All of them obeyed except Mordecai. When the other officials asked Mordecai why he disobeyed the king's command, he said, "Because I am a Jew." They spoke to him for several days about kneeling down, but he still refused to obey. Finally, they reported this to Haman, to find out if he would let Mordecai get away with it.
(Esther 3:2b-4, CEV)
All the palace officials have been ordered to bow down to Haman, honoring him as they would one of their gods. And Mordecai refuses.
For the first time in our story, Mordecai divulges his Jewish heritage. He’s kept quiet about it, but when he has to make a decision to honor His God or save his own skin, he chooses His God.
His fellow palace officials seem to want to keep Mordecai from any repercussions—perhaps he’s as well liked as Esther is. They talk to him “for several days,” trying to convince him to kneel.
“It’s not so bad,” they say. “All you’re doing is following the king’s command. You can still bow down to your God. It’s not like you’re worshiping Haman or anything. And if you don’t … well, we’ve heard Haman can be tough. Just bow down, Mordecai.”
Yet, Mordecai remains strong and refuses.
And then, no matter why they tried to convince Mordecai, the other palace officials decide to tattle on him.
What would Haman do with this upstart Jew?
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