August 25 – Enemies Defeated

Read Esther 9:1-19. Key Verses 1-3: Now in the twelfth month (that is, the month Adar), on the thirteenth day when the king's command and edict were about to be executed, on the day when the enemies of the Jews hoped to gain the mastery over them, it was turned to the contrary so that the Jews themselves gained the mastery over those who hated them. The Jews assembled in their cities throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus to lay hands on those who sought their harm; and no one could stand before them, for the dread of them had fallen on all the peoples. Even all the princes of the provinces, the satraps, the governors and those who were doing the king's business assisted the Jews, because the dread of Mordecai had fallen on them. Indeed, Mordecai was great in the king's house, and his fame spread throughout all the provinces; for the man Mordecai became greater and greater. (NASB)

Long live Mordecai! He had become second to the king. Read on—the Jews defending themselves killed their adversaries on the 13^th and 14^th of Adar in Susa and on the 13^th in the rest of the provinces with a reported total of 75, 810 men, including Haman’s 10 sons who were hanged on their father’s gallows. People in 127 provinces hated Jews and the Jews hated their enemies. Why were the Jews so hated? This was long before Christ—so the excuse of “because they killed Jesus” cannot be used here. From where does this hated come? Is the root of it in jealousy? Or envy? The Jews claim to be God’s chosen people—and they are. God set them aside with His promise to Abraham (Abram) in Genesis 12: 1-3, Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go forth from your country, And from your relatives And from your father's house, to the land which I will show you; and I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and so you shall be a blessing; and I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed."  (NASB) Is the hatred rooted in jealousy? Even in captivity the Jews excelled—look at Daniel and his friends who all became rulers in Babylon. Why? Because they were honest, strong, smart, pure (they chose not to defile themselves as in Daniel 1:8), hard working people who pleased those for whom they worked, and they helped each other—like Daniel appointed his appointed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego administrators in Babylon (Daniel 2:49). They were not evil people to be feared. Envy? Why didn’t others just follow the Jews example and become hard workers, too? Was it a rivalry between the families of Abraham or the families of Isaac? Hate is a powerful emotion. Like anger, it turns on feelings that defile the person. Paul taught about actions of evil in contrast good in Galatians 5:19-23, Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (NASB) If we let God rule in our lives, then the fruit of the Spirit will come through us, automatically. That doesn’t mean we won’t have enemies—and won’t be hated—but we won’t hate others if we see them as God sees them.

Do you feel hatred, anger, jealousy, or envy now? How are you dealing with those feelings? Paul also wisely taught we should be content: Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am Philippians 4:11 (NASB). That takes some real effort—I know I’ve been there. I just slowly gave all my anger and frustrations to God—and He was gracious enough to take those emotions and feelings away. If He did it for me—He’ll do it for you. Just ask Him.

 Lord Jesus, thank you for helping me deal with the anger in my life. Help those who read this to let go of the anger, hate, jealousy, frustrations and enemies in their lives.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.