Comment:  Mordecai, uncle of Esther, a loyal worshipper of God lived a godly life even though he was an official in the palace of the Medo-Persian King. As a Jew, his integrity stood out when he refused to obey the order to bow to Haman as in the foregoing text of today.  Not long after they left Egypt, God commanded Moses to warn the children of Israel against serving other gods or bowing to any person or object. (Exodus 20:3-5)

To kneel down or bow oneself is an act of worship that is reserved for the LORD. The Almighty God proclaimed: “I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.” (Isaiah 43:21) It needs be stated also that the three faithful Jews refused to bow to the image of Nebuchanezzar – even at the risk of being thrown into a fiery furnace.  (Daniel 3) As believers of the word of God, it is our utmost prayer for God’s strength in helping us to have courage in tackling issues that put our integrity to test. Our unflinching belief in the truth as well as our moral and ethical codes of right and wrong should be identified and guarded at all times. As Apostle Peter stated “we ought to obey God rather than men”. – Acts 5:29.