Contemplative Bible Reading

Esther 3:5-6 (New Living Translation)

5 When Haman saw that Mordecai would not bow down or show him respect, he was filled with rage. 6 He had learned of Mordecai’s nationality, so he decided it was not enough to lay hands on Mordecai alone. Instead, he looked for a way to destroy all the Jews throughout the entire empire of Xerxes.

Here we have Mordecai—a good and righteous Jew. We also have Haman—an evil person who sought power no matter how many other people died under his ambitious feet.

Haman despised Mordecai and the things that Mordecai did. Haman sought to kill Mordecai because of those things. In addition, Haman sought to kill all the Jews, i.e., all those in the same ethnic group of Mordecai.

First, Haman is evil with murder on his mind. That is wrong. Also consider that all the Jews were threatened with death because of Mordecai’s actions and Haman’s reactions.

Was it right for Mordecai to act in a way that brought the threat of death to all Jews?

Why is it that no one pulled Mordecai aside and said, “Hey, buddy. Tone it down a bit. You aren’t the only Jew here. If you rile up this Haman fellow, we are all in trouble.”

Tough question. Of course it is right to be righteous. What if, however, being righteous brings death and destruction to others?

These philosophical questions are beyond me—at least they are beyond my thoughts on this morning as I type these words. My thoughts go to Matthew 10:16 where Jesus told followers,

Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves.

Please God, give me the wisdom to be righteous and be righteous in a way that blesses instead of poisons.