I wanted to look at a chapter from yesterday's reading. I also want to add someone else’s thoughts as we look at Esther 3:6.
“Haman’s wrath was so excessive that to punish the man who excited it seemed to him as nothing. The whole nation to which his enemy belonged must perish. A little more than forty years previously, at the accession of Darius Hystaspes, there had been a general massacre of the Magi, when the people “slew every Magus who came in their way” (Herod. iii. 79). This and other instances [67] which might be adduced illustrate the tendency towards passionate and excessive vengeance on the part of the Oriental disposition, which holds human life cheap. Some, however, have seen in Haman’s conduct the operation of a wider principle in the shape of race-hatred, paralleled in later days by anti-Semitic outbursts upon the continent, or the persecution of Eastern Christians by the Turks.”[1]
This was more than just anger toward a person there seemed to be a prejudice or vengeance. If Haman is as some believe the descendant of the Amalekites and king Agag then this prejudice would make perfect sense. Most but not all of the Amalekites were killed by King Saul and being slighted by Mordecai may have fueled an ancient desire for revenge.
It is never explained in the story why Mordecai wouldn’t bow to Haman. We could guess but whatever the reason right or wrong there are consequences. Mordecai’s action nearly cost the lives of all his people. A reminder that if we are going to offend we had better be doing it for the right reason.
Yes, the person responding to a rude jester and demonstrating road rage is wrong, but it would never have happened if the first person hadn’t made the jest in the first place. In our lives, we need to ask, “Should I really do this?” and “Am I ready to pay the consequences?”
Side note: Is it possible that if Saul had done what God commanded what unfolded here might never have happened? We need to remember actions good and bad have consequence.
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