MEMORISE
Instead, Haman sought to destroy all the , Jews who were throughout the kingdom of Ahasuerus, the people of Mordecai (Esther 3:6b).
READ:
Esther 3:1-15
[1]. After these things King Ahasuerus promoted Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him and set his seat above all the princes who were with him.
[2]. And all the king’s servants who were within the king’s gate bowed and paid homage to Haman, for so the king had commanded concerning him. But Mordecai would not bow or pay homage.
[3]. Then the king’s servants who were within the king’s gate said to Mordecai, “Why do you transgress the king’s command?”
[4]. Now it happened, when they spoke to him daily and he would not listen to them, that they told it to Haman, to see whether Mordecai’s words would stand; for Mordecai had told them that he was a Jew.
[5]. When Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow or pay him homage, Haman was filled with wrath.
[6]. But he disdained to lay hands on Mordecai alone, for they had told him of the people of Mordecai. Instead, Haman sought to destroy all the Jews who were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus—the people of Mordecai.
[7]. In the first month, which is the month of Nisan, in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, they cast Pur (that is, the lot), before Haman to determine the day and the month, until it fell on the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar.
[8]. Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, “There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of your kingdom; their laws are different from all other people’s, and they do not keep the king’s laws. Therefore it is not fitting for the king to let them remain.
[9]. If it pleases the king, let a decree be written that they be destroyed, and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those who do the work, to bring it into the king’s treasuries.”
[10]. So the king took his signet ring from his hand and gave it to Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews.
[11]. And the king said to Haman, “The money and the people are given to you, to do with them as seems good to you.”
[12]. Then the king’s scribes were called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and a decree was written according to all that Haman commanded—to the king’s satraps, to the governors who were over each province, to the officials of all people, to every province according to its script, and to every people in their language. In the name of King Ahasuerus it was written, and sealed with the king’s signet ring.
[13]. And the letters were sent by couriers into all the king’s provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all the Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, and to plunder their possessions.
[14]. A copy of the document was to be issued as law in every province, being published for all people, that they should be ready for that day.
[15]. The couriers went out, hastened by the king’s command; and the decree was proclaimed in Shushan the citadel. So the king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Shushan was perplexed.
EXPOSITION
Wrong politics is when an individual, group or race conspires against another whether to marginalise, deny them of their lawful rights, or destroy them outright. This is Politics of Bitterness. Haman, having been promoted in the kingdom, seemed drunk with his esteemed position. He had no thought of proper welfare plans and development for the people and nations over whom he had jurisdiction. Rather, he sought to avenge himself against the entire Jewish people in the kingdom. That is "Transferred Aggression". Haman had every opportunity to play decent politics that would have immortalised him in the hearts of the subjects, but he sought the path of genocide; a systematic killing of a race or cultural group.
Every politician is expected to be the friend of all: not an enemy. They should be wary of their privileged but sensitive positions, and also learn lessons from the astronomical rise and ignominious fall of Haman. His desire and design to marginalise, kill and destroy are infernal, selfish, not of God, and contrary to godly politics. He misused the golden opportunity, being blinded by his own ego, malice, racial discrimination, insensitivity, narrow-mindedness, pride and lack of sound godly counsels. He violated the oath of his office, and norms of good governance, and of a true leader. He transgressed against God and His people. And he paid dearly for not pursuing peace as today commemorates International Day of Peace (Est. 5: 9ff; 6:13ff; 7:6ff). Beware of the wrong politics of genocide!
SUGGESTED HYMN FOR TODAY:
CAC GHB 428
1. Thy kingdom come, O God,
Thy rule, O Christ, begin:
Break with Thine iron rod
The tyrannies of sin.
2. Where is Thy reign of peace,
And purity, and love?
When shall all hatred cease,
As in the realms above?
3. When comes the promised time
That war shall be no more
Oppression, lust, and crime
Shall flee Thy face before?
4. We pray Thee, Lord, arise,
And come in Thy great might;
Revive our longing eyes,
Which languish for Thy sight.
5. Men scorn Thy sacred name
And wolves devour Thy fold;
By many deeds of shame
We learn that love grows cold.
6. O'er heathen lands afar
Thick darkness broodeth yet;
Arise, O morning Star,
Arise, and never set.
Amen.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Thank the Living God and Keeper of Israel, Who rules over all and fights for His people.
2. Pray to God for all our politicians, for the spirit of maturity, tolerance and responsibility to be made manifest in the dealings with the people.
3. Lord, bring down every racial, anti-peace and divisive genocidal leaders in positions of authority.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY:
Ezekiel 44-47
AUTHOR
CAC Worldwide
Remain blessed
 DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE DATE Thursday, September 21, 2023 (International Day of Peace) TOPIC: THE POLITICS OF GENOCIDE){kind=link}