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 3:6,
"Yet having learned who Mordecai's people were, he scorned the idea of killing only Mordecai. Instead Haman looked for a way to destroy all Mordecai's people, the Jews, throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes."
Haman was a man the Persian King Xerxes had honored. A part of that recognition required the royal officials and others to kneel down to him. This honor fed an enormous arrogance Haman must have had.
Mordecai, being a good Jew, refused to acknowledge the prideful Haman in a manner he reserved for the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Since Mordecai kept close to the king's gate as he kept up with Esther, his cousin and now queen, there was ample opportunity for Mordecai to refuse to kneel down before Haman.
The perceived disrespect of Mordecai toward Haman enraged him. Not being satisfied with pursuing the taking of Mordecai's life, Haman made an attempt to destroy all of Mordecai's people, the remnant of Jews. It was unknown to Haman and King Xerxes that the queen, Esther, was herself a Jew. Thus commences a fascinating tale of how things turn out.
Just as the Progressives in Hitler's day attempted to annihilate the Jews, "Team Cain" has always sought to destroy God's people, and here we see it some time near 473 BC.
Christians, as God's people, are not exempt from this hateful and murderous impulse of Team Cain. The apostle John writes, "Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother's were righteous. Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you." 1 John 3:12-13.
Jesus said, "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first." John 15:18.
If you are under the misguided notion that somehow the church can endear itself to the people of the world, keep in mind that those who have not embraced the Lord in faith feel a terrible dread and express that dread in their hateful actions toward all of God's people.
Here is an interesting observation by David from Psalm 14:4-5, "Do all these evildoers know nothing? They devour my people as though eating bread; they never call on the Lord. But there they are, overwhelmed with dread, for God is present in the company of the righteous."
As long as God's people live their lives as living testimonies of the Lord, they will be reviled, hated, rejected and subject to the murderous impulses of lost mankind.
Which team do you play for? "Team Cain" or "Team Abel"? If it be Team Abel, be prepared to be subject to the malevolent intentions of those who have not embraced the Lord. After all, you will be recognized as someone who resides in God's tent while Team Cain suffers from the dread, the anxiety, and the fear of being excluded from God, from eternal life, and the palpable specter of looming judgment. After all, they have made the choice to cling to their sin rather than embrace the Lord (See Jesus' comment to Nicodemus in John 3:18-20.)
That is a choice not without its consequences.
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.
"Yet having learned who Mordecai's people were, he scorned the idea of killing only Mordecai. Instead Haman looked for a way to destroy all Mordecai's people, the Jews, throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes."
Haman was a man the Persian King Xerxes had honored. A part of that recognition required the royal officials and others to kneel down to him. This honor fed an enormous arrogance Haman must have had.
Mordecai, being a good Jew, refused to acknowledge the prideful Haman in a manner he reserved for the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Since Mordecai kept close to the king's gate as he kept up with Esther, his cousin and now queen, there was ample opportunity for Mordecai to refuse to kneel down before Haman.
The perceived disrespect of Mordecai toward Haman enraged him. Not being satisfied with pursuing the taking of Mordecai's life, Haman made an attempt to destroy all of Mordecai's people, the remnant of Jews. It was unknown to Haman and King Xerxes that the queen, Esther, was herself a Jew. Thus commences a fascinating tale of how things turn out.
Just as the Progressives in Hitler's day attempted to annihilate the Jews, "Team Cain" has always sought to destroy God's people, and here we see it some time near 473 BC.
Christians, as God's people, are not exempt from this hateful and murderous impulse of Team Cain. The apostle John writes, "Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother's were righteous. Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you." 1 John 3:12-13.
Jesus said, "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first." John 15:18.
If you are under the misguided notion that somehow the church can endear itself to the people of the world, keep in mind that those who have not embraced the Lord in faith feel a terrible dread and express that dread in their hateful actions toward all of God's people.
Here is an interesting observation by David from Psalm 14:4-5, "Do all these evildoers know nothing? They devour my people as though eating bread; they never call on the Lord. But there they are, overwhelmed with dread, for God is present in the company of the righteous."
As long as God's people live their lives as living testimonies of the Lord, they will be reviled, hated, rejected and subject to the murderous impulses of lost mankind.
Which team do you play for? "Team Cain" or "Team Abel"? If it be Team Abel, be prepared to be subject to the malevolent intentions of those who have not embraced the Lord. After all, you will be recognized as someone who resides in God's tent while Team Cain suffers from the dread, the anxiety, and the fear of being excluded from God, from eternal life, and the palpable specter of looming judgment. After all, they have made the choice to cling to their sin rather than embrace the Lord (See Jesus' comment to Nicodemus in John 3:18-20.)
That is a choice not without its consequences.
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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