Esther 2:19-3:15
Dear RTB’ers,
I posted yesterday of a couple of incidents where King Ahasuerus was easily manipulated (or certainly, at least swayed in one direction or another). We see that again today, on a much larger scale than yesterday. Haman carries a grudge against Mordecai, learns that he is a Jew, and proceeds to manipulate the king into signing a death decree against all Jews: If it is pleasing to the king, let it be decreed that they be destroyed … And the king said to Haman, “… do with them as it seems good to you.” (vv. 3:9a, 11b)
I’m thinking back to any time that I had “carried a grudge” against someone or some group, how it might have festered in me all too long before it finally went away. I’ll continue to think about that today. But as I was thinking about it just now, it came to me that carrying a grudge is simply a lack of forgiveness. That is, if someone has been wronged and lets that wrong fester, that wound can become infected and there is no peace until the issue gets resolved or until sufficient time (and memory) passes.
Carrying a grudge = lack of forgiveness = making myself out to be the judge and jury. Not a good situation!
Your thoughts…? Any extra weight, anything heavy that you’re carrying around…?
Blessings!