We will REAP what we SOW
May 23
Bible Reading: Esther Chapters 7-10
We will REAP what we SOW
"You have plowed wickedness; you have reaped iniquity. You have
eaten the fruit of lies, because you trusted in your own way, in the multitude
of your mighty men." (Hosea 10:13)
The above
verse from the book of Hosea aptly describes Haman, the enemy of the Jews. Out
of the wickedness in his heart, he had devised and attempted to annihilate all
the Jews in the province by taking advantage of the king’s naivety. However,
God used Queen Esther to destroy the schemes of the enemy Haman.
At the
banquet that Esther had prepared for King Ahasuerus and Haman, she revealed her
true identity and begged the king for her life and the lives of her people
(Esther 7:3-4). When the king asked her to reveal who was responsible for this
dastardly act, Esther pointed to Haman as the cause of her grief. As Haman
began to beg Esther for forgiveness he fell on her couch in sheer desperation
causing the King to accuse him of attacking the Queen. Haman was immediately
taken to be hung to death - on the very gallows that he had built for Mordecai.
Also, his ten sons were also hanged on the gallows later (Esther 9:13-14).
Haman had indeed reaped what he sowed!
Mordecai
received Haman’s official position and all his property. A proclamation was
issued allowing all the Jews to defend themselves and because of Mordecai’s new
position, they even received help from non-Jews. So on the day that Haman had
planned for the annihilation of the Jewish nation, all the enemies of the Jews were
destroyed. "On the day that the
enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, the opposite occurred, in that
the Jews themselves overpowered those who hated them." (Esther 9:1)
This victorious day is still celebrated as Purim every year on the 14th and
15th days of Adar on the Jewish calendar. An annual feast and celebration is
held to honor God for delivering the Jews from their enemies. Clearly, God had perfect timing in arranging
the events of Esther’s life, showing His faithful care of His chosen people!
One thing
that we can learn from these series of events is that we will reap what we sow
– this is the law of God. "Those who
sow in tears shall reap in joy. He, who continually goes forth weeping, bearing
seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his
sheaves with him" (Psalms 126:5-6).
Let us turn back to the book of Hosea to understand what God truly wants from our lives: "Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord, till He comes and rains righteousness on you.” (Hosea 10:12)
