In October, we saw how Mordecai stayed on task by remaining true to his religious beliefs as he served in the position he held. We now extend our focus towards Mordecai’s superiors, King Xerxes and Haman.
Haman, prior to obtaining information on Mordecai from his coworkers, was totally oblivious to Mordecai’s actions. Unbeknownst to Mordecai, his coworkers embedded a target on his back when they relayed Mordecai’s actions and Jewish religion to Haman. Upon receiving word of Mordecai’s disrespect towards him, Haman decided to observe Mordecai’s response towards him. So, Haman arrived in Mordecai’s presence; he observed Mordecai not kneeling before him. This action kindled Haman’s anger, which led Haman to formulate a deadly plot against Mordecai and all of the Jewish people residing in the entire kingdom under the leadership of King Xerxes.
On the first month of the twelfth year during King Xerxes’ reign, lots were cast in the presence of Haman so that a year advanced day and month could be secured. Haman went before King Xerxes and presented his plot in the guise of concerns and informed the king that there were a group of people that resided throughout his kingdom in all of his provinces that separated themselves. These people separated themselves from everyone else due to the difference of customs and did not obey the king’s laws.
Haman then implored King Xerxes to kill off those groups of people residing in all of the king’s provinces. Haman also offered to pay into the King’s administration 10,000 talents of silver and requested that his concerns be made into a law. King Xerxes removed the signet ring from his hand, handed it to Haman and informed Haman to keep his money and do as he wished to the people he wanted to kill.
Interjection time—we will pick this storyline back up again next month. I admit that there have been past instances that come to mind where I was disrespected and treated unfairly by a person’s words, actions, and/or deeds. My responses? My thoughts were: If only I held the position of being their authoritarian my wrath would be felt in an effective way! Yes, at times I got it right and No, at times I did not get it right when it came to my responses.
Even now, experiencing rejection, disrespect and/or being shunned causes me to initially think of a vindictive response. Denying self, the flesh, and having a set mindset where my first and only response consists of a Christ-like response is indeed a continuous struggle for me that God is working with me on. So, I ask this of you readers, please help me and share how you are able to operate within the Spirit at all times, to the point that vindication never crosses your mind? I look forward to reading everyone’s insightful responses.
