Crimes typically fall into two categories... commission and omission. Commission is the crime of doing something wrong. that causes harm or offense. Omission is the crime of not doing something right. Commission is typically not that difficult to understand. For example, if you steal something or harm someone. That is a crime of commission. But omission is a bit more tricky. It occurs when you knowingly and intentionally fail to act or do something which if it had been done, would have prevented harm or offense. Like if you hear that voice inside that tells you to "do the right thing," but don't do it, and someone is harmed, that is a crime of omission. And as we continue to read in this, the book of Esther, we find both crimes being tested in the hearts of men. As we enter the story today, Queen Esther has requested King Xerxes and Haman dine with her at a feast where she bring a petition before the king. Haman is overjoyed, that he is invited to such an exclusive event. Haman was a happy man as he left the banquet! But when he saw Mordecai sitting at the palace gate, not standing up or trembling nervously before him, Haman became furious. However, he restrained himself and went on home. Then Haman gathered together his friends and Zeresh, his wife, and boasted to them about his great wealth and his many children. He bragged about the honors the king had given him and how he had been promoted over all the other nobles and officials. Then Haman added, “And that’s not all! Queen Esther invited only me and the king himself to the banquet she prepared for us. And she has invited me to dine with her and the king again tomorrow!” Then he added, “But this is all worth nothing as long as I see Mordecai the Jew just sitting there at the palace gate.” Esther 5:9-13 NLT Have you ever had one of those days... where everything seems to line up just perfectly. And you want to run home and brag to your whole family about it until you run into that one person who drives you crazy? That's how Haman felt about Mordecai. But this is all worth nothing as long as I see Mordecai the Jew just sitting there at the palace gate. Haman was greatly blessed by the king. His life and career were going well. He was being promoted and succeeding at all he did. Unfortunately, Haman had a BIG BUT! And he couldn't take his eyes off of it. And I think all of us at some time or another in life lose sight of our many blessings because we stop and focus on our BIG BUT. I mean, at least Haman restrained himself on the way home as he passed Mordecai. But once he got home to tell the family, he had to be certain to complain to them about how much Mordecai got under his skin. And here is where I believe one of the "omissions" could've happened. Because any one of his family or friends could have heard that still small voice inside that said, "talk him down from this anger." Anyone of these people listening could have thought, he's really going overboard, focusing on this problem instead of enjoying all the success he's having in life. Even his wife, Zeresh... as women, we have great influence over men. What if she, in this moment had heard somewhere inside, to tell him to let it go. I'm not saying she definitely did. But it's possible. I know I've certainly heard that voice and ignored it, thinking... no one else is speaking up, why should I? I mean, I'll look and sound stupid. Or maybe she worried that her husband's anger would turn toward her if she tried to tell him he was wrong? She could have had the influence to talk Haman down from all this anger. She had the perfect chance to tell him, Yes, Haman, your BUT does look BIG today. But that's not what happened. Then his wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Let a gallows be made, fifty cubits high, and in the morning suggest to the king that Mordecai be hanged on it; then go merrily with the king to the banquet.” And the thing pleased Haman; so he had the gallows made. Esther 5:14 NKJV So Haman began to build the gallows... and I'm assuming he had help. Because by morning, it was finished. And now his plan... in the morning suggest to the king that Mordecai be hanged on it; then go merrily with the king to the banquet. Really? Like that's a typical day. Who does that? Suggest a hanging in the morning and then go merrily to a banquet. Haman has some weird friends. But now, when he brushes off all the sawdust of construction and strolls to the palace with a whistle in his step, I bet he takes a nice long look back over his shoulder to admire his night's work. Yes, that'll do just fine. And he enters the palace. Little does he know that the king has been unable to sleep all night Probably due to the banging hammers of gallow building next door. Dang those neighbors! And before Haman can get his suggestion out, the king has a question and assignment for him. (take time to read of it here, for I have a different topic at hand. You see Mordecai has challenged Esther to go before the king and plead for repeal of a law that Haman put in place. Haman used his power and authority poorly, sending out an edict over all the lands, manipulating the king to agree to it. 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... and to plunder their possessions. Esther 3:13 And while most all of Haman's crimes have been of commission, those around him have been challenged by voices inside as to whether to speak up... or commit the crimes of omission. But at this second banquet, Esther finds her voice, admits her heritage, lays her life on the line, and speaks out for her people and for the burden of her heart. Then Queen Esther answered and said, “If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request. For we have been sold, my people and I, to be destroyed, to be killed, and to be annihilated. Had we been sold as male and female slaves, I would have held my tongue, although the enemy could never compensate for the king’s loss.” Esther 7:3-4 In this single act of bravery, she reveals the wickedness in the heart of Haman, frees a multitude from certain death, and promotes Mordecai to replace the soon to hang Haman to a place of honor in the kingdom. Esther listened to the still small voice. Esther confessed her fear to God, knowing that she had much to lose. And yet, God proved mighty to save. It is so important that we listen to, and take time to tune-in to that still small voice inside. For it certainly can propel our lives in the right direction... where God leads and we follow. And we will most likely never know the complete impact it can have on the lives around and in the future, if only we will be obedient. His path, His choices, His will, His purpose, His strength, His understanding, His wisdom, His way. If I will speak up and avoid these sins of omission, I am more likely to avoid more dangerous sins of commission as well. Word of God train me, today... To stay connected to You in prayer, not just talking, but listening for Your voice. To take courage from You to act, to speak, to move in the direction You lead.
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January 2019
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