(Esther 3:1-15) After these events King Ahasuerus honored Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and promoted him and established his authority over all the officials who were with him. 2 All the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman; for so the king had commanded regarding him. But Mordecai neither bowed down nor paid homage. 3 Then the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate said to Mordecai, “Why are you violating the king’s command?” 4 Now it was when they had spoken daily to him and he would not listen to them, that they told Haman to see whether Mordecai’s reason would stand; for he had told them that he was a Jew. 5 When Haman saw that Mordecai neither bowed down nor paid homage to him, Haman was filled with rage. 6 But he considered it beneath his dignity to kill Mordecai alone, for they had told him who the people of Mordecai were; so Haman sought to annihilate all the Jews, the people of Mordecai, who were found throughout the kingdom of Ahasuerus.
7 In the first month, which is the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, Pur, that is the lot, was cast before Haman from day to day and from month to month, until the twelfth month, that is the month Adar. 8 Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, “There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom; their laws are different from those of all other people and they do not comply with the king’s laws, so it is not in the king’s interest to let them remain. 9 If it is pleasing to the king, let it be decreed that they be eliminated, and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those who carry out the king’s business, to put into the king’s treasuries.” 10 Then the king took his signet ring from his hand and gave it to Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews. 11 And the king said to Haman, “The silver is yours, and the people also, to do with them as you please.”
12 Then the king’s scribes were summoned on the thirteenth day of the first month, and it was written just as Haman commanded to the king’s satraps, to the governors who were over each province and to the officials of each people, each province according to its script, each people according to its language, being written in the name of King Ahasuerus and sealed with the king’s signet ring. 13 Letters were sent by couriers to all the king’s provinces to annihilate, kill, and destroy all the Jews, both young and old, women and children, in one day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to seize their possessions as plunder. 14 A copy of the edict to be issued as law in every province was published to all the peoples so that they would be ready for this day. 15 The couriers went out, speeded by the king’s order while the decree was issued at the citadel in Susa; and while the king and Haman sat down to drink, the city of Susa was agitated.
TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:
Here is an example of how we are to obey the laws of authority - UNLESS they go against God's will. Can any authority or department within authority become corrupt? And can we suddenly come up against that corruption? Absolutely. What is so important to remember, is that in our relationship with the Lord, when we are continually seeking after Him and trusting Him in everything, He will work things out for good, because He is able! The Lord is not only sovereign, but He also cares about His children!
Above, we see that the Judeans were in captivity. Esther was taken from her people in order to be given to the king. Mordecai faced death for not bowing down to Haman. And now the Jews were in danger of being eliminated. The Israelites could have said that they were only facing annihilation because Mordecai refused to pay homage to Haman, but we must keep in mind that the Israelites were only in this mess because they had originally abandoned God.
God allows us to be placed in circumstances or situations that may seem undesirable or uncomfortable, sometimes because of our own wrong actions, and sometimes because of other people's wrong actions. But God also places us in positions which can be used by Him as we allow God to work in our lives.
If we think that our way is better than God's, then do not blame God for the results! I just know from experience and from what the Bible tells us, that it is better to return to God and/or remain steadfast in God's will and trust that He will work things out. It might not be in our own timing, but we can definitely can trust Him, because He is faithful and keeps His promises.
No comments:
Post a Comment