Haman has received his
desire to have a command for the execution of the Jews. Posts have
gone through the entire Persian empire with written declarations that
say that all Jews must be exterminated upon the thirteenth day of
Adar which is the twelfth month of the year. In chapter three and
verse fifteen we see the reaction of King Ahasuerus, Haman and the
people within the city of Shushan. We read:
The posts went out,
being hastened by the king's commandment, and the decree was given in
Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the
city Shushan was perplexed.
Our
verse begins, “The posts went out, being hastened by the king's
commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace.” In
obedience to the commandment given by the king, these “posts”
or messengers went out in a “hastened” manner. The king
was given credit for the commandment even though we know Haman was
the driving force behind it. We also notice that the decree was not
only given to the provinces which were kingdom large, but also
locally “in Shushan the palace.” That which was to take
place in the vast distant places within the Persian empire was to
transpire in the king's dwelling as well.
The
verse goes on to say, “And the king and Haman sat down to
drink;” Like those who sit down to celebrate a great victory,
Haman and the king “sat down to drink;” No doubt they
recounted their efforts together, and with a cavalier demeanor they
held no regard for the edict they had just commanded upon the chosen
people of God. Although they appeared to be celebrating their
efforts, they have forgotten one major thing: God was watching and
governing over the Jews no matter how successful their plan might
have seemed.
Finally
the verse ends with, “but the city Shushan was perplexed.” The
reaction of the people within the city of Shushan was perplexity
which means “confused”. The people who dwelt in the winter city
of the king could not figure out what this edict was all about in the
first place. They were not privy to the offense that Haman incurred
by Mordecai's refusal to bow, and they were not of the same passion
to eliminate an entire group of people like Haman. This command only
served to confuse those who lived closest to the king, and we can be
sure their perplexity raised a number of questions among them.
Have we
ever been involved in situations that seemed to be going one way and
ended in quite another? Has there ever been a declaration given or
received that caused perplexity within us? Though some may sit back
and drink in celebration to their perceived success, it is important
that we remember that there is a Sovereign God who governs over every
situation and circumstance in which we are involved. Ultimately the
outcome depends upon the Almighty, and if there is any sitting down
and celebrating to be done, it should be over the fact that God is on
the scene and will govern over any difficulty that comes our way.
Next time we will begin a new chapter
and see Mordecai's reaction to the decree, so read ahead, and we
shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow...there is more...
Look for
the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation
to Generation” and the new marriage book “So, You Want to Be
Married” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ;
www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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