Am I righteous or wicked? Godly or Ungodly?

Meditation from Esther Chapter 8

We will compare and contrast the life of Esther and Haman to understand the attitude and works of the righteous and the wicked, the godly and the ungodly.

1. Evil Intentions or Plans:
Haman made the evil plan to destroy the Jews (3:9a). But Esther wanted to "avert the evil design" (8:3).

The wicked devises evil against someone, but the righteous cannot plan anything evil against anyone. Rather when the righteous knows of an evil plan he or she will
a) Pray for the evil plan to be averted
b) Act upon it, if it's in their influence, to avert it.

This is the attitude and responsibility of the righteous.

How is your heart? How are your intentions?
Do you cry at the news of evil & misfortunes in someone's life or do you rejoice?

2. Right or Wrong Act & Approach:
In order to fulfil his evil agenda, Haman promises to pay huge wealth for the king to send out the decree to destroy the Jews (3:9b).

Haman was bribing to fulfil his evil plans.

Esther had more influence on the king than Haman. Yet she didn't use her influence wrongly.

Second, even though she had influence, she wanted to do the right thing and though she was doing the right thing she wanted the King's approval.

She says to the king,
If it pleases the king...
If I have won his favour...
If the thing seems right...
(If) I have his approval... (8:5)

This shows Esther's right intentions and humble attitude.

How is your attitude, approach and act? Are you trying to fulfil your agenda alone or are you willing to listen to others' perspectives to arrive at the right perspective.

3. Reject or Accept:
Haman reasons out to the king that because the laws of the Jews are different "it is not appropriate for the king to tolerate them" and so they must be destroyed (3:8,9).

But Esther could not bear the calamity that was coming upon the people (8:6).

Are you not able to tolerate someone because he or she is different from you? Different in culture, colour, food habits, language, religion, region (geography), class, etc.?

Do we reject people because of these differences or just tolerate them unwillingly or accept them?

We are called to love our neighbours as ourselves (Leviticus 19:18) and to accept one another (Romans 15:7).

4. Confusion or Joy:
When Haman and the King celebrated, the city of Susa was thrown into confusion (3:15).

But when Esther and Mordecai were honoured, the city of Susa shouted & rejoiced and there was light, gladness, joy and honour (8:15,16).

What does your presence, actions and influence do to the lives of people? Do people rejoice or does it bring confusion?

Corrections apart, our dealings should bring joy to the people. Correction will add grief, but it should restore a person (possible when he or she cooperates).

"When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people groan."
Proverbs 29:2 NRSV

Let our intentions be pure, good & godly and not evil; let us not rejoice over someone's misfortune but pray & help such people; let us do the right thing & be humble to learn other's perspectives and to not reject & not just tolerate but accept people.

Have a blessed day!