15 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
The story so far: Haman has been elevated to a high status, so high that everyone must kneel before him. Mordecai refused to do so because Haman's ancestors were the Amalekites, enemies of the Israelites. Haman wasn't pleased and then proceeds to take his revenge on not only Mordecai, but all Jews. He wants to kill all of them within the kingdom. He convinces the king to agree, and a proclamation is sent to all in the kingdom of the day the Jews are to be killed.
The last verse in the chapter covers two ends of a spectrum. The king and Haman relax and enjoy some wine after the proclamation is sent. Haman is practically celebrating the upcoming defeat of the Jews. Meanwhile, the rest of the kingdom is giving a resounding, "Huh?" They don't know where this came from. EVERYONE is confused. The confusion is not specific to only the Jews.
Compare this to today's world. If a foreign leader refused to shake our President's hand, or if a member of the military refused to salute a high ranking and public officer, it would be plastered all over the news. Everyone would know the players, the backstory, and the rumors about what would happen next. There would be little in the form of a surprise, other than the initial act.
Mordecai stood up for what he knew to be right. He stood up for his people and for his God. He didn't think of the severe consequences, nor did he think of the notoriety that would follow from his act. He didn't think of the possible book deals or talk show appearances that may arise from his actions. He stood for God, not himself.
We are to do the same. Standing for God may sometimes put us under a spot light, but that should not be the reason we act. We need to present God as being front and center, not ourselves.
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