The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in Esther 8:7,
"Because Haman attacked the Jews, I [King Xerxes] have given his estate to Esther, and they have impaled him on the pole he set up."
Haman set himself to destroy all the Jews held captive in Persia due to his perceived disrespect from the Jew, Mordecai. His plans fell apart due to two things: his king, Xerxes, had married a Jew, Esther - now queen (whom the king and his court did not knew at the time was a Jew), and the earlier circumstance of Esther's cousin Mordecai warning the king of a plot to kill him.
Both of these circumstances, as well as other details in the book, although not stated specifically in Esther, appear to me to be at the hand of God to protect his chosen people, the Jews. They figure prominently in God's redemptive acts and as such would always have their fortunes determined by him, as is still the case today.
I am reminded that justice for sins is not always as immediate. In fact, it seems in the Scriptures swift justice is not nearly that common. What we do read of is the "Great White Throne Judgment" that is to come following the end of this age where all will be held accountable for their sins and face the terrible justice of God. We read of it in Revelation 20:11-15.
The delayed justice meted out for sins is something that has been of a vexation for people over the years. When we see wrong-doing, we want swift justice. Asaph makes the observation in Psalm 73:12-16, "This is what the wicked are like— always free of care, they go on amassing wealth. Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and have washed my hands in innocence. All day long I have been afflicted, and every morning brings new punishments. If I had spoken out like that, I would have betrayed your children. When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply... " Justice appeared to Asaph to be missing as he lived his life for God, still suffered, and yet, the wicked didn't seem to suffer at all. Where was the justice? Asaph found it when he reached a point of clarity about God's justice during his worship of God, "... it troubled me deeply
till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny." Psalm 73:16b-17.
Justice is certainly coming, and unlike the case of Haman, we must be patient for God's agenda to play out. We read David's words in Psalm 37:8-9, "Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land."
Paul also encourages us with this comment, "Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God." 1 Corinthians 4:5.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
"Because Haman attacked the Jews, I [King Xerxes] have given his estate to Esther, and they have impaled him on the pole he set up."
Haman set himself to destroy all the Jews held captive in Persia due to his perceived disrespect from the Jew, Mordecai. His plans fell apart due to two things: his king, Xerxes, had married a Jew, Esther - now queen (whom the king and his court did not knew at the time was a Jew), and the earlier circumstance of Esther's cousin Mordecai warning the king of a plot to kill him.
Both of these circumstances, as well as other details in the book, although not stated specifically in Esther, appear to me to be at the hand of God to protect his chosen people, the Jews. They figure prominently in God's redemptive acts and as such would always have their fortunes determined by him, as is still the case today.
An interesting note about the book of Esther is that, not only is God not verbally credited for his involvement in Esther's story, God is not mentioned at all in the book. Nevertheless, his handiwork and hand prints are all over the details in the book.
What catches my eye this morning is that justice was quickly served against Haman for his acts against God's people. The justice Haman received was both horrific and immediate. Haman's acts warranted the justice he received (he was impaled on a seventy-five foot pole!), and additionally, the protection God had in mind for his people required it.
I am reminded that justice for sins is not always as immediate. In fact, it seems in the Scriptures swift justice is not nearly that common. What we do read of is the "Great White Throne Judgment" that is to come following the end of this age where all will be held accountable for their sins and face the terrible justice of God. We read of it in Revelation 20:11-15.
The delayed justice meted out for sins is something that has been of a vexation for people over the years. When we see wrong-doing, we want swift justice. Asaph makes the observation in Psalm 73:12-16, "This is what the wicked are like— always free of care, they go on amassing wealth. Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and have washed my hands in innocence. All day long I have been afflicted, and every morning brings new punishments. If I had spoken out like that, I would have betrayed your children. When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply... " Justice appeared to Asaph to be missing as he lived his life for God, still suffered, and yet, the wicked didn't seem to suffer at all. Where was the justice? Asaph found it when he reached a point of clarity about God's justice during his worship of God, "... it troubled me deeply
till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny." Psalm 73:16b-17.
Justice is certainly coming, and unlike the case of Haman, we must be patient for God's agenda to play out. We read David's words in Psalm 37:8-9, "Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land."
Paul also encourages us with this comment, "Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God." 1 Corinthians 4:5.
Of course, it goes without saying that my own appearance before God to give an account of my sins would be an horrific thing to face were it not for Jesus Christ paying the penalty for those sins himself! I need not fear God's judgment!
How about you?
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
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