"MORDECAI'S METTLE!"
Written and preached by David P. Nolte
ESTHER 3:1-5
We have probably all been in some situation where the choice was to
speak up for what we believe or to compromise our convictions. We have
all been hard pressed to hold steadfastly or to go along with the crowd.
From time to time we are all put on the spot and must either stand for
what is right or fall for what is wrong. That is a defining moment. It
tells what we are made of; it tells what we are really like. It was that
kind of defining moment for a young man who was told by his employers to
make a false statement which would illicitly profit them by many thousands
of dollars. It all depended upon the cooperation of this young man. He
would just need to do what he was told. To the frustration of his employers,
the young man refused to go along with their illegal plan. He would not
be induced, cajoled, bribed or forced to compromise his Christian faith.
Neither fear nor favor would move him from his resolve. He truly showed
his mettle in that trial. So it was with Mordecai. Ahasuerus had commanded
that his princes and people bow down in homage to Haman. But Mordecai refused.
"Pay homage to this mortal? This heathen? Never in a thousand years!" That
would amount to a form of idolatry or worship and Mordecai knew that he
was to worship the Lord God and serve Him only. He would not compromise;
and in taking that stand he truly showed his mettle.
MORDECAI REFUSED TO COMPROMISE
HIS FAITH: V2:
It was not a matter of just being stubborn. It was not merely ignoring
the king's command. It was a matter of faith!
The word for homage means "to worship" or "give reverence." No God fearing
person could worship or revere another human being. Mordecai would render
to God alone worship and reverence.
Ahasuerus had given undue honor to Haman. He had given him the prerogative
belonging only to the Divine. But monarchs have often commanded blasphemous
worship which would compromise the faith of any God fearer:
By command of Pharaoh, Egyptians worshiped all sorts of false gods: cats,
frogs, heavenly bodies and so on.
By royal degree Babylonians were to worship Nebuchadnezzar's 90 foot tall
golden idol.
By imperial edict, Roman citizens were to declare that Caesar is god and
were to venerate him in worship.
Mordecai recalled that only God is to be worshiped and given homage. He
never compromised on that. The Bible is clear:
Exodus 20:3 (NASB)
"You shall have no other gods before Me."
Exodus 34:14 (NASB)
"For you shall not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous,
is a jealous God."
Psalms 97:7 (NASB)
"Let all those be ashamed who serve graven images, Who boast themselves
of idols; Worship Him, all you gods."
Matthew 4:10 (NASB)
"Then Jesus said to him, 'Begone, Satan! For it is written, "YOU SHALL
WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY."'"
May we as staunchly refuse to compromise our Christian faith by bowing
at any altar other than that of the Living God! Let's refuse to bow at
the altar of:
Immoral sexual gratification.
Money and materialism.
Power and position.
Creature comfort.
Amusements, athletics and other activities which dominate our time and
rob God.
Self righteous arrogance and pride.
The young man refused to compromise his faith by performing an illegal
act. He was summarily fired. He applied for work at another establishment
and was asked for references. He said that he'd been fired from his former
place of employment, but they were welcome to inquire there. He frankly
told them he had been required to do certain things which did not align
with his convictions and had displeased his former employer. He believed
that he had to please God rather than his employer. How like Mordecai.
He did not refuse to honor Haman out of spite or personal animosity. But
he would not offend his God no matter who else he offended.
MORDECAI SOUGHT TO PLEASE GOD:
V4:
He was a Jew; a monotheist; a servant of One God and One God only! His
refusal to venerate Haman was based on his desire to please God.
If it is possible to please men and please God at the same time, that is
the advisable thing to do. But if it is impossible to please both man and
God, there is no option; it's a "no-brainer!" Please God!
How do we do that? How do we please God?
Well, it's not by actions alone. It is possible to do the right actions
for the wrong reasons.
It is not by religion alone. It is possible to be religious and wrong.
We please God by faith: belief, trust and obedience. Without faith it is
impossible to please God.
We please God by faithfulness: unswerving commitment to Him, to His ways
and His kingdom.
We please God by putting Jesus Christ first as Lord in our lives.
We please God by setting our minds and hearts on eternal things over temporal
things.
Paul is a prime example of a God pleaser; hear him on the matter:
Galatians 1:10 (NASB)
"For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to
please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant
of Christ."
Colossians 1:9, 10 (NASB)
"For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased
to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of
His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk
in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing
fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;"
1 Thessalonians 4:1 (NASB)
"Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that,
as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please
God (just as you actually do walk), that you may excel still more."
The young man wanted above all else to please God. He got fired for his
efforts! Yet when he told his prospective employer to call for a reference
the tentative employer was impressed enough to do just that. He got a strange
reply: "The young man is just too conscientious over trifles!" Since this
new employer was not troubled by anyone who would be conscientious over
trifles, he hired the young man on the spot. Mordecai was that scrupulous
in the conduct of his life, too. He paid attention to, and was conscientious
in, the minutia of daily living.
MORDECAI WAS CONSCIENTIOUS IN LITTLE THINGS: V5:
One might reason, "It's such a small thing to bow down to Haman and avert
his wrath. Why not just do it? You don't have to mean it! Just fake it!
It's no big deal really!" But to Mordecai being conscientious in little
things was a big thing.
Jesus, too, makes a point about being faithful in little things. Luke
16:10 (NASB) "He who is faithful in a very little thing
is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing
is unrighteous also in much." So, what are some of the little things about
which we ought to be faithful and conscientious?
Our thought life: We may rationalize that little sensuous daydream, but
Jesus calls it adultery; we may harbor a little resentment and nurture
a little hate, but Jesus calls it murder in our heart.
Our speech life: We may utter a little slander, a little lie, a little
curse, a little dirty joke; Jesus says we will be justified or condemned
by our words.
Our ethics: how honest are we? Is our integrity intact?
Our morals: Are we in line with purity and honor?
Our possessions: Do we own or are we owned by our possessions?
Our vocation: do we truly give a full day's work for a day's pay?
Our church: are we faithful, or hit and miss? Are we committed or are we
consumer Christians always looking for a better deal somewhere else?
Though it might have seemed a little thing to bow to Haman, Mordecai refused
to violate his faith or vitiate his conscience even in small things.
Conscientious people may not always succeed as the world notes success;
but conscientious Christians are always successful in God's eyes.
God has a way of making things right. In years to come, the young man rose
in position and finally became a full partner in the establishment. Haman
got hanged on his own gallows. Mordecai was elevated in the kingdom. The
young man and Mordecai found it true: "Humble yourselves in the presence
of the Lord, and He will exalt you." James
4:10 (NASB). Mordecai stood tall before Ahasuerus because
he lowered himself before God. The world says, "Worship me! Honor me! Bow
to me!" There are many competitors vying for first place in your life.
Jesus stands among them asking for your affection, your allegiance, your
faith. Something will be Lord in your life: Jesus or something else. Ultimately
every knee will bow before Jesus: the atheist, the secularist, the cultist,
Bin Laden, but unless they bow the knee willingly in this life, it will
be too late. Those who choose to honor Christ through faith will be granted
forgiveness of sin, reconciliation to God, and eternal life. Honor Him
today. Confess your faith; be baptized; continue to live for Him alone.
Bow before no Haman; bow before Jesus who is Lord of all.