Set The Standard

When Haman saw that Mordecai would not bow down or show him respect, he was filled with rage. He had learned of Mordecai’s nationality, so he decided it was not enough to lay hands on Mordecai alone. Instead, he looked for a way to destroy all the Jews throughout the entire empire of Xerxes. [Esther 3.5-6]

Imagine that, ALL the Jews were to suffer for one man's actions!

In light of current events and the way the world is, individual believers should be aware that the conviction of another believer might indeed affect all believers in the same way. In fact, individual believers should be aware that their own decision might affect all other believers.

What does this mean? Well, in the time of Moses, it actually caused his own people to turn against him - even though he was carrying out the plan of God.

It is interesting in the case of Mordecai however that we don't see that his people turned against him. Instead, they turned to fasting and prayer. Granted, we cannot be certain that the rest of the Jews knew the reason the edict for their annihilation was issued. Nor do we see that Mordecai announced it. In still further review, it is entirely possible that not even Mordecai knew why the edict was issued.

However it was known, it was seen as a calling to fasting and prayer by the Jews. And, that is what matters.

Christians should be considerate of what this means to us as individuals and as a group. ...Shouldn't they?

Had Mordecai considered the "group" it is highly likely he would have simply complied with Haman's demands and we would not have had the story of Esther. 

Had Moses followed the wishes of the people, we would not have had the book of Exodus.

Was Mordecai right? Was Moses right? Did history prove these men were following God or not?

Indeed Mordecai and Moses were both following God. Both were 'spot on' in their obedience to God.

So, what's the point of this writing? The point is, that we as individual believers should be understanding of the potential for our actions to affect others, but obedient to God regardless.

It still doesn't make it easy though, does it?

Father, help believers everywhere to do what is right by You. I think right now we need "Mordecai's" or a "Moses's" who will set the standard...