Esther 3: Let's Wash Away the Old Grudge
Esther 3: Let's Wash Away the Old Grudge
2. All the king's officials at the king's gate knelt down and paid honor to Haman, for the king had commanded this concerning him. But Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor.
3. Then the royal officials at the king's gate asked Mordecai, "Why do you disobey the king's command?"
4. Day after day they spoke to him but he refused to comply. Therefore, they told Haman about it to see whether Mordecai's behavior would be tolerated, for he had told them he was a Jew.
A new character, Haman the Agagite, emerges to drive the story of Esther forward. He is a man who enjoys the king's deep favor. The king trusted him so much that he commanded all his officials to bow down to Haman. Yet, while all the officials bowed down to Haman, there was one man who did not - Mordecai, Esther's cousin.
Many people worried and urged Mordecai to bow down to Haman, but Mordecai refused to listen to their advice. He said he could not bow down to Haman because he was a Jew. It was not because he refused to bow down or kneel before a king or a high-ranking person, as that was not considered idolatry (1 Samuel 24:8; 25:23; 1 Kings 1:31; 2 Kings 1:13).
So why did Mordecai refuse to bow down to Haman the Agagite, even at the risk of his life? According to 1 Samuel 15:8, Agag was the king of the Amalekites. God had commanded Saul to completely destroy the Amalekites. Mordecai was a descendant of the tribe of Benjamin, the same tribe as Saul. It seems Mordecai could not bring himself to bow down to Haman, who was a descendant of the Amalekites, the very people God had commanded to be completely destroyed.
The unfolding story will reveal Haman's hatred and plot to annihilate the Jewish people. In the fierce battle between Mordecai and Esther, who seek to save their people, we can discern the author's intention.
The conflict between Mordecai and Haman appears to be a replay of the ancient war between the Amalekites and Israel under Saul. Even after hundreds of years, the battle of the ancestors continues to bring bloodshed and slaughter to their descendants. Without true repentance and reconciliation, conflict and war can always resurface.
♧ Gracious and righteous God, may peace prevail on the earth You have created. May a history of apology, forgiveness, and reconciliation unfold. Holy Spirit, empower and embolden us. Amen.