God Turns the Tables on the Proud 预览

Haman’s Life was Filled with Hate and Bitterness

We have seen that Haman’s hatred isn’t just about one man. It is about a family feud. This hatred had been kept alive by unforgiveness, bitterness, hatred, and the lies of Satan, It is more than just ethnic prejudice. It is wrath. It is unforgiveness. It is hatred. It is bitterness. And it has been passed down from generation to generation.

Bitterness is defined as a bad outlook because of past circumstances. Because someone has hurt you in the past, bitterness looks for opportunity to hurt others.

What was the root of Haman’s bitterness? The root came from an act of disobedience that occurred long before he was born. And growing up in Xerxes‘ Persia didn’t help. 

Haman already hated the Jews and there was a lot of anti-Semitic feelings throughout the kingdom. His own lineage was part of the reason he hated the Jews so much. Mordecai refusing to bow down to him was just the last straw that encouraged him to set this plan of government-sanctioned genocide into action. It likely wasn't a spontaneous thought, but one he had been plotting and scheming about for a long time. 

Some are so focused on harming their imagined enemies, they cannot see the harm they are doing to themselves. Harm, intended for others, often backfires.

The intensity of the hurt does not decrease with time; in fact, it may increase. The memory of the hurt is always fresh. Remembering the hurt always renews the intense pain.

Bitterness is a root, not a fruit. Like a root, it is often unseen. Like a root, other things spring from it and cause trouble, often defiling, staining, or polluting.

We can all identify with similar situations. All of us have these kinds of hurts in our past. With some people, the mention of a name or a situation will cause an intense feeling of loathing, anger, or even hatred to well up inside of us.

What hurt have you faced that you refuse to forgive and let go of rather than giving it to Christ and letting Him heal you?

What mistakes have you made whose consequences have destroyed your spirit and, instead, you wallow in despair and hopelessness?

What is the condition of your heart? Are you harboring any bitterness toward someone who has harmed you or dishonored you? Are you bitter toward God as you, perhaps, feel cheated from what you desire and think you deserve? Be humble. Repent. 

There are too many Hamans in the world. Let’s not add to the number.

Quote: “Resentment is when you allow what’s eating you to eat you up. Revenge is the raging fire that consumes the arsonist. Bitterness is the trap that snares the hunter. And mercy is the choice that can set them all free.” Max Lucado 

Prayer: Lord, I pray that You will help me to deal with bitterness in my life knowing, that like a cancerous growth, it can eat me up from within. Amen