September 11, 2024
If my wife, Amy, had her wish, she would do almost anything while being invisible. Previously, she served as a stage manager for a local theater company. Her attention to detail, ability to encourage and motivate others and hard work made her ideal for the position. She now works full-time with the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board as a ministry assistant. She thrives on supporting others, consulting with leaders and helping projects come to a successful conclusion. Amy is happiest when the ones she does life with are appreciated and thriving. She does not want the credit, just the joy of accomplishment. That is a unique trait many do not have in our world today.
This week we read about Haman. He has been called “a small man in a big position.” He was the No. 2 man in charge after being promoted by King Ahasuerus. Interestingly, this immediately followed Mordecai saving the king’s life. It would make sense for this to anger Mordecai. We discover Haman had everything anyone could have wanted, but his motives and demeanor were selfish.
Haman did not help matters much due to his pride. He had servants to assist him and others obeyed him. While most would be grateful, Haman was enraged with anger. Instead of seeing his blessings, he became obsessed with Mordecai, who refused to bow before him. Chances are, there is a little Haman in each of us. Of course, we may not verbally express it, but pride is a substantial opponent of us all. You may feel more qualified than a co-worker who gets the promotion. Or it could even be that someone besides you was selected as the featured vocalist on the praise team. No one is immune to pride.
Haman proves you can have power but still lack peace of mind. He sought the king’s permission to exterminate Mordecai and his people. Haman convinced the king that Mordecai was a threat and needed to be eliminated. The king conceded, and Haman devised a plan for murder simply because Mordecai refused to bow. Talk about an ego trip! Notice how anger can quickly become discontentment, resentment and evil desire for revenge. It is the pattern of unchecked and unconfessed pride. Each one of us can have our lives and security turned upside down in a matter of seconds.
In one of the more fascinating events in Scripture, God woke the king, and his counselors read him a history book to help him go back to sleep. It was then that the king realized Mordecai was the one who had saved his life and was worthy of all that Haman had been given. As a result, the king exalted Mordecai and chose to punish Haman. The tables had turned, and we now see Haman bowing before Mordecai. In the ultimate punishment dealing with pride, Haman is hanged on the gallows prepared initially for Mordecai. God will never honor pride; He resists it. Grace is found in the humble. The most prevalent and abiding sin in the life of each person is pride. Men and women we once respected and even followed have succumbed to pride, and it always leaves heartache in its path. No one is immune to pride, but we can ask God to help us fight the flesh and seek Him daily.
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This lesson was written by Bobby McKay, pastor of New Liberty Baptist Church in Morton, Mississippi, and originally published by The Baptist Paper. This study is based on the Bible Studies for Life curriculum from Lifeway Christian Resources.
