God's Word

Babylon deported God’s people, and held them captive for 70 years.  Then the Persians took over and God’s people were ruled by yet another wicked nation.  The Babylonian and Persian empires spread idol worship, avarice and debauchery wherever they went.  These Empires influenced God’s people as God’s people lived among godless,  idolatrous peoples.

God called Ezra and Nehemiah to a unique role in rebuilding the nation of Israel, God’s chosen people.  Ezra and Nehemiah were faced with leading a people that were influenced by the cultures of the Babylonians, the Persians and the peoples living around them.  Their compromise with these cultures is seen in their intercultural marriages.

Let me be clear.  Intercultural marriage is not the issue.  The issue is the compromise with or the acceptance of a culture and/or worldview that is entirely hostile to the God of Israel and His word. 

Racism of any kind has no room in the service of the God who made all peoples.  However, the servant of the Most High God must remain “steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.”  (1 Corinthians 15:58)  Love is our rule and the Word of God is our guide.  The command to love your neighbor as yourself applies to all people, everywhere.  However, this does not mean that we ever compromise the truth.

Compromise is exactly what was happening in Nehemiah’s day.  The Law of God was being set aside in order to make allowance for marriages with people who did not respect, believe in or revere the God of Israel.  Nehemiah 13:28 tells of a priest who married an unbeliever, which was expressly forbidden by the Word of God.

Compromise has happened throughout history, and God continually calls His people back to Himself.  Many institutions that started out with a clear commitment to the Word of God have compromised the truth until they no longer acknowledge that we have a word from God.  Even some so called “Churches” deny that we have a clear word from God.

In Nehemiah, we have an example of God bringing His people back to Himself.  The means or way He does this is through the Word of God.  Evidence is abundant and clear in support of the claim that the Bible is the Word of God.  It is not my goal or purpose here to present such evidence.  Rather, it is my intention today to observe the Word of God at work in peoples’ lives.  This is more about learning from an example than about convincing.  If you want to stay true to God and avoid compromising the truth, then Nehemiah 8 can be of great help.

In Nehemiah 8, we see four distinct steps that Ezra led the people through as they approached the Word of God.

The only way to avoid drifting away from the truth is a commitment to the Word of God.  The only way to recapture the truth is to return to the Word of God.  If we follow the four steps that Ezra led the people of God through, we will discover the truth.

The first step they took was to read the Word of God.

We find this in verses 1-3 of Nehemiah 8.

In October, when the Israelites had settled in their towns, all the people assembled with a unified purpose at the square just inside the Water Gate.  They asked Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had given for Israel to obey.

So on October 8 Ezra the priest brought the Book of the Law before the assembly, which included the men and women and all the children old enough to understand.  He faced the square just inside the Water Gate from early morning until noon and read aloud to everyone who could understand.  All the people listened closely to the Book of the Law.[i]

Notice that all the people gathered with a unified purpose.  Nehemiah does not say that this gathering was mandated.  Next, it says that the people asked Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses.  It appears this was a voluntary seeking after God. 

When your heart moves you toward the Word of God, do not ignore it.  This prompting toward the Word may very well be the Holy Spirit drawing you toward God.

In addition, notice that the people gathered in the square just inside the Water Gate.  Two things are significant about this.  First, it was a space large enough to accommodate the large crowd.  Second, it was a space with unrestricted access.  Any person who wished to could attend and listen.  If, for example, they had met in the temple, women, children and foreigners could not have attended.  Access would have been restricted.  God’s Word is for all people and anyone who wishes should have access to it.

The Word of God was read from early morning until noon, and all the people listened closely to the Book of the Law.

This was the first step in restoring the people and returning to the truth.  The second step was a natural part of the first.  They reflected on what was read.

Reflecting is the second step.  In truth, reflecting is not separate from the reading.  Reflecting is part of how we read.  We find this in Nehemiah 8:5-6.

Ezra stood on the platform in full view of all the people.  When they saw him open the book, they all rose to their feet.

Then Ezra praised the LORD, the great God, and all the people chanted, “Amen!  Amen!” as they lifted their hands.  Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.

The people thought about what they were reading.  This is the meaning of reflecting. 

We see their careful thought in the fact that they stood when Ezra stood to read.  They recognized that this was no ordinary book, but that it was God’s word to them.  

The first question each person must answer in regard to the Bible is “What kind of a book is it?” Many different attitudes exist about the Bible.  Some compare it to other ancient manuscripts and the sacred books of other religions.  Some dismiss it because they were told by a knowledgeable source that it is a book full of inaccuracies, errors and contradictions.  I wish that those who take these attitudes would investigate these claims.  Many have set out to prove these claims and have ended up becoming Christians.  Without research or trying to make anything like an exhaustive list, I will name four examples of people who became defenders of the Bible after having set out to disprove it.  If you want more details, read their works.  These examples are G. K. Chesterton, C. S. Lewis, Josh McDowell and Lee Strobel.  The simple truth of the matter is that the Bible is a unique book, and in all of human history, there has never been any other book like it.

If you read it as history or literature with the attitude that it is a collection of fairy tales, it is far less likely to transform your life.  It is still dangerous.  It is powerful and may yet convince you.  This is why countries that want to be atheist or Islamic ban the Bible.

At some point, a person must recognize the Bible for what it is.

Having stood in recognition of the Word of God, the people joined Ezra in worshiping God.

Worship is a natural part of reflection.  As one listens to or reads the Word of God, the realization of what He is saying leads naturally to worship.  Did you know that the God who made the universe wants to be your friend?  Did you know that He loved you enough to die for you?  We discover these truths while reflecting on what God is saying in His Word.

Reading and reflecting are the starting point.  The third step is researching.  By researching, I mean seeking to understand what is being read.

We see the people researching in Nehemiah 8:7-8. 

The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah—then instructed the people in the Law while everyone remained in their places.  They read from the Book of the Law of God and clearly explained the meaning of what was being read, helping the people understand each passage.

The Levites were the trained, professional clergy of the nation of Israel.  They had invested a lifetime in studying the Word of God, the language it was written in and the practicalities of teaching the Word of God.  It was their job to translate the Word for those who did not understand, and to make clear the meaning of those passages that were hard to understand.

Professional clergy have often been the problem in drifting away from the truth.  However, the priesthood and Levites of the Old Testament were established by God, as were the pastors, teachers and elders of the New Testament.  There are Biblical standards set for leaders and teachers of God’s people for the safety of God’s people.  One such standard is Isaiah 8:20.  “Look to God's instructions and teachings!  People who contradict his word are completely in the dark.”  While it is the clergy’s job to make clear the Scriptures, it is each person’s responsibility to study God’s word for themselves to be sure of the truth of what is being taught.

2 Peter 3:16 says about Paul’s writings:

Some of his comments are hard to understand, and those who are ignorant and unstable have twisted his letters to mean something quite different, just as they do with other parts of Scripture.  And this will result in their destruction.

This is why Paul says: 

Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval.  Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.  (2 Timothy 2:15)

So far, we have looked at three steps: read, reflect and research.  These three flow naturally one after the other.  In the same way, the fourth step flows naturally from these.  We see this fourth step in the remainder of chapter 8, but we will focus mainly on verses 9 and 10.

The people reformed their ways.  Hearing and understanding brought about a change in behavior.

Nehemiah 8:9-10 says: 

Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were interpreting for the people said to them, “Don’t mourn or weep on such a day as this!  For today is a sacred day before the LORD your God.”  For the people had all been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.

And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared.  This is a sacred day before our Lord.  Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!”

Weeping is the first sign that the Word has reached the heart.  Confession and repentance are a natural response to confronting our sinfulness in the Word of God. 

The remainder of Nehemiah 8 tells how the people immediately put the Word of God in action by observing a national festival called the “Festival of Booths.”  The book of Nehemiah then continues describing various other reforms that took place due to the reading of God’s Word.

James 1:22-25 says: 

But don’t just listen to God’s word.  You must do what it says.  Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.  For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror.  You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.  But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.

The people of Nehemiah’s day wept when they understood the Word of God because they saw themselves clearly, like in a mirror.  Many reject the truth of God’s Word because it makes them uncomfortable, but at what price?  Remember 2 Peter 3:16, which said, “…this will result in their destruction.”

Since the Bible is God’s Word to us, its message is a matter of life and death.  Reading, reflecting, researching and reforming according to the Word of God is not just for those who have time.  Understanding and applying the Word of God to our lives is the most important issue of our lives.

The first and greatest commandment God has given is to love the Lord with all your heart.  How can you do this if you will not listen to what He has to say?

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[i] Unless otherwise noted Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation.  Copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Steam, Illinois 60188.  All rights reserved.

The Enemy's Schemes

Nehemiah 6[i]

Nehemiah was uniquely positioned.  He was the right person at the right time in the right position.

This is true of many of the heroes of the Bible.

Moses, Joshua, Debora, Samson, Ruth, David, Elijah and Esther all can be described in the same way.

These people all share a common theme.  They each served a history-shaping purpose in God’s plan for His people.

For Nehemiah, his history-shaping purpose was rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem, as well as leading in the spiritual reformation of God’s people at that particular time in their history.

Not one of the people mentioned above operated alone.  Many, many people helped, advised, supported and strengthened them in their calling.  The leaders are the names we know, but others had a part.

You and I may not be Bible heroes, but God calls each of us for His purposes.  We almost never have any idea of the history-shaping nature of the work God calls us to.  You or I may not be the one whose names are put on the book, but we all have a part.

The New Testament likens the Church to a body and says:

The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.”  The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.”  In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary.  (1 Corinthians 12:21-22)

In the Body of Christ, each member has a part.  Each member is gifted by the Holy Spirit to fill a particular need or place.

As an important part of what God is doing, each one of us can expect to face opposition.  This is why in Ephesians 6:10 we are encouraged to “Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.”  Accompanying this admonition to be strong is the command, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”  (Ephesians 6:11, ESV)[ii]

In Nehemiah 6, we see the schemes of the devil at work.

By this time in Nehemiah’s account, all the gaps have been closed in the wall.  The only thing remaining was to set up the doors in the gates.  (Nehemiah 6:2)

The first thing the enemy did was to try to stop the work.  Nehemiah chapter 4 tells the story of how Nehemiah’s enemies tried to attack and stop the work.  In my analogy, this is equivalent to our enemy who tries to stop us from coming to Christ in the first place.  Our enemy will do anything to try to stop even one person from accepting Jesus as Savior.  Once a person accepts Christ, a wall of protection exists around that person.  The Bible says, “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”  (1 John 4:4, ESV)  1 John 5:18 explains that the evil one cannot touch the child of God.

Today, we are looking at the devil’s schemes once the decision has been made.

Once the wall was built, the builders were not vulnerable to attack in the same way.  However, this does not mean that their enemies gave up.  Their enemies changed their strategy.

The first strategy or scheme was to trick Nehemiah.

We see this in Nehemiah 6:1-3.

Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies found out that I had finished rebuilding the wall and that no gaps remained—though we had not yet set up the doors in the gates.  So Sanballat and Geshem sent a message asking me to meet them at one of the villages in the plain of Ono.

But I realized they were plotting to harm me, so I replied by sending this message to them: “I am engaged in a great work, so I can’t come. Why should I stop working to come and meet with you?”

When the straightforward frontal attack failed, Nehemiah’s enemies resorted to trickery.  On the pretense of wanting to talk, they sought to draw Nehemiah out into the open where he was vulnerable.

This scheme is still used by our enemy.

One common way he practices to deceive is to convince us that the consequences of our behavior will not be bad or that the behavior itself is not bad.  God’s protection is on those that love Him and obey Him.  If our enemy can trick us into disobedience, he can get us into the “open” where we are vulnerable.  The Bible warns us:

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.  For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.  (Galatians 6:7-8, ESV)

This phrase “Do not be deceived” for our purposes today could say, “Do not let the devil trick you.”  As believers and children of God, we can still sow to the flesh and from the flesh reap corruption.  However, the devil tries to trick us into thinking this is not so.  These messages are in our culture.  We cannot have sex outside of marriage without consequences, but our world says it is okay.  We cannot harbor resentment in our hearts without consequences, but the enemy convinces us that we are justified in our bitterness.  We cannot be selfish and greedy without consequences, but the enemy tells us that we need these things.  The list goes on and on.  Therefore, the way to counter this is found in the verses above.  We reap what we sow.

Nehemiah wanted a wall so he stayed working on the wall.  Metaphorically speaking he sowed a wall and reaped a wall. 

Do you have a clear vision of what you want to reap?

If you seek God with all your heart, he will make your path clear.  If you are praying, reading God’s word and seeking God, then you should pursue whatever God puts on your heart.

When Nehemiah could not be tricked out into the open, his enemies tried another scheme or strategy. 

They sought to intimidate and discourage Nehemiah.

This is found in Nehemiah 6:4-9:

Four times they sent the same message, and each time I gave the same reply.  The fifth time, Sanballat’s servant came with an open letter in his hand, and this is what it said:

“There is a rumor among the surrounding nations, and Geshem tells me it is true, that you and the Jews are planning to rebel and that is why you are building the wall.  According to his reports, you plan to be their king.  He also reports that you have appointed prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim about you, ‘Look! There is a king in Judah!’

“You can be very sure that this report will get back to the king, so I suggest that you come and talk it over with me.”

I replied, “There is no truth in any part of your story. You are making up the whole thing.”

They were just trying to intimidate us, imagining that they could discourage us and stop the work.  So I continued the work with even greater determination.

Nehemiah’s enemies openly accused him of treason, which was a capital offense.  Nehemiah knew there was no truth in these accusations.  However, they were frightening and just by being brought up, these accusations were very dangerous.  Instead of being intimidated, Nehemiah trusted God for strength to continue the work.

When trickery does not work, our enemy will use a different scheme.  He will accuse us in order to intimidate and discourage us.  Depending on the work, this can be a public accusation like Nehemiah experienced, or it can be a personal, private accusation.  We all experience the personal private accusations.

The personal, private accusations are usually related to our identity as children of God.  “You are not good enough.”  “You cannot do that.” 

When fear and uncertainty threaten to keep you from doing the work God has put before you, remember two passages of Scripture.

First, Philippians 4:13: 

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

And second, James 4:7:

Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Notice with me that Nehemiah did not waste much time with the accusation.  He all but ignored it.  He denied it and then got back to work.  For us, when the devil accuses us, we need to remind ourselves of the truth of Scripture and get back to work.  It is true.  I am a sinner, but so is it true that “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  (1 John 1:9, ESV)

When trickery, intimidation and discouragement did not work, Nehemiah’s enemies tried a third scheme.  They sought to discredit him.  They did this through another form of trickery.

This is found in Nehemiah 6:10-13.

Later I went to visit Shemaiah son of Delaiah and grandson of Mehetabel, who was confined to his home.  He said, “Let us meet together inside the Temple of God and bolt the doors shut.  Your enemies are coming to kill you tonight.”

But I replied, “Should someone in my position run from danger?  Should someone in my position enter the Temple to save his life?  No, I won’t do it!”  I realized that God had not spoken to him, but that he had uttered this prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.  They were hoping to intimidate me and make me sin.  Then they would be able to accuse and discredit me.

Here we see that Nehemiah says that his enemies were trying to intimidate him and cause him to sin.  This would allow them to discredit Nehemiah.

Nehemiah’s enemies tried first to create fear, and then do something inappropriate based on that fear.

Fear is not from God.  The Bible says:

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.  (2 Timothy 1:7)

The Spirit of God gives us boldness.

The Apostle Paul asked for prayer saying:

I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God's ambassador.  So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.  (Ephesians 6:20)

What is your biggest fear? 

Is it financial?  Is it health?  Is it a relationship?  Is it fear of failure? 

Whatever your biggest fear is, the devil will use it to get you to do something inappropriate if you do not learn to handle fear with faith.

This is why Ephesians 6:11 says:

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.  ESV

The devil and his schemes have not changed since the days of Nehemiah.  We can still expect trickery, intimidation and attempts to discredit us.  However, we have the encouragement of the Scriptures which say:

For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith.  (1 John 5:4)

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[i] Unless otherwise noted Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation.  Copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Steam, Illinois 60188.  All rights reserved.

[ii] Scripture quotations marked ESV are from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version) copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved.

The Prayer the Lord Hears

Nehemiah 1[i]

Jerusalem lay in ruins for 70 years.

Nebuchadnezzar and his army tore down the walls, burned the houses, destroyed the temple, and those they did not kill, they took captive to Babylon.

Then Cyrus issued a decree, and fifty thousand Jewish exiles returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple.

Fifty thousand is a small number compared to the people and nations already occupying the territory to which the Jews returned.

In spite of opposition, the temple was rebuilt, being completed on March 21, 516 B.C.[ii]

The time from 538 B.C. to 516 B.C. represents 22 years during which the Jews labored in the rebuilding of the temple.

Nehemiah 1:1 dates itself as being in the 20^th year of King Artaxerxes’ reign.  This puts the events of Nehemiah 1 at 446 B.C.  This means another 70 years have passed since the end of the Jewish Exile.

Nehemiah works for the King.  He is the King’s cupbearer.  (Nehemiah 1:11) The cupbearer was a high-ranking official.  The cupbearer served the drinks at the royal table, and he guarded against the king being poisoned. In order to protect the king from poison, it was the job of the cupbearer to swallow some of the drink before serving it to the king.  (A nice job to have unless someone tried to poison the king.)

Nehemiah 1:2-4 says:

Hanani, one of my brothers, came to visit me with some other men who had just arrived from Judah.  I asked them about the Jews who had returned there from captivity and about how things were going in Jerusalem.

They said to me, “Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah.  They are in great trouble and disgrace.  The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.”

When I heard this, I sat down and wept.  In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven.

Have you ever received news that caused you to mourn, fast and pray for days?

We all face these moments in life. 

Where do you turn?

When Nehemiah heard that Jerusalem still lay in ruins, he was devastated.  He mourned, fasted and prayed for days.  The prayer recorded in Nehemiah 1 takes less than 5 minutes to read.  Therefore, we can assume it is a synopsis of his prayers.  It is an actual prayer, but I am sure it grew out of days of struggling in his heart.

God caused this prayer to be recorded for our instruction.  It is not the only example of prayer in Scripture, and much needs to be learned about prayer by experience and applying the whole of Scripture.  However, by examining this prayer we can discover principles that will help us grow in our prayer life. 

The Apostle Paul taught us that we should never stop praying.  In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 he tells us:

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.  ESV[iii]

Let’s take this instruction seriously, and see what principle we can apply from Nehemiah’s example.

The first principle we learn is that we should pray fervently.

We see this principle in Nehemiah 1:4.

When I heard this, I sat down and wept.  In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven.

Nehemiah’s petition was not half-hearted nor was he detached emotionally.

James 5:16 says, “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”

Our Lord Jesus addressed our desires when he said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”  (Matthew 5:6, ESV)

From these two passages of Scripture and others, we can see that our desires and emotions are involved in prayer.

E. M. Bounds wrote:

Desire is not merely a simple wish; it is a deep seated craving; an intense longing, for attainment.  In the realm of spiritual affairs, it is an important adjunct to prayer.  So important is it, that one might say, almost, that desire is an absolute essential of prayer.  Desire precedes prayer, accompanies it, is followed by it.  Desire goes before prayer, and by it, created and intensified. Prayer is the oral expression of desire.[iv]

The intensity of our desire is not what brings an answer.  Jesus says, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”  (John 15:7, ESV)  Abiding in Jesus and in His word creates in us spiritual desires and a “hungering and thirsting after righteousness.”  When Jesus prayed in the Garden, He prayed that the cup might pass from Him, but then He appended this request with “Not my will but thine be done.”  This shows us the nature of a spiritual hunger that wishes for the will of God to be accomplished above all else.

This is not a cold mechanical thing.  It is a fervent desire born of days of mourning, fasting and prayer.  God does not want us cold.  He said to the Church of Laodicea, “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot.  Would that you were either cold or hot!”  (Revelation 3:15, ESV)

We need to abide in Jesus and let His word abide in us to the point that our desires are in line with God’s desires.  This brings about fervent prayer. 

In addition to praying fervently, we also see that we must pray with humility.  This is the next principle we see in Nehemiah’s prayer.  We must pray with humility.

Nehemiah prayed with humility when he said:

“O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps his covenant of unfailing love with those who love him and obey his commands, listen to my prayer!  Look down and see me praying night and day for your people Israel.  I confess that we have sinned against you.  Yes, even my own family and I have sinned!  We have sinned terribly by not obeying the commands, decrees, and regulations that you gave us through your servant Moses.  (Nehemiah 1:5-7)

Two aspects of humility are apparent in this part of Nehemiah’s prayer.

First, he acknowledges who God is.  Nothing can keep us humble like acknowledging that God is the great and awesome God who keeps his covenant of unfailing love.

When Isaiah saw the glory of God he said, "It's all over!  I am doomed, for I am a sinful man.  I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips.  Yet I have seen the King, the LORD of Heaven's Armies."  (Isaiah 6:5)

The first aspect of humility is acknowledging who God is.  The second aspect of humility follows naturally from this acknowledgement.  The second aspect of humility is the confession of our own sin and sinfulness.

In regard to his sin, David said, “Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight.  You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just.”  (Psalm 51:4)  When a person sees God for who God is, that person then understands that God’s judgement is just. 

Nehemiah saw the sinfulness of his ancestors, and saw their sinful attitudes and practices in himself.  He did not try to find someone else to blame.  He did not point the finger at anyone else.  He confessed his own sin and sinfulness.

If we cannot take responsibility and admit our sin, we cannot be right with God.  1 John 1:8 says, “If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth.” 

Prayer starts with desire and continues with humility.  The next principle we see is that prayer requires faith.

When I say faith, I do not mean blind, leap-off-a-cliff hope.  Faith is the substance of things hoped for according to Hebrews 11:1.  We see faith expressed in Nehemiah’s prayer when he prays:

“Please remember what you told your servant Moses: ‘If you are unfaithful to me, I will scatter you among the nations.  But if you return to me and obey my commands and live by them, then even if you are exiled to the ends of the earth, I will bring you back to the place I have chosen for my name to be honored.’”  (Nehemiah 1:8-9)

Nehemiah is praying based on God’s revealed will, God’s word.

Romans 10:17 says:

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.  ESV

Faith is based on an understanding of what God has said and then trusting that God will do what He has said.  Effective prayer is based on the word of God.  Nehemiah prayed with confidence because he prayed according to God’s word.

Desire, humility and faith are principles of prayer that we see in Nehemiah’s prayer.  Obedience is the final principle that ties these all together.  Nehemiah prays:

“The people you rescued by your great power and strong hand are your servants.  O Lord, please hear my prayer!  Listen to the prayers of those of us who delight in honoring you.”  (Nehemiah 1:10-11)

Nehemiah began by acknowledging that God is “the great and awesome God who keeps his covenant of unfailing love with those who love him and obey his commands…”  (Nehemiah 1:5)  He ends his prayer by pointing out they are God’s servants and that they delight in honoring God.

When God’s people refused to pursue Him with fervency, acknowledge Him in humility and approach Him with faith, God did not hear their prayers and instead sent them away into exile. 

Romans 8:28 is a favorite verse for many.  Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”  This verse does not promise that God causes everything to work together for the good of everybody.  Things did not work out for the good of Pharaoh.  Things did not work out well for Haman.  Things will not work out well for any persons who set themselves in opposition to God. 

The promise of Romans 8:28 is for those who love God.  Psalm 37:4 says, “Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart's desires.”  The requirement here is that one takes delight in the Lord.

When we love God and take delight in Him, obedience is a natural outgrowth of our relationship with Him.  We naturally love His commands and want to do what pleases Him.

When God’s children pursue Him with fervency, acknowledge him with humility, approach him and faith and love Him in obedience, He hears, He listens and He answers.

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[i] Unless otherwise noted Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation.  Copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Steam, Illinois 60188.  All rights reserved.

[ii] NIV Study Bible, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI.  copyright 1985, 1995, 2002.  pg. 679

[iii] Scripture quotations marked ESV are from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version) copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved.

[iv] The Complete Works of E.M. Bounds on Prayer.  Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, MI.  copyright 1990. pg. 29

Haman

Money and power draw a lot of attention.

Much of our world revolves around money and power.

The president of the United States deals with money and power on a worldwide scale.

 Each of us deals with money and power on a different scale.  No matter the size of our money and power, we each have control over some small kingdom.  As to scale, your sphere of influence may not extend beyond the boundaries of your living room or the TV remote, nevertheless the exercise of power is involved. 

We are all accountable for how we use our money and power.  Jesus states a principle that we all need to remember.  He said, “When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.”  (Matthew 12:48)[i]

Today, we are going to look at Haman.  Haman is going to represent the abuse of money and power.  He was entrusted with much, but he did not use it well.  He is the villain in the story of Esther, and as such, ends up being hung on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai.

From Haman’s life, we will learn some lessons, and then we will apply those lessons to our world and to our lives today.  Our expectation is that we do not want to be like Haman.  So, in the process of learning, we can also expect to see areas in our own lives where we need to make changes. 

We meet Haman in the third chapter of the book of Esther.  Esther 3:1 says, “Sometime later King Xerxes promoted Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite over all the other nobles, making him the most powerful official in the empire.”

At our first meeting, Haman is promoted without reason to the highest position in the land.

Lesson number 1:  Life is not fair.

Esther chapter 2 ends with Mordecai saving the king’s life, and he was not rewarded for it.  Esther chapter 3 starts with Haman’s promotion without reason.

Life works like this.  You may have thought because you worked hard and your ideas brought success that you would get the promotion at work, but it never materialized.  You may be more qualified than the schmuck that got the job, but they chose the schmuck.  It happens all the time.  This gives us the opportunity to become bitter, jealous and/or envious.  The antidote or opposite of this is to trust God. 

James 4:1-3 says:

What is causing the quarrels and fights among you?  Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you?  You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it.  You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them.  Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it.  And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.

In the court of the king, this is how things operated.  Money and power give opportunity for our evil desires, and we fight and scratch to get what others have.  It is not obvious in the story of Haman, but we see it in the way Haman plays the game. 

Mordecai can serve as our example.  We must humble ourselves before God and let Him raise us up in His time.  James 4:10 offers this conclusion:

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.”

Life may not be fair, but God is in control.  The question each of us must answer is, “What have I done with what God has entrusted to me?”

Haman was entrusted with the operation of an Empire.  What did he do with it?

Esther 3:2-6 gives us a feel for how Haman used what was entrusted to him.  It says:

All the king’s officials would bow down before Haman to show him respect whenever he passed by, for so the king had commanded.  But Mordecai refused to bow down or show him respect.

Then the palace officials at the king’s gate asked Mordecai, “Why are you disobeying the king’s command?”  They spoke to him day after day, but still he refused to comply with the order.  So they spoke to Haman about this to see if he would tolerate Mordecai’s conduct, since Mordecai had told them he was a Jew.

When Haman saw that Mordecai would not bow down or show him respect, he was filled with rage.  He had learned of Mordecai’s nationality, so he decided it was not enough to lay hands on Mordecai alone.  Instead, he looked for a way to destroy all the Jews throughout the entire empire of Xerxes.

Mordecai was a nobody.  Haman was the top man in the empire.  But Haman was filled with rage because Mordecai would not bow.  Haman was concerned with Haman.  He was taking care of number one.

Yet, something even more insidious and evil is at work.

Mordecai’s reason for not bowing is contained in this account.  The palace officials asked Mordecai, “Why are you disobeying the king’s command?” Mordecai’s answer is indicated in verse 4 where it says, “Mordecai had told them he was a Jew.”

I have a Jewish friend who loves bacon.  I tease him.  “You are a Jew and yet you eat bacon!”  He responds, “Yeshua has set me free from the Law.” 

I imagine a Jew might explain not eating pork by saying, “I am a Jew.”

“Why don’t you eat pork?”

“I am a Jew.”

“Mordecai, why don’t you bow down?”

“I am a Jew.”

The second commandment says:

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them.  (Exodus 20:4-5, KJV)

“Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them.”

The king was considered deity, and apparently, Haman was elevated to some sort of divine status by the king’s order.  Mordecai’s refusal to bow was a matter of religious conviction.  Therefore, when Haman brought the issue to the king he said, “There is a certain race of people scattered through all the provinces of your empire who keep themselves separate from everyone else.  Their laws are different from those of any other people, and they refuse to obey the laws of the king.”  (Esther 3:8)  The refusal to bow before any other god is just one such law that Haman is referring to.

Haman’s pride is injured, and he has found grounds for eliminating the Jews, but I have not yet explained the full extent of the insidious evil that is at work.

Let’s go back to verse 1 of Esther chapter 3 where it says, “King Xerxes promoted Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite.”

One might just read over this without a thought, but it is very significant.

Let me give you some background.

When the Jews left Egypt under the leadership of Moses and after they had crossed the Red Sea, the Israelites (Jews) were attacked by the descendants of Amalek.

Amalek was the son of Eliphaz, who was the firstborn son of Esau, the brother of Jacob who was the father of the Jews.  They were of the same family and descendants of Abraham and Isaac.  However, because of their attack on the Israelites, God cursed the Amalekites and said, “I will erase the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” (Exodus 17:14)

When God had established the nation of Israel and their first king, Saul was on the throne.  God gave instructions to Saul that He should attack and wipe out the Amalekites, leaving nothing alive, not even any animals.

Saul carried out these orders with a couple exceptions.  1 Samuel 15:9 says:

Saul and his men spared Agag’s life and kept the best of the sheep and goats, the cattle, the fat calves, and the lambs—everything, in fact, that appealed to them.  They destroyed only what was worthless or of poor quality.

Agag was the king of the Amalekites, and Haman was his descendant.

Somewhere close to six hundred years had passed since the slaughter of the Amalekites by Saul, but apparently it was not forgotten.  Haman probably grew up hating the Jews.

This is not unusual. 

Parents teach their prejudices to their children.  I have watched Palestinian TV programs designed to teach children hatred for the Jews.  The Jews of Jesus’ day taught their children to hate Samaritans.

What do we teach our children to hate?   

In summary, Haman’s life was characterized by hatred, self-seeking, greed and a lust for power.  Therefore, when he had power and money, he used them in the interest of these things.

The story of Esther and Mordecai shows how God worked to stop Haman.

Do you want to end up like Haman, impaled on the pole you set up for your enemy?  Then just let hatred, greed and a lust for power have its way in your life.

If the antidote to jealousy is to trust God, the antidote to hate, greed and self-seeking is to love your neighbor as yourself.

The Apostle Paul said:

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.  Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.  Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.  (Philippians 2:3-5, ESV)[ii]

We all know that government should operate in the interest of the governed.  However, every institution quickly becomes corrupt as those in power seek their own interests.  It takes constant vigilance and work to fight against and stop evil workers like Haman.

In 1 Timothy 6:5, Paul speaks of those who bring  controversy and conflict into the Church because they see godliness as a means of gain.  In other words, greed, hatred and self-seeking can find its way into any human relationship.

When we are given money and power, do we use it for ourselves? 

Remember, your life is a stewardship entrusted to you by God.

Why has God put you where you are?

Do you trust God?

Do you love your neighbor?

If we do not want to be like Haman, I would add two more admonitions.

1.     But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.  (Matthew 6:33, ESV)

2.    If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.  For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  (Colossians 3:1-3, ESV)

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[i] Unless otherwise noted Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation.  Copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Steam, Illinois 60188.  All rights reserved.

[ii] Scripture quotations marked ESV are from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version) copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved.