The Unseen Hand of God in Our LivesНамуна

The Rise Of Haman

Haman’s ancestry as an Agagite (a term associated with the Amalekite enemies of God’s people) is mentioned to show that he was an enemy of the Jews by birth and that it was more than just personal hatred of Mordecai that motivated him.

Haman is promoted. But Mordecai refuses to bow down to him and after repeated enquiries, he declares that he is a Jew.

In verse 5, we read that when Haman saw that Mordecai neither bowed down nor paid homage to him. Haman was filled with rage but he disdained to lay hands on Mordecai alone.

This was yet another incident of God’s unseen hand working in Mordecai’s life. Even though he had provoked Haman to the utmost, he was not put to death at once.

In verse 7, we read that Haman cast lots to fix a date for the execution. Haman casts the lot in the first month, Nisan, the month the Jews celebrate Passover.The lot fell for the twelfth month, Adar. Haman will have to wait eleven months for the day to attack the Jews

We read in Proverbs 16:33 that “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord”. If the simple casting of a lot is guided by Him, how much more the events of our entire life?

We not only see the hand of God in the lots fixing a date 11 months later, but the edict that was passed also has the fingerprints of God.

In verse 13, we read that the edict that was passed was to kill and to annihilate all the Jews, both young and old, women and children in one day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to seize their possessions as plunder.

If the edict had said that the Jews should be slain by the soldiers of the Persian Empire, then it would not have been easy for them to have escaped, but, the matter being left in private hands, the subsequent decree that they might defend themselves was a sufficient counteraction of the first edict. 

Thus, the Lord arranged that the wisdom of Haman should turn out to be folly after all. Even in this edict we find the unseen hand of God.

Remember that life is full of seemingly insignificant events that in retrospect we recognize as changing the course of our lives.

Take a moment to reflect on the circumstances you are currently facing. Think of the events that are happening in your life that seem to you very insignificant. Has God placed you in these situations for a specific purpose? Are you choosing to be gracious and seeking to grow in wisdom and humility in the midst of them? 

Quote: “The God who knows you best knows the best for you.” – Woodrow Kroll

Prayer: Lord, I thank You that you are there even in the events that seem to be insignificant. Amen