Greetings! This week we are reading and mulling Esther chapters 3 & 4. If you haven’t read any of my posts before I’ll just tell you straight out that I imagine you sitting right here with me. We are having a great time of fellowship and encouraging one another to “do what the Bible says” (James 1:22). I do acknowledge the “conversation” truly is one-sided as you read, but I encourage you to contact me or comment on this post to change that! Bottom line is I want to inspire you to think about what the scripture is saying and let it change you.
Esther 2 & 3
This week we met some pretty diverse individuals in Esther’s story. It really stood out to me that their character all really showed as they were facing increased pressure.
The question is what kind of character do they display and what kind of character do you want to display in your life?
Haman was a descendant of Agag, an Amalekite who was enemies of the Jews. Once Haman was given power in Xerse’s kingdom, he let his hatred for God’s people surface and tried very hard to kill all of the Jews who were living in the Persian Kingdom. That is a whole lot of hatred! This was all fueled by his arrogance and sense of entitlement.
Mordecai a Jew whose descendants were taken to Babalon generations before still lived and worked under Xerses’ rule in Persia. Mordecai was devoted to God and therefore refused to bow in submission to Haman. Much to Haman’s horror, and because of Mordecai’s commitment and obedience to the Lord, instead of being executed he was blessed!
Esther was a younger cousin of Mordecai. Her parents died earlier in her life and Mordecai graciously raised her as his own. In chapter 2 we learn that she is beautiful, and this God-given attribute, although she is a Jew by birth, lands her the position of Queen of Persia. In chapter 4 Esther learns of Haman’s plot and is distressed over the edict, which means she has compassion. She gathered all of the pertinent information, which means she was thorough. She respected the authority of her husband and the law of the land, which means she was humble. She made a decision that was selfless and sacrificial. She recognized the God who empowers, and protects, by asking for not just prayer but fasting. She honored God by placing her faith and hope in Him.
Hathach is one of the king’s eunuchs who was directly assigned to serve Esther. Hathach followed instructions obediently. What he didn’t do was take sides which stands out to me because he served the king, and I would expect that his allegiance was to him alone.
Lessons
In Haman, we see the sinfulness and selfishness of man. If you don’t do what I want, I will take you out! Perhaps we aren’t quite that brash, but do we judge people and determine them not worthy to breathe the same air as we are breathing? Do we let our past, or our relative’s past experience dictate the future of others, or at the very least how we treat them?
To a degree, we see the simple, and humble obedience of someone who is concerned for something or someone beyond himself in Hathach. Maybe he did not feel as though he had a choice, or perhaps he believed that this was the better choice, we don’t know. What I do read in this text is something different than what Haman’s character showed. Hathach did not try to gain money or favor by playing one side over another or asking for compensation to keep this very “sensitive” information a secret. This is telling of his character and gives us something to think about in our lives. Do we serve others by “oversharing”? Can we be trusted?
Devotion to God and worship of Him alone were the traits we see in Mordecai. He and Esther both demonstrate a love for others. Esther, beyond compassion, shows us what sacrificial love looks like. In addition, we see their patience and wisdom as they work through very trying circumstances. What would it have really hurt for him to compromise his faith to get Haman off his back? Do we see those things happen in our families, with our friends, and in our work environments? Mordecai is true and faithful. He shines for the Lord in a very dark time and place. Esther is both humble and brilliant as the weight of this trial eventually lands on her shoulders.
We don’t see the word God written in this book but the character of God shines through the people who God introduces us to in these chapters.
challenge
Where do you need to grow?
Compassion for others?
Humble Obedience?
Sacrificial Love?
Respect/worship of the One and Only God who protects and provides?
Let’s pick an area and find a daily exercise that will help us put it into practice.
For example, if it is compassion – find a local ministry and see what needs they have you could both pray for and contribute to. Volunteers? Funds? Goods?
