Esther 7:10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king’s wrath pacified.
Introductory Thoughts
Haman was a wicked man who had a desire to wipe out an entire race of people. By God’s grace, Haman’s plan backfired and the wrath of the king was turned upon Haman. The king’s wrath was pacified when Haman was executed. In many ways, this serves as a wonderful picture of God’s dealings with man. When innocent blood is shed, the Lord’s anger is kindled. If the innocent blood is not avenged, the wrath of God will eventually turn on an entire people group. The only way this wrath can be pacified is to shed the blood of the one who has shed innocent blood. With all of the unavenged innocent blood, it cannot be long before man feels the wrath of God.
Devotional Thoughts
• (For children): King Solomon had Joab slain to fulfil the request of his dying father David. Joab had slain two innocent men. Solomon knew the Lord would bless the house of David for taking care of this murderer (1 Kings 2:5-6, 29-34).
• (For everyone): How much innocent blood has been shed over the last 50-100 years? How much of that blood has yet to be avenged? What does this suggest about God’s feelings toward our nation?
• Consider what you know about the second coming of the Lord Jesus (when He returns to judge the world). How is the Lord going to avenge all the innocent blood?
Prayer Thoughts
• Ask God to extend His mercy to this country and others.
• Thank the Lord for His longsuffering up to this point.
SONG: GRACE GREATER THAN OUR SIN
Quotes from the next volume
(VOLUME 1, WEEK 21)
Subject: Friendship
Some people seem unable to function without daily interaction with friends. Yet, others think such attachments overbearing and far too demanding. Unfortunately, the world frequently misconstrues what constitutes true friendship. Additionally, far too many times, friends abuse this important relationship.