In Esther 5 and 6 the pride of Haman is fully seen when he looked upon all the possessions and renown he had in life but it was worthless because Mordecai would not give up his faith in God and bow to him. Did Haman envy the faith of Mordecai? What good would the death of Mordecai bring to Haman? Could true fulfillment be found for Haman in anything apart from a relationship with God? Our actions apart from Gid will bring satisfaction. Haman placed his whole existence upon worldly gain with no faith in God. Haman’s wife and friends express their true motivations when they suggest the solution of a gallows to eliminate Mordecai. What advice do you give to your friends? Is the advice grounded in your faith that God is sovereign over all things in life? Ester 5:14 proclaims how far from God the desires of Haman and his counsel was, ” ‘Let a gallows fifty cubits high be made, and in the morning tell the king to have Mordecai hanged upon it. Then go joyfully with the king to the feast.’ This idea pleased Haman, and he had the gallows made.” Can joy be obtained apart from God through your own strength? Continue Reading…
Deliverance born out of faithful devotion to God: Esther 5 and 6
Reconciliation in the face of persecution: 1 Chronicles 19 and 20
When conflicts escalate why don’t we seek reconciliation? The story found in 2 Samuel 10 of David’s messengers being abused is retold in 1 Chronicles 19. My attention was not drawn to the story of these men when I read through 2 Samuel 10. These men were completely humiliated and abused by the people of Ammon. David was reaching out to comfort Hanun the son of Nahash after his fathers death but fear lead the princes of Ammon consoled Hanun to act treacherously towards the messengers, David, and Israel. Why does fear drive us to see situations in their worst light?
After these men were humiliated was the situation destined for war? The people of Ammon abused these men insulting David and Israel. What would have happened if the people of Ammon would have reached out to David humbly seeking reconciliation? What was David’s initial reaction to the humiliation of his messengers? The people of Ammon knew that they had insulted David and instead of seeking forgiveness they readied for battle. When we have conflicts why do we seek to get ready for more conflict? What is necessary for conflict resolution to occur? Pride needs to be laid aside by both parties for resolution to be possible. Continue Reading…
Tools perfected in the hand of God: 2 Kings 5 and 6
Do you place any requirements on your ability to serve God? Do you need assurance that there will be many people, a lot of danger, a great distance between you and home, or a difficult task before you are willing to be a tool of God? How often do you think of the renown that you get in your service at church, the soup kitchen, or the mission field and wish you were recognized more for your work?
The man Naaman in 2 Kings chapter 5 was a man of renown within the armies of Aram because God had used him as a tool, a valiant warrior and captain, to bring about a great victory. This man of renown within the Aramean society was also an outcast because he was a leper. Can you imagine how this man hurt because he couldn’t live a normal life let alone enjoy the renown of life that God had granted him? Continue Reading…
In life will you seek forgiveness and humility: 2 Samuel 3 and 4
How often do you feel yourself becoming filled with anger, fear, pride, hate, or discontent? What is the motivation behind your actions when you are like this? Do you label your feelings as righteous to justify your actions? Can we label any action by man as righteous? During the time of conflict between Israel and Judah in 2 Samuel 3 and 4 men make accusations, decisions, and assumptions that illustrate the need for true forgiveness and humility.
Abner is accused by Ish-bosheth, the son of Saul and king of Israel, of sleeping with a concubine of Saul’s in 2 Samuel 3. Did Abner truly sleep with the concubine? Was Ish-bosheth afraid of losing his authority as king making him not trust Abner? Was it so easy for Ish-bosheth to forget that it was Abner who established him as king over Israel after Saul’s death? Why did Abner seek to establish Ish-bosheth as king? What motivated thes men? Why do people so quickly turn upon the ones who truly care for them when their personal security feels threatened? After these accusations were made Abner chooses to no longer support the lineage of Saul as king and he seeks out David to make a covenant to serve him and help establish his rule as king. What motivated Abner to make peace with David? Was it spite of Ish-bosheth or a desire for renown that prompted Abner t? Continue Reading…
Confidence and pride destroyed by God in Joshua 5 and 6
How did the Canaanites react to the entry of the Israelites into their land? In Joshua 3:16 it says that the waters of the Jordan stood and rose up in one heap. This event would not go unnoticed by the Canaanites because having the water rise up in a heap is not something that was normally seen. Joshua 5:1 says that, “all the kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan to the west, and all the kings of the Canaanites who were by the sea, heard how the Lord had dried up the Jordan before the sons of Israel until they had crossed, that their hearts melted and there was not spirit in them any longer because of the sons of Israel.” Fear spread throughout the land because God had showed His might and power before the Israelites. Continue Reading…
Surely you are not that perfect: Deuteronomy 9 and 10
It is easily natural to think of ourselves as better than other people at times: I don’t drink alcohol as much as they do, they don’t even go to church any more but I go every week, I just watch PG films they watch R rated ones, I don’t look down upon anyone like they do, or I at least don’t struggle with those constant sins that they do. We often look at someone else and rationalize our sin in light of what we see when we look at them. This problematic approach of self rationalization is seen and addressed in Deuteronomy chapters 9 and 10. Continue Reading…
