Mordecai’s Resolve, Haman’s Pride, King Ahasuerus’ Ignorance

(Encouraged reading: Esther 3)

v. 1-4 Mordecai’s Resolve

Haman was the king’s highly honored and praised right-hand man. However, Jewish law forbid worship of anyone except the Lord (Exodus 20), so Mordecai resolved not to bow down to Haman, even when told by the king’s servants. Mordecai did not waver in his conviction or obedience to God’s law.

v. 5-9 Haman’s Pride

Haman surpassed the princes in rank and had a voice of influence over King Ahasuerus and the kingdom. Haman’s ego grew as the whole province worshipped him, but still he let the one man who didn’t get under his skin. Instead of letting go of his broken pride he fueled it with a plan to not only kill Mordecai but to annihilate his whole race!

v. 10-15 King Ahasuerus’ Ignorance

When the king was given the proposition, he immediately took off his signet ring and gave it to Haman. In those times a signet ring was used as a signature; it was used to make a decree official. The ring was stamped into hot wax leaving a unique impression on a paper. Evidently, the king trusted Haman enough to write up the decree and seal it with his own ring, as though it came directly from him. After the decree was sent out to all the provinces King Ahasuerus and Haman sat down and drank as if nothing had happened, while the city of Shushan was perplexed.

Application:

We should each be brave like Mordecai to stand up for what is right, even if alone. We must examine our hearts daily to see if we are faithfully following God’s law/Word. Pride can cause so much destruction if left unchecked, so ask the Lord to search your heart and reveal any pride. We must also ask God for discernment, so we do not trust the wrong people; surrounding ourselves with bad company/influence is destructive.

Prayer:

Lord, I pray that we would have strong godly convictions like Mordecai in these challenging times filled with peer pressure. I pray we allow You to uproot pride and anger from our lives before it consumes us. Please, help us to be careful with who we trust and what we trust them with.