In our scripture readings for today from the book of Esther, we finally meet the antagonist of the story, the newly promoted high official, Haman. Esther's adoptive father Mordecai has a problem with bowing down to Haman, and Haman responds by convincing the king to issue a decree for not just the death of Mordecai, but the destruction of all of Mordecai's people, the Jews, in all the lands of the Persian empire – an attempt at genocide. And Mordecai appeals to Queen Esther, to risk her life in an attempt to reverse the decree, and save their people. Esther responds with humility and courage, in the same way that Jesus responded with humility and courage to save us....
In the late 1800's, a new word entered the English language, coming across from the Russian word meaning “devastation”, or “riot.” That word is “pogrom.” It's definition is as follows: a pogrom is an organized, officially tolerated attack or massacre aimed at the destruction or annihilation of a specific community or group, particularly based on their race or religion, used to describe violent, state-sponsored riots targeting Jewish populations. “Pogrom” came across to English on the occasion of the attacks on Jews condoned by the Russian Tsar, as depicted in the popular movie, “Fiddler on the Roof.” But the Ancient Persian word “hamasara” could just as easily have been used, because for the Jewish people, pogroms are nothing new....
The first question that must be asked in our story today, is “what was Mordecai's problem?” If Mordecai just bends the knee to Haman, this whole catastrophic event does not happen. Why couldn't Mordecai just “go along to get along?”
It's not like Mordecai had a problem with King Ahasuerus – in fact, he even saved Ahasuerus' life by revealing an assassination plot conspired by two of his eunuchs. It's not like Mordecai had a problem with any other of the king's commands. But he did have a problem with obeisance to Haman. And that's because unlike the benevolent ruler King Ahasuerus, who was content with being respected for his authority, tinpot dictator Haman insisted on being worshipped. And Mordecai reserves his worship, reserves his highest allegiance...for God alone.
Haman, like all authoritarians throughout history, can't handle being in second place, and so he has a problem. Mordecai's rebellion, like Queen Vashti's rebellion from last week, could spread to all the God-worshippers, and from there, to the general population. This must be stopped in the bud, and Haman advises King Ahasuerus to kill ALL the Jews in Persia, all the God-worshippers whose allegiance cannot be trusted. The Pur is cast and comes up October 7th, I mean Adar 13th, and the timing of the pogrom is set by royal decree.
Mordecai reacts to the decree by tearing his clothes, wearing sackcloth and ashes, and lamenting publicly in the city. This is both an announcement of the desire to repent, and a cry for God's help. It is Mordecai's humble willingness to accept blame for the situation, either personally or on behalf of his people, and a request for forgiveness. But it does not include submission to Haman.
Who is insisting on OUR worship these days, a worship we should reserve for God alone? Who can't handle being in second place on our list of allegiances? There is an authoritarian element in our society, which sometimes operates through the channels of government, and sometimes through the channels of public opinion. And they have no tolerance for Christians who do not show enthusiastic tolerance for their causes. This element was on full display most dramatically during the covid lockdown of 2020, where pastors who rebelled and held worship services had to be stopped in the bud with fines and prosecution, before the rebellion could spread to all the Jesus-worshippers. And as the authoritarian element gets stronger in our society, expect more instances where if we refuse to go along to get along, the verdict will be that it is not appropriate to tolerate us. Will WE then succumb to the temptation to submit?