Read Esther 3.
Hitler was not the first to seek to annihilate the Jews. It has always been a Satanic plot to destroy God's chosen people and thwart the unfolding of His plans.
King Ahasuerus promoted Haman to a position of power over all other leaders in the empire. The man's ego demanded worship as a god and expected the people to bow down before him. Esther's cousin Mordecai refused to worship anyone or anything except the God of heaven.
When Haman discovered that Mordecai was a Jew, his anger went totally out of control. He planned not only to deal with Mordecai but to destroy every Jewish man, woman and child in the entire empire. After all these were a conquered people that lived at the will of the king. A form of dice were rolled by those who worshiped false gods to determine when to enact the slaughter. Haman lied to convince Ahasuerus of the plan. The king was in no danger; only Haman's pride. With the date set, and Haman's offer to pay for it, the king gave his permission.
How could Mordecai stand when confronted by such overwhelming power?
1. He was a man of character.
Character is that inner moral strength coupled with self-discipline. Without a firm set of personal values a person will be constantly giving it to the whims of popular opinion. Without self-discipline one will never make the sacrifices needed to do what is right.
2. He was a man of courage.
Courage is the willingness to face danger or a crisis. A courageous person is more fearful of the consequences of not doing what is right than they are of the challenge in front of them.
When a person of great character exercises great courage lives all around them will be influenced for good.
No comments:
Post a Comment