For Such a Time as This: A Time to Kill
Esther 2:19:3:15
Jefferson M. Williams
Chenoa Baptist Church
8-16-2020
The Final Solution
On January 20, 1942, 15 high ranking Nazi and German government officials met at a villa in the Berlin suburb of Wannsee to coordinate the implementation of what came to be known as the “Final Solution to the Jewish Question.”
With cold precision, each organization shared how they planned to commit genocide.
Hitler had ordered it. The SS stood ready. In this short meeting, these men decided the fate of 11 million Jews.
Then they went for cocktails with no guilt or shame over their decision. Of course, it had to be done.
This morning, we are going to witness another such meeting that happened 2,500 years earlier in which two men decided the fate of millions of Jewish men, women, and children and then went and had a few beers together.
An Orphan Crowned Queen
Last week, we studied most of Esther 2 and watched in horror as young women from all over the empire were kidnapped, help captive, and one by one raped by the King.
This was not some “Miss Persia” contest. This was “Who wants to be the sex slave of a brutal egotistical maniac?” The answer was no one.
But somehow, when the dust settled, Esther wore the crown. She had won the king’s “affection” and now sat on Vashti’s throne.
If you weren’t here last week, you can watch the sermon on our Facebook page. If you can’t be here one week, you can watch the service on Facebook live.
Let’s keep in mind our theme for this series:
“God is always doing 10,000 things in your life, and you may be aware of three of them.” - John Piper
Today, the story gets darker and more grim but, behind the scenes, God is quietly at work to bring about the deliverance of His people.
Turn with me to Esther 2 verse 21.
Prayer
Mordecai Saves The King
“During the time Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, became angry and conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. But Mordecai found out about the plot and told Queen Esther, who in turn reported it to the king, giving credit to Mordecai. And when the report was investigated and found to be true, the two officials were impaled on poles. All this was recorded in the book of the annals in the presence of the king.” (Esther 2:21-23)
After Esther was crowned queen, Mordecai had been promoted, (maybe by Esther herself), to a judicial position. He would work inside the building known as the King’s Gate, which was known as the “Gate of All Nations.”
This complex was built by Darius (Xerxes father) and was 131 feet long and 92 feet wide.
This is where our story begins with Mordecai setting at the King’s gate.
The Plot.
Two of the king’s officials who “guarded the doorway,” which meant the were the last line of security for the king plotted to assassinate the king.
Why were they angry? We don’t know. Maybe they were angry about being eunuchs. (I would be!).
For a king as paranoid as Xerxes, there was the possibility of an attempt on his life.
If fact, that’s how Xerxes actually died. In 465 BC, he was assassinated in his inner chamber by members of his royal guard.
Mordecai uncovers the plot
We are told that the “plot became known to Mordecai.” How did this happen? Did they tell him? Did he overhear their scheming? We aren’t told.
Mordecai tells the only one he trusts
Mordecai went straight to Esther with this information and Esther went straight to the king, making sure he know it was Mordecai who had uncovered the plot.
The Investigation and Punishment
An investigation was launched and found the plot to be a real and present threat to the king. In the Persian criminal just system, a trial was a waste of time. These two officials were “hanged on the gallows” and then impaled on a pole. This would serve as a visual reminder to anyone else who had thoughts of causing harm to the king.
Entered into the Record
This act of bravery on Mordecai’s part, was recorded in the official registry (the Book of the Chronicles), in the King’s presence.
Persian kings were known for greatly rewarding those like Mordecai who uncovered an assassination attempt and saved the king’s life.
But why?
Why did Mordecai save the king’s life? Remember, the king had taken his Esther, both figuratively and literally. He was a brutal tyrant who considered himself a god. Why didn’t Mordecai just say to Bigthan and Teresh, “Good for you! I’ll help you cut off his head!”
But if Xerxes dies, what happens to Esther? Is she next to be taken out? What happens to the relative peace that they are enjoying? Wouldn’t an assassination cause the empire to evolve into chaos?
We simply aren’t told why. The Hebrew of this section is very cut and dry and may be a copy of the official king’s record.
I Will Not Bow!
“After these events, King Xerxes honored Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, elevating him and giving him a seat of honor higher than that of all the other nobles. All the royal 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."
Then the royal officials at the king’s gate asked Mordecai, “Why do you disobey the king’s command?” 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.” (Esther 3:1-4)
After the assassination attempt, Xerxes knew that he needed someone to be his right-hand man, someone strong who didn’t mind being cruel if he needed to be.
Xerxes chooses Haman, the Agagite and made him vizer, which is basically like the prime minister of the Person Empire. He was second in command and represented the king.
Xerxes had commanded all the people to bow down and give Haman honor.
Now hold on! The Jewish listeners to this story would have immediately cried “unfair!” Why? Who should have received a promotion? Mordecai should have been rewarded handsomely.
Instead, Mordecai is overlooked and Haman is elevated.
By the way, has this ever happened to you? You do the best job, you go above and beyond for your boss and when promotion time comes, you get overlooked? I have. It’s not fun at all!
Mordecai’s fellow officials approached him, I think in sincere curiosity, and asked why he didn’t bow to Haman. Mordecai simply response that he is a Jew.
These “friends” of his tattle on him to Haman to see what should be done.
Why wouldn’t Mordecai bow? He didn’t seem to have any problem bowing before the king. Bowing was a common courtesy much like bowing or curtsying to the Queen today.
And why does he make his stand now? He didn’t say he was a Jew when they took Esther? But this bowing to
Haman goes to far!
There is so much going on in these verses that is right under the surface.
Last week, I reminded you that in the Old Testament when a new character is introduced what’s said about him or her is very important.
Today we meet Haman….the Agagite.
A little history lesson will make Mordecai’s actions, and later Haman’s actions make a lot more sense.
When the Israelites were delivered out of Egypt, they started into the wilderness and toward the Promised Land.
The very first people to attack the children of God were the Amalekites.
“The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.”
So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely blot out the name of Amalek from under heaven.”
Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner. He said, “Because hands were lifted up against the throne of the Lord, the Lord will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation.” (Exodus 17:8-15)
Fast forward 1,000 years and the people are now in the Promised Land:
“Samuel said to Saul, “I am the one the Lord sent to anoint you king over his people Israel; so listen now to the message from the Lord. This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘I will punish the Amalekites for what they did to Israel when they waylaid them as they came up from Egypt. Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy all that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.’” (I Samuel 15:1-3)
Saul obeyed the Lord…sort of. He did attack the Amalekites but left their king Agag alive and the best of the sheep and cattle were brought to him as well.
Samuel confronted Saul and he made some really lame excuses. Saul’s disobedience actually cost him his throne.
“Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
as much as in obeying the Lord?
To obey is better than sacrifice,
and to heed is better than the fat of rams.
For rebellion is like the sin of divination,
and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the Lord,
he has rejected you as king.” (I Sam 15:22-23)
Samuel put Agag to death and then left to go anoint a shepherd boy named David the new king.
So let’s put this all together. Haman was a Agagite, a descendant of the king of the Amalekites, the first to attack the Jews as they left Egypt. He may even been a directed descendant of Agag himself.
Mordecai is a descendant of Kish, who is the father of Saul!
Now do you get why Mordecai didn’t bow? The hatred between Jews and Amalekites went back thousands of years. This is Hatfield and McCoys on steroids!
This will also account for Haman’s over the top reaction to Mordecai’s refusal to bow to him.
Haman Plots His Revenge
When Haman saw that Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor, he was enraged. Yet having learned who Mordecai’s people were, he scorned the idea of killing only Mordecai. Instead Haman looked for a way to destroy all Mordecai’s people, the Jews, throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes.
In the twelfth year of King Xerxes, in the first month, the month of Nisan, the pur (that is, the lot) was cast in the presence of Haman to select a day and month. And the lot fell on the twelfth month, the month of Adar.” (Esther 3:5-7)
Haman’s name in Hebrew is very close to the Hebrew word for “rage” so the writer is using a play on words here.
When you have a huge ego, EVERYONE must bow. If even one doesn’t, that person must be made to suffer!
But it wasn’t enough to just kill Mordecai. No that’s thinking way too small!
Just like the Nazi’s gathered around a table in that little villa in Wannsee, he began plotting the destruction of all the Jews in the entire Persian empire!
If you remember back to the first week of this series, we looked at the first glimpse of the Gospel in the Bible:
And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers, he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” (Genesis 3:14-15)
The word “offspring” (seed) is singular. God is saying that there will come a descendant of Adam and Eve that will defeat satan once and for all (crush your head), even though satan will strike at His heels repeatedly.
This is called the “protoevangelium.” It’s the first time the Gospel is preached in the Bible. It tells of a recuse mission, driven by love, to save the human race from spiritual death.
As we watch the story unfold, there are many times we see the serpent trying to strike the heel of the people that would produce the Messiah, which ultimately would bring his downfall.
Pharaoh’s decree to kill all the Israelite male babies in Exodus 1 and Herod ordering all of the Jewish males two years or younger to be exterminated in Matthew 2 are examples of satan trying to derail God’s rescue plan.
In the middle of these two events, we see Haman conspiring to do the devil’s work to attempt to destroy the people from which would come the Savior of the world!
Haman had the “pur” cast. These were clay cubes that resemble our modern day dice. This was a form of divination and the day for the genocide was decided by the roll off the dice - 11 months from that day.
By the way, we know that:
“The lot is cast into the lap, but it's every decision is from the Lord.” (Prov 16:33)
Haman had his plan and now had a date. He just needed the king to sign off. Knowing what we have learned about Xerxes, that shouldn’t be that hard.
Haman Makes His Case to the King
“Then Haman said to King Xerxes, “There is a certain people dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom who keep themselves separate. Their customs are different from those of all other people, and they do not obey the king’s laws; it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them. If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will give ten thousand talents of silver to the king’s administrators for the royal treasury.”
So the king took his signet ring from his finger and gave it to Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews. “Keep the money,” the king said to Haman, “and do with the people as you please.” (Esther 3:8-11)
Haman is going to give the king his “elevator pitch” for this little pet project of his. His speech is a mix of half-truths and outright lies.
Notice he doesn’t tell the king who these people are. He describes them as dispersed among the peoples of the provinces. This is true.
He points out that their customs are different and they keep them self separate. This is half true. While the Jews probably did follow different customs, many of the Jews, like Mordecai and Esther had assimilated into the culture.
Then Haman goes in for the kill and says that “they don’t obey your laws.” This is a lie. A member of these people actually saved your life and…oh yeah, you’re married to one!
Haman is very good at this. He knows Xerxes well. He makes it clear that it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them. Haman knows that everything really comes down to Xerxes’ ego.
Politely, “if it pleases the king,” Haman divulges his plan - kill them all.
Haman knew that the kingdom treasuries had been depleted by the war with Greece and taking out millions residents of the empire would take away valuable tex revenue. So he offers ten thousand talents of silver. That’s 375 tons of silver. That’s 60% of the total annual tax revenue of the entire empire!
Where would he get this all this money? Haman may have been wealthy but he also was counting on all the money and property that he would get from annihilating the Jews.
Xerxes was aghast and asked, “Are you nuts? You are talking about genocide? Are you a maniac? What’s your ulterior motive? Why do you hate this people so much?”
Ha! Nope! Xerxes took off his signet ring and handed to, listen to the way that Haman is described, “Haman the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews.”
The signet ring would be used to seal the orders and to use the king’s seal was indicating that the order was directly from the palace.
Xerxes says something very interesting - Keep your money. It’s yours. And these people, I actually don’t care enough even to know who they are, they are yours as well. Do with them as you please.”
Little did he know this would mean the death of his beloved Esther as well!
What kind of leadership is that? Xerxes and Haman are both going to learn that these people are not “his to do as he pleases” but they are children of a God who is quietly working behind the scenes for their good, His glory, and a grand deliverance.
The Edict Goes Out
“Then on the thirteenth day of the first month the royal secretaries were summoned. They wrote out in the script of each province and in the language of each people all Haman’s orders to the king’s satraps, the governors of the various provinces and the nobles of the various peoples. These were written in the name of King Xerxes himself and sealed with his own ring. Dispatches were sent by couriers to all the king’s provinces with the order to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews—young and old, women and children—on a single day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, and to plunder their goods. A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued as law in every province and made known to the people of every nationality so they would be ready for that day.
The couriers went out, spurred on by the king’s command, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa. The king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was bewildered.” (Esther 3:12-15)
The scribes got busy translating and the couriers started delivering this message immediately.
The edict was delivered to the empire, and to the Jews, the day before Passover was to begin. The day when they celebrate the delivery from bondage to slavery in Egypt they get a knock on the door with a letter stating that exactly eleven months from that day, anyone and everyone were to take up arms against them and “destroy, kill, annihilate” Jewish men, women, and children, both young and old.
Would God save them again? Was God done with them? What was God up to? Why was this happening?
The Jews weren’t the only ones asking that last question. The entire city of Susa was in a state of confusion. They were perplexed, bewildered.
Why are these people who were their neighbors and friends going to be killed? And why did they have to do the killing?
And they probably said quietly to each other, “If they do this to the Jews, we might be next.”
What was Xerxes and Haman’s response to this decision? Just like the Nazi’s at Wannsee, they “sat down a few beers together.
We are going to stop there. Next week, we will reach the most famous chapter in Esther and see that she was brought to her position for “such a time as this.”
Observations
I want to ask three questions this morning?
1. How do handle disappointment Biblically?
I was sitting at Eastview waiting for my small group to arrive. There’s a little nook with a fireplace so usually arrived early and read.
But I wasn’t reading that night. I was waiting for a phone call. I had gone on an interview the week before and had been told I would be getting a call that day.
I thought I had done very well and I had known both of the people conducting the interview.
We had moved back from Florida and I needed a job. This position was with an organization literally half a block from my house. It couldn’t be more perfect.
The phone rang and I answered with expectation. She begin by telling me that I was by far the strongest candidate but they had decided to go with someone internally “who knew how the systems worked.”
I thanked her for the opportunity and she assured me that she would keep me in mind.
I hung up the phone and headed for the car, trying desperately not to cry until I got out of the building.
What emotion was I overcome with? Disappointment. I had been so excited about the job and then to have it slip away like that was heartbreaking.
Have you ever been there? Your spouse tells you that they don’t want to be married anymore. Your coach says that you’re just not good enough to make the team. You try out for something and are told you aren’t “good enough.” Your boss tells you that the company is downsizing and your position was eliminated. You have a miscarriage…again. Your best friend betrays you. The church you loved turns its back on you and your family.
While I was working on this part of the sermon, the speakers for the Democratic National Convention were announced. Almost immediately on Twitter, Andrew Yang posted, “I’ve got to be honest, I kind of expected to speak.”
We’ve all been there. Mordecai understood. He could have allowed the assassinate plot to go unhindered. Instead, he saved the king’s life. He should have receive a reward, a promotion, an “atta boy.” Instead, he is overlooked and Haman the Agagite is promoted to second in command.
What do you do? How do you handle this Biblically?
David Murray, a professor at Puritan Reformed Seminary, gives us six steps to take when dealing with disappointment.
* Prepare
Growing up, I told the kids numerous times, “Life’s not fair and I’m not Santa Claus.” We need to be realistic about life. Not pessimistic. Not Eeyore. But understanding that life isn’t fair but God is still faithful.
* Share
Share your disappointment with the Lord. Be completely honest. Don’t hold back. Read the Psalms of Lament (44, 60, 74,77, 79, 88) and allow the writer’s disappoint speak for you.
Share your disappointments with others, with trusted friends, mentors, or counselors. Remember, we learned in Galatians to carry each others burdens. (Gal 6:2)
* Remember
Murray writes:
“Remember that the Lord Jesus knew deep disappointment from his days on this earth. His disciples let him down continually. All forsook him, one denied him, and one even betrayed him. He knows the pain and frustration you are experiencing. He can sympathize with you and support you as you reel from the blows (Hebrews 4:15). He is the friend who sticks closer than any brother (Proverbs 18:24). He will not leave you nor forsake you.”
* Submit
Say to God, “I don’t understand why this happened the way it did. I’m very disappointed and sad about it. But I trust you and I know that you are working out the plan for my life for my good and Your glory.
* Grow
Disappointment can be used by God in our sanctification process. Have you disappointed someone? Make it right. If you can’t, then make the decision to never inflict that kind of pain on anyone else.
* Hope
There is a day coming when we will never feel the emotion of disappointment again. We need to constantly remind ourselves of that truth. This world is passing away and we are headed home. John wrote this to encourage us in our journey:
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Rev 2:1-4)
2. How do I handle my anger and desire for revenge?
A package arrives at your door. It has no return address. You open it and discover a box with one red button. There is a note that reads:
Type the name of a living person and then press the button. That person will die peacefully in their sleep tonight. Doctors will identify the cause of death as heart failure. No one will ever know that the person was murdered or that you had anything to do with it. The button can only be used once, only today, and once the button is pressed, there’s nothing you can do to undo the action.
[I got this idea from a blog called The Dinner Table and the responses were very diverse but the saddest one was that they would kill themselves to do the world a favor]
I’m going to assume that you decide to push the button. Who would you kill? An ex-spouse? A boss that harassed you? The person that hurt your child? Or would you go bigger? Maybe one of the many dictators that are ruling right now? Or maybe your pastor?
Jacob Malone was a pastor at a Mega Church near Philadelphia when he resigned because he impregnated one of the high school students. He plead guilty and was sentence to 3-6 years in prison.
While in prison, he offered one of his fellow inmates $5,000 to murder the lead pastor at his old church on a Sunday morning, during the service, in front of everyone.
The inmate told the authorities and Jacob is facing more charges.
In other words, who would you kill if you know you would get away with it?
Not everyone gets the chance that Haman did. His rage turned into revenge and he planned to carry that out on a grand scale.But from the beginning of time, with Cain and Abel, we have been killing each other.
Paul listed “hatred” and “rage” as deeds in the flesh that we studied in Galatians. That is part of our unredeemed self, the part of us that still hasn’t bowed the knee to God.
Now, some of you are thinking, “Wait a minute pastor! I certainly wouldn’t push that button and I could never kill anyone. I’m not like Haman.”
But that attitude is why Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount:
“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.” (Matthew 5:21-22)
Jesus knew what lurked in our hearts and wanted to make sure that he took the commandment down to the core of our depravity.
Jesus takes it from the physical realm, “do not kill” to the emotional and spiritual realm “do not even be angry.” It’s not just our fists Jesus is concerned with but also our mouths and words like “Raca” (which was a Greek term of abuse) and “you fool,” which is a destructive attack on a person’s character.
Jesus knew that rage can lead to revenge, anger can lead to assassination.
We may not murder anyone but we are all guilty of killing with our words.
Scripture calls us to keep our anger in check. In fact, it says it’s possible to angry and not sin:
“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” (Eph 4:26-27)
When we give ourselves over to anger, hatred, and revenge, we actually give the devil ground to cause chaos in our lives.
The writer of Proverbs summed it up well when he wrote:
“An angry person stirs up conflict, and a hot-tempered person commits many sins.” (Prov 29:22)
What if that describes you? There are three Scriptures that you need to write on an index card and memorize:
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” (James 1:19-20)
This especially applies to our social media!
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephes 4:21-22)
Have you forgotten how much God has forgiven you?
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;? if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.?In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Rom 12:17-21)
God calls us to be radically different from the world around us. We are to trust that God will take care of the situation.
Revenge is never as sweet as we imagine it.
After killing Alexander Hamilton in the duel, Lin Manuel Miranda has Arron Burr say this in the music Hamilton:
Death doesn’t discriminate
Between the sinners and the saints
It takes and it takes and it takes
History obliterates
In every picture it paints
It paints me and all my mistakes
When Alexander aimed
At the sky
He may have been the first one to die
But I’m the one who paid for it
I survived, but I paid for it
Now I’m the villain in your history
I was too young and blind to see...
I should’ve known
I should’ve known
The world was wide enough for both Hamilton and me
The world was wide enough for both Hamilton and me
We Bow Down
This whole chapter centers around bowing.
In the Bible, bowing down is a symbol of submission and surrender.
The Psalmist gives this invitation:
“Come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.” (Psalm 95:6)
Bowing down is not just a physical gesture but a spiritual one as well. It’s important that we decide who or what we will bow down to and why.
Mordecai’s refusal to bow to Haman should remind us of three Hebrew teenagers that had been kidnapped and brought to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar - Daniel’s friends Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.
Nebuchadnezzar set up a ninety foot high golden statue of himself and then commanded everyone to bow before it.
Almost everyone did except these three obstinate Jews.
A group of men came before the king and said, (see if his should familiar)
But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.” (Daniel 3:12)
His enraged the king and he threatened to throw them into a burning hot furnace.
They responded with courage and calmness:
“King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” (Daniel 3:16-18)
They would not bow! If you know the rest of the story, they were thrown into the furnace but Jesus joined them and they walked out not even smelling like smoke!
Three chapters later, we see the leaders attempting to trap Daniel. They couldn’t uncover any dirt on him so they decided it would have to be something having to do with his faith.
They came before the king and asked him to make an edict that anyone who prayed to anyone but him for the 30 days would be thrown into the lion’s den.
How did Daniel respond to this?
Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. (Daniel 6:10)
He wouldn’t stop bowing!
This group told the king who was distressed because he loved Daniel but the law couldn’t be reversed.
If you know the story, Daniel spent the night with a bunch of very large kittens that were not interested in him as a snack.
Shadrach, Michach, and Abednego wouldn’t bow to the golden idol. Daniel wouldn’t stop bowing to pray to God.
There was no posting on social media, no suing the government. They simply saw as a way to honor God.
On April 18, 1581, Martin Luther was called before the Diet of Worms who demanded that he recant his teaching of salvation by grace alone, through alone, in Christ Alone.
This what he said:
“Since your most serene majesty and your high mightinesses require of me a simple, clear and direct answer, I will give one, and it is this: I cannot submit my faith either to the pope or to the council, because it is as clear as noonday that they have fallen into error and even into glaring inconsistency with themselves. If, then, I am not convinced by proof from Holy Scripture, or by cogent reasons, if I am not satisfied by the very text I have cited, and if my judgment is not in this way brought into subjection to God’s word, I neither can nor will retract anything; for it cannot be either safe or honest for a Christian to speak against his conscience. Here I stand; I cannot do otherwise; God help me! Amen.”
In this culture, we are being asked to bow down and worship many things, and there may come a time when they may want to throw us to the lions.
But, remember this will give us the chance to shine like stars!
Do you know that one day every single person on earth will bow before Jesus?
Paul, probably quoting a hymn of the early church, wrote this:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing? by taking the very nature of a servant,? being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,? he humbled himself? by becoming obedient to death—? even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place? and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,? in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,? to the glory of God the Father. (Phil 2:6-11)
Every person will either bow in absolutely terror or shear wonder and worship to Jesus, the true King of Kings!
