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Esther 6:11-12 – A Good Example From A Bad Example
A Good Example from a Bad Example
Hitler and Haman, haters of others, destroyers of themselves. That is the lesson of history of these two men. To say a good word about either is incomprehensible. Genocide is mind-boggling, beyond boundaries of simple hate, it is a hate that is all consuming…literally.
To say a good word about a man like Haman is dangerous…and yet maybe despite the despicable character of the man and maybe because of it, a good word is all the more instructive because of the sheer shock. Can he who is all bad do anything good? Bear with me.
Esther 6:11-12 – (11) So Haman took the robe and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and led him on horseback through the city square, and proclaimed before him, “Thus it shall be done to the man whom the king desires to honor.” (12) Then Mordecai returned to the king’s gate. But Haman hurried home, mourning, with his head covered.
From this bad example of a man, we see a good example for us. Obedience is not based upon agreeing with the king, or King. Haman, so ashamed at having to lead in exultation the epitome of his hatred, went home in pain and anguish. His detestation consumed his joy of obeying. Despite his hatred and humiliation, he obeyed his king. Doubtless his obedience was from less than pure motives – to disobey the king meant death. And doubtless again, Haman learned nothing from the king’s generosity – this whole event foreshadowed Haman’s downfall. But for us we can learn a valuable lesson. Obedience is not a choice based upon our agreement with the command. Obedience is submission to the one – the One – giving the command. If we only obey because we agree, who are we really obeying?
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