1 October 2023 AM – Text: Esther 3 – Topic: Convictions – Series: Est23
Introduction: King Ahasuerus deposed of his queen, Vashti (Est 1). The beautiful, young, Jewess, Esther was crowned queen in the king’s 7th year (2:16). Two men plotting to assassinate the king were executed (2:21-23). Then, four years later, Esther 3 begins, “After these things”, introducing us to the evil plot of the entire book.
Charles R. Swindoll notes, That’s the way it is in life. The big events in our lives, the major turning points, don’t begin with a bold, ear-splitting announcement from heaven, “Today will bring trouble—bad trouble!” No, those days begin like every other morning. You have no idea it’s coming. And out of the blue it strikes! Esther A Woman of Strength and Dignity, quoted by Precept Austin
Big trouble is about to begin. The king promoted a prince named Haman to a position above all the princes. His promotion goes to his head, and Haman struts around like a peacock. Everyone bowed to Haman, everyone that is, except Mordecai the Jew. The king’s servants questioned Mordecai on his refusal, and he said it was because he was a Jew (v.3-4). Mordecai’s refusal to bow to Haman irritated him (v.5-6). Thus, Haman plotted to destroy every Jew in the entire kingdom (which included the land of Israel). Verse 7 is a strange insertion. Casting Pur was like casting dice. They cast lots for every day of the coming year to find the right day to implement Haman’s plot. “This casting of lots to determine a lucky day on which to do something was a common practice in oriental kingdoms.” Ray Stedman Providentially, God caused the lot to fall on the 13th day of the last month (nearly 12 months away). Haman subtly petitioned the king to allow him to destroy a rebellious people in his kingdom (v.8-9). Because the king lacked prudence and foolishly trusted Haman, he agreed (v.10-11). The decree was written, sealed with the king’s ring (v.12-13), and speedily sent to the 127 provinces of the kingdom (v.14-15). Haman was pleased, but the city Shushan was perplexed (v.15).
This morning, we are going to focus our attention on Mordecai. He was a man of courage who stood for his convictions.
Transition: God wants you and me to have courage to stand for convictions. As we examine Esther 3, I will point out three facts about Mordecai’s convictions that ought to increase our courage to stand for convictions.
The 1st fact that ought to increase our courage to stand for convictions is that …
1. Mordecai had settled convictions in his heart.
a. As a God-fearing Jew, he would only bow to God.
1) He clearly knew what his convictions were.
2) Why did Mordecai refuse to bow to Haman? We do not know for positive, but here are some likely reasons.
a) Haman was an Agagite (another name for an Amalekite, the Jew’s enemies that King Saul was to have utterly destroyed, 1Sa 15).
b) Mordecai likely would not have refused a simple token of civil respect. However, Persian kings demanded a sort of adoration and the king passed this on to Haman.
3) Mordecai’s convictions were not just preferences. They were principles that he held very tightly. Some claim that convictions are things you will die for. Yes, some are, but I am not sure that convictions are limited to that.
b. We, too, ought to have some settled convictions.
1) As children of God, you and I ought to have several settled convictions on which we will not budge. By settled, I mean, these are Bible principles you believe God does NOT want you to forsake. Let me give you a few examples to get you thinking.
a) The Bible is God’s Word, and it is superior to every other religious book.
b) Jesus Christ is God, the second person of the Trinity.
c) Jesus bled, died, and rose bodily for our sins.
d) Only repentance and faith in Christ’s atonement can save us from eternal judgment in the Lake of Fire.
e) God created all things in six 24-hour days about 6,000 years ago.
f) We must not deny our faith in Christ by word, deed or implication.
g) Every day, God wants us to study the Bible to feed our souls and to pray to fellowship with Him.
h) Marriage is for life, and divorce is wrong.
i) The Christian’s body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and must be treated as such.
2) These are some of the primary convictions that we ought to hold, but there are many more.
The 2nd fact that ought to increase our courage to stand for convictions is that …
2. Mordecai stood firmly for his convictions.
a. When confronted, he stood firmly (v.3-4).
1) Mordecai sat in the king’s gate. “In the ancient orient, the gates of a city were the place where commercial and judicial matters were transacted. Mordecai’s presence at the king’s gate supports the premise that he held a position of esteem, possibly in the judicial system.” Precept Austin
2) Mordecai left us a great example to follow. He bowed not, nor did Haman reverence (v.2).
3) When questioned by the king’s servants, Mordecai stood firmly (v.3-4).
4) When Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, he was greatly angered (v.5). He was not satisfied to lay hands on Mordecai alone; he wanted to kill every Jew (v.6). It seems likely that Mordecai’s position of service in the king’s gate made it awkward for Haman to single him out for punishment.
b. We, too, ought to stand firmly for our convictions.
1) Standing firmly for convictions takes courage. It is not easy. Calling the Bible your authority at church is easy, but when the boss asks you to disobey the Bible, it’s tough. It is not easy to stand for a literal creation in a University class. Holding that marriage is for life is challenged when your spouse is unreasonable.
2) Several scriptures urge us to stand fast in the faith.
a) (1 Corinthians 15:58) “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.“
b) (1 Corinthians 16:13) “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.“
c) (2 Thessalonians 2:15) “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.“
The 3rd fact that ought to increase our courage to stand for convictions is that …
3. Mordecai faced persecution for his convictions.
a. Haman sought to exterminate the Jews.
1) He plotted to kill every Jew on earth. This was serious persecution. Mordecai’s stand would now cost him his life.
2) Other Bible examples of persecution for taking a stand include Joseph [wife], Elijah [Jezebel], Shadrach [fire], Daniel [lions], etc.
b. We, too, must expect persecution if we stand.
1) Through the centuries since the time of Christ, millions of Christians have faced persecution for their faith.
2) During the Dark Ages (400-1600 AD) an estimated 50,000,000 Christians were martyred for their faith.
3) Today, in many countries, Christians are suffering and even dying for their faith in Christ.
4) Paul tells us in 2Timothy 3:3 that in the last days, people will “despise those that are good.” If you take a stand for your convictions, you can expect persecution of some sort from relatives, workmates, friends, classmates, and others. God’s challenge for us is to courageously stand for our convictions.
Conclusion: If you are a Christian, have you made a mental list of your convictions? If not, you need to prayerfully do so. Then determine to stand firmly for them. Be prepared to face opposition and even persecution. Stay close to the Lord and gain strength through Him.
If you cannot look back to a time that you repented of your sins and asked Christ to save your soul from hell, you are not yet a Christian. That is your greatest need today.
