When Haman heard he was invited to Queen's Esther banquet with King Xerxes, he was delighted and proud to let his wife and friends know. He was happy and in high spirits. Haman boasted to them about his vast wealth, his many sons, all the ways the King had honored him, and how the King had elevated him above the other nobles and officials. However, when he saw Mordecai on the way home, passed the King's gate, and saw Mordecai didn't rise or show respect to him by bowing before him, he was enraged against Mordecai, but he restrained himself. With all the vast possessions and honor that Haman received, he wasn't satisfied until he got rid of Mordecai at the King's gate (Mordecai was one of the gatekeepers at the King's gate). So his wife and all his friends advised Haman to set up a 75 feet pole and ask the King in the morning to have Mordecai impaled on it. Then go with the King to the banquet and enjoy himself. This suggestion delighted Haman, and he set the pole up (Esther 5:9-14).
Mordecai and Haman were enemies because of their ethnic groups’ history: Mordecai, who was Jew, and Haman, who was an Agagite from the Amalekites. And this was the reason that Mordecai didn't want to pay respect to Haman. Since Mordecai didn't want to pay respect to him, he wanted to kill him and all the Jews in the Medo-Persian Empire. However, this was something that God would not allow because of the plan of God through the nation of Israel. Eventually, our Lord Jesus would come from the Jews. The common theme between these two rivals is hatred towards each other. And hatred turns to murder.
As children of our Heavenly Father, let us not allow ourselves to be consumed with unforgiveness, and unforgiveness can turn to anger. And anger can turn to hatred, and hatred can turn to murder. Similarly, our anger can turn to rage, and rage can turn to murder. Our God encourages us to forgive and give him all the offenses we received against us. Let us protect our hearts and minds from anger that turns to hatred. James 1:19-20 says, "My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires."
Ask yourself these questions for application: (Think through carefully and meditate on the questions while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you) Am I an angry person? How does God want me to live my life? How do I protect myself from hatred?
Write down all the worries you face today and lift them up to God.
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, you have forgiven all my sins so I can forgive those who have sinned against me. Please help me to forgive just as I received your forgiveness so that my heart and mind can be protected from anger and hate. Please help me to overcome my temper or anger, but show self-control that honors your name. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
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