Hello family, it's Bible study time. Grab your Bibles and let's move straight to the book of Esther to dig up some of Daddy's treasures.
Some time later King Xerxes promoted Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite over all the other nobles, making him the most powerful official in the empire. All the king’s officials would bow down before Haman to show him respect whenever he passed by, for so the king had commanded. But Mordecai refused to bow down or show him respect.- Esther 3:1-2 NLT
We all have seasons in life where we are promoted to places of prominence or influence. Class representative, bell boy, church executive, table head, group leader, you name it. And as it comes with responsibility, it also comes with honour.
Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.- I Timothy 5:17 NKJV
But there are certain people who out of ignorance, familiarity or sheer disregard will not give you the kind of honour you think you deserve like Mordecai did to Haman.
When Haman saw that Mordecai would not bow down or show him respect, he was filled with rage.- Esther 3:5 NLT
This led Haman to plot to kill Mordecai. He did not end there, he thought it would be a better idea to kill all of Mordecai’s people (the Jews) too- I mean how crazy can you be to want to exterminate a whole nation because of one man. Haman’s sinister plans eventually led to his death and downfall.
This is what I call a "Mordecai test". This is a test of humility that we will all go through at one point or another. Some people will not address you the way you would want to be addressed, they will think you are undeserving or overestimated. Your reaction is proof whether you are a Haman or not.
This is not to condone dishonor of any sort but to know how to live a life of balance. The balance of love and honour. Not everyone will like you, be willing to accept that fact and love them as creations of God regardless. Thrive in your calling even in areas you are not appreciated or honoured. It is God’s wish for us to die so much to the flesh that the reactions we receive from others has no negative effect on us.
At the end of the day, its God’s opinion that matters. At the end of life, its His congratulatory message that will matter- ‘Welldone, good and faithful servant.’ May we not unconsciously become Hamans in Jesus name. Amen!
Amen