January 28, 2011

Esther 5

A segment of how God deals with men and women can be seen in the contrast between Esther and Haman. Haman made no attempt to remediate the behavior of Mordecai. He simply moved to crush it. Esther initially made a move to remediate. She made Haman part of the private banquet she sought with the King. Why did she do that? If it had been me, I would probably have sought only an audience with the king so that I could fully speak my mind and get rid of the scoundrel, Haman. She might have had this whole thing planned out in advance. However, I don’t think she could have predicted Haman’s road to perdition. I think she wanted to privately find out where Haman stood in all of this and see if there was any possible move toward remediation with Haman’s involvement. The first banquet revealed no possibility to her. Stalling for time to continue to consider her road for action, she asked for a second banquet. She looked for remediation.

Haman left the banquet feeling good about himself until he passed Mordecai at the gate. The powers of darkness can never stand the sight of a man who refuses to bow to anyone except the King of Kings. Rather than trying to find out why Mordecai will not bow, he becomes further entrenched in his desire to destroy Mordecai. He is totally focused on his riches, his family, his rank, and his honor. His wife advises the construction of a 75ft. tall gallows. What a monstrosity! And he had the power to have it built over night! It would certainly display Haman’s power in the country.

What a contrast! Esther is cautiously looking for possibilities of remediation. Haman is recklessly seeking the destruction of a people who will not give him what does not belong to Him. I see the same contrast with Jesus in how He deals with us. On the night that Jesus was betrayed, He knew what Judas was doing. He dipped the bread into the wine and offered it to Judas. It was a clear offer of friendship and remediation. Judas took it, but rather than repenting, he continued on in his recalcitrant track of betraying Jesus. Satan entered him. There was darkness as he had never known. But Jesus had loved him up to this point. Our Lord is that way. He is always looking for our remediation, our repentance. But there comes a point when He says, “No more.” Thank you, Lord for being patient with me! Help me to enter into your correction. Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!

--Pastor john