Standing Firm
The Story of Mordecai and Haman in the Book of Esther is instructive in a number of ways but one thing that stands out above most is the value of standing firm in what one believes.
This is just a short article focused on that one thing
One with tongue in cheek could say it was a common virtue between Mordecai and Haman except may be Haman could be seen as being infatuated with his ego and desire to be bowed unto by Mordecai in particular.
Mordecai refused to bow unto Haman, he was not someone who did not know the laws of the land, considering that he was careful not to wear sackcloth at the gate of the palace of the king though he stood at the entrance to the gate. He seemed to know of Haman’s anti-Jew stance and decided to ignore him and maybe he was just proud and refused . This attitude brought the worst out of Haman. He thought of nothing else but how to get back at Mordecai.
No matter how high he rose in the government of the day, the only pleasure he sought was the destruction of Mordecai. Unfortunately for him, he decided Mordecai was not enough, he had to exterminate all Jews everywhere including the hanging of Mordecai on the gallows.
it is not so clear what drove Mordecai, but he seemed to know that though they were far from Israel, God was near and close by and once the law came out that the Jews were to be exterminated, he went all out in his belief that God could save while using every legitimate means he could lay his hands on.
In the providence of God, things began to turn sour for Haman, first, he leads Mordecai on a ride around town declaring how the king honors the one he delights in, then the issue with Esther comes up which costs him his life. On the flip side of things, the state of Mordecai changes till be becomes what Mordecai despised.
It is instructive that we don’t get infatuated with people who are below us in life’s station, especially if they decide they will not respect up or defer to us in any way, in all reality, it takes nothing from us. If they are wrong, they will pay and if not it doesn’t change anything.
This issue became bigger because because in the grand scheme of things, Haman wanted to kill all Jews in the whole kingdom which would include the land of the Jews, which would affect God’s plan and so though not mentioned directly, God intervenes and turns around the evil plan of Mordecai.
God is not asleep, he sees everything, he allows somethings to happen and prevents others from happening. He know why he does what he does but whatever the case, he never stops working on behalf of his people even through ordinary means.
So stand firm and stay with the Lord, it is the safest place to be.
October 1, 2021
October 1, 2021 by Jide Ajayi • Issues • Tags: Grace of God, October 1, thoughts •
Today is the 61st independence anniversary of the Nigerian nation. There are many things to say about the nation.
Everything you can say about a nation can be said about this one in every area and aspect of the civil life and with superlatives in positive and negative nouns.
The Lord knows every nation and more importantly his own people in every nation.
He will continue to order things in the place where his people are found.
This is another opportunity to say Thank you Lord for your loving kindness to your people and your steadfast love that never fails.
Happy Independence day to all Nigerians