Tag: Haman
God of celebration!
Scripture reading for May 17th: Esther 8-10
When God wanted His people to remember something, He often designed a feast or celebration! Looking back, God gave Israel “Passover” as a way to remember their deliverance from bondage in Egypt. He gave them “Pentecost” and “Firstfruits” to celebrate the harvest and giving of His Law. He gave them “Tabernacles” where they lived in booths to commemorate their 40 years in the wilderness before entering the promised land. He gave the church the “Eucharist” (thanksgiving) to celebrate Jesus Christ’s final sacrifice and as a picture of the great wedding banquet to come! God likes the idea of His people celebrating!
The Jews had good reason to celebrate! Their enemy, Haman, had been hung on a gallows that he himself built. The king had extended favor to Esther and Mordecai by giving them Haman’s estate. Haman had offered 375 tons of silver (120 million dollars) to eliminate the Jews and the king told Mordecai to keep his money! (Esther 3:9-11)
The king also granted them the right to defend themselves and eliminate their enemies! Since the first decree which, according to the law of the land, could not be set aside, Mordecai was allowed to set that day to eliminate the enemies of the Jews. Before the day came, many people of other nationalities became Jews for fear of them. (Esther 8:17) On the day set by Haman, the tables were turned and over 75,000 enemies of the Jews were destroyed! (Esther 9:1-2) Esther asked for another day and it was granted! Thus the feast of Purim (lot) was begun. Annually they celebrated for two days giving gifts and eating choice foods, for their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into celebration! (Esther 9:20-22)
What do we learn from all of this? God is in absolute control of everything! When His people fast and pray and seek to obey, He comes through. Evil toward His people is turned back on the heads of those who would touch His children! His children can celebrate a total victory over the forces of evil arrayed against them! We win in the end! Tell someone this good news today! Celebrate the victory that is yours in Jesus Christ!
Civil disobedience!
Scripture reading for May 15th: Esther 3-4
As God’s people, we try to be the best citizens we can be. We should be known as people who obey the law, serve and pray for those in authority. We should promote respect for those in authority and aide their proper rule. However, when a civil authority gives orders to disobey the law of God, we must respectfully decline and obey God!
Haman was exalted by King Xerxes to a place of honor above all others. All officials in the king’s palace knelt down and paid honor to Haman. (Esther 3:2) But Mordecai, Queen Esther’s Jewish uncle, would not bow his knee before a man because of his faith in God and God’s word. (Esther 3:4) This infuriated Haman and he devised a plot to eliminate all Jews from Persia. He offered the king 375 tons of silver to allow him to eliminate these disrespectful people. (Esther 3:8-9) For those in authority to feel secure, any threat must be removed!
Mordecai immediately began to fast and pray. (Ester 4:1-3) He called on other Jews to join with him. He even asked his niece, Queen Esther, to help. This was not going to be easy. She would have to exercise some wise “civil disobedience” herself if she were to approach the king. She asked for prayer covering as she prepared for the potentially life-threatening task of asking the king for help. (Ester 4:15-17) Her attitude was one of faith and of willingness to die to protect her people!
Queen Esther is a type of the Church. The Church has been placed by God in places of influence to be a witness for God and His people. The Church is to be submissive to the authorities of the world in all things except where that compromises faithfulness to God. The Church is to be willing to die for what is right, rather than compromise the truth for the passing pleasures of sin for a season. The Church must speak up or loose its place of influence for God! Ask God what other lessons might be here for you today as you read this story of God working through ordinary people to accomplish His purposes!