PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Esther 7-8
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“They impaled Haman on the pole he had set up for Mordecai.” (Esther 7:10)
This is not a pretty picture: Haman impaled on a 75ft tall pole.
It was a visually disturbing and powerful image for everyone to see.
Haman ends up dying the very death that he wanted for Mordecai.
The bible often warns about receiving the evil you intended for others.
“Whoever digs a pit will fall into it; if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them.” (Proverbs 26:27)
This seems just and fair, especially to those who are victims of evil.
And yet this image of someone dying on a pole meant for another reminds us of something.
Jesus dying a sinner’s death for the curse that was meant for us.
But Jesus’s death is very different – Haman got what he deserved, Jesus did not.
Haman was sent to the pole against his will, but Jesus chose to die for us.
Two poles, the one representing justice and the other mercy.
The one representing the death we deserve, the other the gift we don’t deserve.
“May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which
the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” (Galatians 6:14)
PRAYER
Lord, when I survey the wondrous cross on which you died, my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.
“because fear of the Jews had seized them” – why did the people fear them? I see a parallel to Exodus here – and I wonder if the various people who had come to know the Jews in exile – especially in Suza – had heard the stories of the Hebrew people – especially of their almighty God – so that when they heard what happened to Haman after what he tried to do – and how his ‘fate’ had turned on him so that he was impaled on the very pole he had set up for Mordecai – and how now Mordecai was an important figure under the king – is it any wonder that there is now ‘fear?’ In my heart I don’t want to have people live in fear of Christians because of might or even good karma – I would rather that they respect and want to know Jesus because of what Jesus stands for, what he taught and what he promises – to be right with God. How can I be the kind of example that garner’s respect for the name of Jesus? Let my meekness, kindness and love for my fellow mankind be evident in my life!
Not only Esther but also Mordecai were ‘placed’ to be instruments of His peace His wonders to perform. Both stood up for Jesus – doing what was right and good and true despite of what could have happened. The Jews had light and joy and that light and joy is only found in my Saviour. He is the Light of the world and I need to walk in that Light each day for the joy of the Lord God is my strength.
The joy of the LORD is my strength
The joy of the LORD is my strength
The joy of the LORD is my strength
Oh, the joy of the LORD is my strength.
He gives me living water and I thrist no more
He gives me living water and I thrist no more
He gives me living water and I thrist no more
For the joy of the LORD is my strength
If you want joy you must sing for it
If you want joy you must sing for it
If you want joy you must sing for it
For the joy of the LORD is my strength
If you want joy you must shout …jump for it..
If you want joy you must shout …jump for it..
If you want joy you must shout …jump for it..
For the joy of the LORD is my strength