Mordecai Part V

 ATTRIBUTE #5 = Man who BOWED NOT

Esther 3:2 “And all the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, bowed (kāraʿ = kneel in reverence), and reverenced (šāḥâ = to bow down before a superior in homage, to bow before God in worship, to bow before false gods) Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed (kāraʿ) not, nor did him reverence (šāḥâ).”

Mordecai knew who to give honor & reverence to and it wasn't Haman, who was infuriated & talked the king into issuing a decree to destroy the Jews.

QUESTION:

- Why did Mordecai “honor” the king but not Haman

ANSWER(S):

- Haman was an Amelakite, they were enemies of the Jews

- Haman wanted what amounted to 'worship' & Mordecai refused

DISCUSS:

How does the verse “Give honor where honor where is due…” fit into all this?

PRACTICAL APPLICATION:

- We DO NOT BOW to our enemy/enemies in any way, shape, form or area!

- We DO NOT GIVE worship to anyone but God the Father & God the Son

- We DO NOT GIVE the enemy anything but hell

Ephesians 4:26 – 27

“Be angry, and do not sin': do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give (didōmi = to grant, let have) place (topos = opportunity, power) to the devil”

This is a great verse, look at the Greek words used here = grant/opportunity or have/power, to the enemy.

DISCUSS:

- How do we practically apply this verse in our Christian walk?

Ephesians 6:11

“Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand (histēmi = to stand in the presence of others, to cause a person or a thing to keep his place) against the wiles (methodeia = deceit, craft, trickery) of the devil.”

Ephesians 6:13

“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand (histēmi)”

These Ephesian verses deal w/ us as Christians standing, keeping our place & not bowing to the enemy nor giving him any place in any area of our lives, not bowing to them (much like the example of Mordecai 2500 years ago).