecai would not bow down to Haman. The Jews knew that God alone must be worshipped. The king’s servants asked Mordecai to follow the commandment and bow. They pestered him about it everyday. But Mordecai would not listen to them. He told them that the reason was because he was a Jew.

Mordecai was obeying the 2nd commandment (see Exodus 20:4-5). We are not to bow down in worship to anyone or anything, but our Creator God. Dear friend, when others pressure you daily to disobey God, how do you respond? Be like Mordecai who did not succumb. He knew His God and would not bow down to any other. You must know your God personally too. They may taunt you daily, but if you daily draw strength from God by praying and reading the Bible, you will not be led astray.

The king’s servants reported Mordecai to Haman, to see if it was true that being a Jew could excuse him from bowing down to Haman. What was Haman’s response? A burning intense anger consumed him. How he hated Mordecai and even all the Jews! Haman was a proud man. He couldn’t accept that Mordecai refused to bow to him. Haman decided to plot the destruction of Mordecai and the Jews. See how dangerous pride is! Let us also check ourselves if we harbour any pride in us.

Commit these areas to the Lord, ask Him help you live it out!
   •        To resist peer pressure to sin against God
   •        To be humble and not have a high opinion of myself
   •        To dare to be di erent from friends who may want to teach
             you wrong things

Thought: " Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." Psalm 119:11
Prayer: Father in Heaven, I pray that You will help me be steadfast in the faith and to humbly walk close to You everyday. In Jesus’ name, Amen.