DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- RESPONDING TO MY ADVERSARIES

DAD;S RAMBLINGS – RESPONDING TO MY ADVERSARIES

The fateful day arrived – the thirteenth day of the 12^th month that had been decreed by Haman for the decimation of all the Jews in the Persian provinces (Esther 8:13). On that day, the enemies of the Jews anticipated that they would overpower the Jews. But the opposite occurred, in that the Jews themselves overpowered those who hated them (9:1)

"And in Shushan the citadel the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men (including the 10 sons of Haman) ....but they did not lay a hand on the plunder." (Esther 9:6-10).

In the rest of the provinces on the 13^th day of the month, the same scenario played out as the Jews gathered together to protect themselves, and 75,000 enemies of the Jews were killed. "...but they did not lay a hand on the plunder"(vs. 16).

On the next day, the 14^th day of the month of Adar, the king gave permission for the Jews to again defend themselves in Shushan. Again, the Jews overcame their enemies and 500 anti-semites were killed by the Jews, "but they did not lay a land on the plunder" (vs. 15).

It seems significant to me that the inspired record would mention three times, "but they did not lay a hand on the plunder." To me, this is interesting. As victors of the battles, they would ordinarily be entitled to the victor's prize – the loot from the enemy. Actually, the letter from Mordecai gave them permission to not only to defend themselves against all aggressors, but to also "plunder their possessions" (vs. 11). But they did not. So why didn't they? I confess that I don't know. But it is possible that they understood that this was God's victory – not theirs. There was great rejoicing because they were delivered (vss. 16-17), but they did not take advantage of their prerogative. They had the Book of Proverbs which says: "If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; for so you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the LORD will reward you" (Proverbs 25:21-22). There is reward from the Lord when we refuse to take advantage of our defeated adversaries.

This speaks to my own heart. When I am attacked, I do have the permission to defend myself. When I am vindicated, it is natural to gloat over the defeat of those who attack me. But when I respond with grace, it takes away the necessity for them to attack back and allows them to feel shame for their wrong. May God, help me to respond as Jesus did when attacked – "God, forgive them."

Love, Dad