CONVICTION IN A CLASH OF CULTURES

Text: Esther 3:1-15

Modecai must have a very strong reason for refusing to bow down to Haman, even though bible choose to remain silent on this. It is not our place to speculate, add nor subtract to areas of the bible which God chose not to reveal. 

For the secret things belong unto the lord and what he has revealed belong unto us and to our children forever (Deuteronomy 29:29)

This chapter of the book of Esther  which centers on Haman's evil conspiracy simply shows us the wickedness in the hearts of some men in the corridors of power who use their liberty to oppress the people they hate while masking it in a charade of working to promote the ideals of a seating government. Haman fooled king Xerxes into believing that the Jews were disobedient people and had certain cultures which prevent them from keeping the king's laws. These allegations were all lies but because the king did not bother to verify them, he signed a decree which literally sentenced the whole Jewish nation to death. Haman did this just to get back at Modecai. To assuage  his wounded ego and pride, he doesn't care if a whole nation perishes. He just wants to prove a point.

This is the height of wickedness and insensitivity, yet many of us live this kind of life, still. We go the extra mile to prove a point to people we perceive to be in our way or have disrespected us. Surprisingly, Haman would be digging his own grave with his own hands. All the time he spent casting lots, planning and scheming against the Jews will later turn out to be a wasted effort but rather a way of bringing judgement upon himself. 

In a country like mine where tribalism is rife, these kind of lies and allegations inform many governmental policies and decisions. At the present moment in Nigeria, some parts of the country are experiencing intense sufferings and calamities. People are fleeing their homes and have become displaced in their own communities because of denials and marginalization. 

However, christians must not despair. Just like Modecai and Esther would look unto God for deliverance;  if we  who are called by his name would repent of our sins and call upon the Lord in truth, He will surely come through for us. 

Prayer: Father, for grace to make right decisions every moment and everyday; To always seek to know the truth over every matter before passing judgement, especially when it involves people under us and for your divine intervention over the Igbo nation in Nigeria we pray in Jesus name. Amen.