But he disdained to lay hands on Mordecai alone, for they had told him of the people of Mordecai. Instead, Haman sought to destroy all the Jews who were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus—the people of Mordecai. In the first month, which is the month of Nisan, in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, they cast Pur (that is, the lot), before Haman to determine the day and the month, until it fell on the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar.
Esther 3:6-7
I can imagine the scene, Haman and his men, sitting around with their planners open rolling dice to determine when they would carry out their plan to kill the Jews, lives on the line, their fate being sealed by such a simple method, such carelessness. Hamen wasn’t pleased with simply plotting against Mordecai, “but he disdained to lay hands on Mordecai alone”
dis·dain
1. to look upon or treat with contempt; despise; scorn.
2.to think unworthy of notice, response, etc.; consider beneath oneself: todisdain replying to an insult.
3.a feeling of contempt for anything regarded as unworthy; haughty contempt; scorn
Mordecai alone wasn’t worth his trouble, he was below Haman. “Instead, Haman sought to destroy all the Jews who were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus”. All of them. That was quite a lot of people. There is a sentence in my study bible that caught my attention; “a roll of the dice had no power to determine the destiny of God’s people”.
I can imagine the hatred that Haman had for the Jewish people, hatred so strong that he was compelled to try and kill the entire population, a people that had done nothing to him. A seed of hate was planted and that seed grew, it grew until he decided to act, I’m not sure if you have ever acted on a seed like this, but I have and I can tell you from experience that it doesn’t end well.
He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
Proverbs 16:32
When I think of biblical times I think of a time where people had to defend themselves, men were expected to be physically strong whether they were tasked with farming or tasked with defending a city on battle. Women were expected to display a strength that allowed them to raise children, tend to her husband and run a home. Strength was a needed staple in life.
Imagine now reading this verse, “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty”. Slow to anger? But they cut me off. But they disrespected me. But they hurt me. “And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city” But their words deserve a response. But I need to defend myself against their actions. But I need to prove that they can’t walk all over me. But. But. But.
But, we need to see where God sees true strength; it is not in the exertion of our power, the release of our anger. He is telling us that there is true strength in our self-control; there is true strength in patience and compassion, and grace.
Haman’s anger drove him to desire to kill; he allowed the anger, whatever the cause, to rule him. I’m not at all implying that we are going to copy his actions but, has your anger toward a person or a situation influenced what you said or did? We’re not rolling a set of dice to determine the outcome of a population group, but has it caused us to act carelessly? To hurt the heart or mind of another because we were acting on feelings.
Esther 6 and 7 are great examples of what not to do, what we shouldn’t allow to happen. This is an extreme example, but hatred and anger are extreme emotions.
Let’s Pray:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Anger and hatred are emotions to readily accepted in our world today. Lord give us the desire to not conform to this norm and to break the cycle of anger in our lives. Please replace these negative emotions with love and grace, with self-control and compassion. Soften our heart to those who may anger us, those who offend us, whether the offence is small or large. Let us be an example. Lord.
We each have a “Haman” in our lives, but we know that You are in control. A roll of the dice does not determine our future, nor does it determine the future of those around us…You do. Thank You Lord for being the example of self-control. Thank You for being the model of how we should live and love.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
About Tonya Ellison
I will be the first to confess up, Tonya. As a matter of fact, just yesterday God gave me Proverbs 15:1 to read and apply to my life now – – a soft answer turns away wrath. I used to think anger was throwing chairs, kicking and screaming, a real violent sort of person. Bbut I found out it can be sizzling within a sweet little person like me. (lol) Great words today.
That’s a great verse 🙂
Proverbs 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.
I agree with you that anger is typically displayed in some kind of big scene. It wasn’t until I was an adult that I realized that anger can be quiet and that it can fester until something happens. It can turn the sweetest people into exploding bombs.
🙂
Such perfect timing for me right now. I have a constant struggle with my anger and each time I feel that I have fixed one area of my anger, God shows me that I will always need His strength to be the woman He wants me to be. A daily struggle that I must lift up to Him. Thanks for the reminder. I needed this today!
Good morning Gena! Thanks for your honesty, I know many can relate including myself. But you gave us a great reminder, whether you’re dealing with anger or any other struggle in life we must give it to God daily only with Him can we be the women he calls us to be.
Thank you for an excellent study this morning, Tonya.
Your quote, “But, we need to see where God sees true strength; it is not in the exertion of our power, the release of our anger. He is telling us that there is true strength in our self-control; there is true strength in patience, compassion, and grace.” That is so true!
I don’t get angry easily, but in moments of total frustration it’s usually my “poor husband” who’s the target of the frustration and anger that has built up. That is not strength-that is stupid. My true strength is evident when I respond with self-control, patience, compassion, and grace. Oh the difference in the results and in our relationship!
Proverbs 15:1, “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
It makes a HUGE difference, I can see a difference in my husbands, kids and myself when I choose a soft answer. 🙂
Bottled up emotions such as hatred and anger can turn into a bondage in our lives which I am guilty of, I have been a victim of injustice, as I struggle and surrender these feelings to The Lord He reminded me of His grace towards me as a sinner that enabled me to release forgiveness. It wasn’t easy but the strength that came from The Lord made it possible. Thank you for another wonderful bible study. God bless you!
Great point! God forgives us all the time. My son had a run-in with another child yesterday at school and some very hurtful things were said to my son. He was mad but we had to talk about forgiveness and not staying mad at him because God forgives us. I think I need to tell myself that more.
Excellent blog this morning! I have so much anger and hate in me, i read the Word and i see all these verses that apply to hate but obviously it doesn’t settle in my heart per say! No, I’ve never killed anyone but i always wished there was a hit man-well actually its probably .tt he same isn’t it? You know its gotten worse with my attitude of hate and anger- i notice it all the time- with hubby, especially with him, with everybody. I noticed it yesterday at the VA hospital. Not good!! I have alot of studying to do now! I have so much in me its not good. Well ive read the blog now time to open up my Esther notebook and read now!! Thanks for this blog, for this lesson!!
I am not trying to be mean but if you know these emotions are controlling you then what are you doing to get the hate, anger and bitterness under control? You recognize that it isn’t good so how are you applying a cure to the disease?
Patricia, have you considered seeking counseling for this anger? The anger is doing more harm to you on the inside, than you think it is. It’s not healthy for you, or anyone around you. I would talk to someone about getting on a counseling schedule. You evidently have a lot of hurt that is built up on the inside that needs healing! I say this all in love, dear Sister! I am concerned about you!
thanks, tonya, for (obviously following the Lord) and bravely, lovingly sharing these words of admonition with us! as our sisters have written, it isn’t JUST the person who blows up at a moments notice who has an anger issue. 🙂 anger is an issue that can seethe below the surface in all of our hearts. we DO know what to do about it…praying for each of us that we will truly seek God and His help to do so. <3
Anger can cause us to do and say some really dumb things! Take a look at these verses: Proverbs 18: 20-21 — It speaks volumes to those of us who are choosing to be slow to anger, and slow to speak. This is WHY: “With the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach will be satisfied; He will be satisfied with the product of his lips. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.”
Did you see that? We will eat the fruit of what has come out of our mouths!
I want the fruit that comes from my mouth to sweet, not bitter and rotten!!!
Excellent reminders today, Tonya! May God receive the glory for all that comes from our mouths; and may He give us the ability to walk in the fruits of the Spirit as found in Galatians 5:22-23 — But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
Take a look at this one, also: Romans 2:8
But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.
Giving into the flesh when we are angry, causes us to reject the truth and follow evil. Walking in the Spirit gives us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control!
We must whip our flesh into submission! Submission to the Holy Spirit Who will give us the ability eat the fruit of the Spirit; and the ability to reject what is evil, and not fall into the temptations of anger, that only leads us to eat the fruit of anger!!
Oh this is so good today!!! Thank You Lord!!!