Esther Chapter 3. Change ME God.
King Xerxes honors Haman by giving him a position higher than any other person. And he orders people to bow down and honor Haman. But Mordecai, the Jew, refuses to do so even after being confronted by the Royal officials.
When Haman found out that Mordecai would Not bow down and that he was a Jew, Haman's hatred became so great he plotted, not just to kill Mordecai, but to kill as many Jews as he possibly could.
Haman presents to the king a plan to destroy the Jews and makes it sound like they're troublemakers who need to be done away with. So the king gives his support for Haman's plan.
Some thoughts from this chapter:
1. We need more Christians, like Mordecai, who will refuse to compromise their faith walk. Let us refuse to conform to the pattern of this world. Instead let us be transformed by the renewing of our minds and by the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
2. Once again, as with Haman, we see what hate will result in if not taken control of. Such evil thoughts and plans come from hatredness. From hate comes murder, gossip, fights and all kinds of evil plans.
3. After the decree was sent out to all the people about Jews being killed on a given day, Haman ends up drinking with the King. It comes across as if Haman is trying to cover up what he knows is a sin so that the king feels better about the decree and so that he himself can justify his evil plan.
How do we justify our sins? how do we justify our hate? Our unforgiveness? Our refusal to make amends? Our gossip? Our evil thoughts? Our compromise with sin? Let us be careful how we judge others who sin and cover it up or justify it. May we focus more on ourselves and let God reveal our true hearts and motives.
Holy Spirit, please transform me into your image. Reveal my sinful heart and motives.
We read the following fact in Proverbs 19:20, “Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.”
While it’s important to listen to advice, I think that this chapter is a good reminder for us to be careful who we listen to and take advice from. Haman had the king’s ear and was ready to wipe out the Jewish people. The king was going to allow Haman to do this without even seeming to give it much thought at all! Wow! Who we listen to can be so dangerous!
Who has an influence on us?
Who has our ears?
Are we listening to what God has to say or what the world wants us to hear?
May we choose to listen to the right voices and follow God’s Word in our lives!