Passage Read: Esther 3-6
Meditation Verse: 6:13
Thought
Where was this warning when Haman first decided to wipe out Mordecai's entire people? Where was this warning when Haman seethed against seeing Mordecai the Jew every day at the king's gate? Instead of pointing out Mordecai's Jewish origin, they encouraged him to build a gallows 50 cubits high! Did they think they could get away with killing all the Jews? Only to realize their doom when Haman was forced to lead Mordecai throughout the city and honor him? Their key clue was that Mordecai "is of Jewish origin!" But that was the case from the beginning! It was the Jews that Haman wanted to destroy! At the last they recognize God's promise to Abraham, to bless those who bless him and curse those who curse him. At the last they remember God's eternal war with Amalek. Did his wife and wise men actually hate Haman? Were they plotting against him the whole time, trusting that he would ultimately fall before the Jews?
Application
This is a powerful reminder that those who hate God's people, especially the Jews, will ultimately be destroyed. They cannot succeed for long, though they can succeed for a time. God will not suffer the loss of all Jews, and that promise extends to Christians. The Gospel and its messengers can be eradicated from one location, but their testimony will never be extinguished from all the world. God is jealous for all His people, and those who hate them and fight against them are only heaping up wrath against themselves. As we proclaim the Gospel, we are defenseless and bear no sword to condemn. We are truly like sheep led to slaughter. Because we have discovered that this life is not the one we want to fight for, but the one we want to spend and expend in order to gain a better resurrection. Though the Lord may allow us to suffer the wrath of man for walking in God's ways and proclaiming hope and freedom through Christ, yet we will ultimately prevail over our enemies. That's why I can bless when cursed and give when others demand. This body and these possessions are not mine to keep, but I have a better body and lasting possessions awaiting me on the other side of death. Just as the Lord will turn the tables on Haman, so the Lord will turn the tables on all who hate His people and seek to destroy us. We will return with a mighty Lord and righteous swords with which to mow down our enemies. Today we are easily cut down in weakness, but we will return in power. The origin of Purim is a foreshadowing of Christ's victorious return to claim a world that thinks they can successfully crucify and cut Him off. They're just playing into God's hands. I don't need to fear wicked people and those who advise them. Their advisors--anyone who encourages hatred for Jews or Christians--are their real enemies. I don't need to hate them. Rather, I can pity them.