Hatred

When Haman saw that Mordecai was not bowing down or paying him homage, he was filled with rage. Esther 3:5 HCSB

Hate is too great a burden to bear. It injures the hater more than it injures the hated. Coretta Scott King*

When Haman was honored by King Ahasuerus, the entire royal staff was ordered to bow down before him. Everyone obeyed this ruling except for Mordecai, Esther’s cousin. Haman was so angry about Mordecai’s insolence that he decided to wipe out all of the Jewish people in the entire kingdom. In order to get the king’s permission to kill all of the Jews, Haman deposited 375 tons of silver into the royal treasury. In his hatred, he even had a gallows built in order to hang Mordecai. His plan was secure, however, in the end, Mordecai was honored by the king, the Jews won a great victory over their enemies, and Haman was hanged on the gallows he had built.

Have you ever felt like Haman? Have you ever despised an entire group of people because one person didn’t honor you as you thought he should?

Lord, keep us far from hate and the destruction it brings.

*thinkexist.com