Four times in the book of Esther, Haman was called the Jews’ enemy (3:10, 8:1, 9:10, 24). This description was given to Haman for one simple reason; he planned on killing all of the Jews. His motivation? Anger! Haman was angry at Mordecai, and he allowed his anger to boil over until it reached a point that he didn’t want any Jewish person to live (3:5-6).

Anger is the catalyst for much evil today. It is for this reason that we are warned not to allow anger to lead us into sin (Eph. 4:26-27). Elders in the Lord’s church are told not to be “soon angry” since it is evident that anger will not produce any good (Titus 1:7). Man’s anger doesn’t work God’s righteousness (Jas. 1:20)!

Men allow anger to cause them to justify sinful actions, but we need to remember that anger puts us on a “slippery slope” to worse sins (Col. 3:5). Anger was Haman’s motivation to kill not just one man, but an entire race of people! Today, men allow anger to fester until they lash out against others verbally and physically. Anger has been man’s justification for murder today, just as it was Haman’s!

The book of Esther shows us the consequences of unrestrained anger. By contrast, God is slow to anger (Ps. 145:8). Let us be slow to anger as well (Prov. 16:32; Jas. 1:19).

- Jarrod M. Jacobs

What A Day May Bring …

Jarrod Jacobs 

                   Solomon wrote, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring” (Prov. 27:1). I remember a time in my life where I saw three people pass from this world in one month alone. Have you ever had a month like that? These deaths affected me, and each death caused me to “lay to heart” (Ecc. 7:2) what happened. In fact, each time one dies, it testifies that we have no lease on life.

                   God has never promised us a long life; nor has He promised us freedom from worry or problems. In reality, there are very few things we can count on in this life. We are not promised a safe drive home. We are not guaranteed that a home appliance will never fail. We are not promised that we will never get sick. We are not sheltered or immune from tragedy striking our homes in one form or another. When we recognize this, we will begin to appreciate the truth spoken by Solomon in Proverbs 27:1!

                   In a world of uncertainty, God has given us some promises which are sure and steadfast. For instance, God has promised never to leave or forsake His children (Heb. 13:5). God has also promised a Judgment Day in which the righteous will be rewarded, while the wicked will be punished (Rom. 2:7-11; Matt. 25:46; etc.). Not only is God and His judgment unchanging, but we can also take comfort in the fact that His word is unchanging. Man’s word changes often, and the things men say today may not be the same thing he says tomorrow. Yet, God’s word does not change!

                   David knew this and stated, “Forever, O LORD, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens” (Ps. 119:89) While on earth, Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away” (Matt. 24:35). God has given us “all things that pertain to life and godliness” and His word “thoroughly furnishes” men for “every good work” (I Pet. 1:4; II Tim. 3:16-17). Since this is true, does it not give us hope and comfort when we know that His word is unchanging?

                   In a world that changes often, we find that the only settled and sure thing is God and those things related to Him! We do not know all the things that could happen in a day. Men can lie to us. Disease can ravage a family. Sometimes, people make selfish decisions which end up having an effect on us. No, we do not know what will happen in a day. No one can predict this.

                   Yet, for all of this, God is constant and consistent. He loves us and wants the best for us. He sent Christ to die (Rom. 5:9). He has given us His word to follow (Jn. 12:48). It leads us to Heaven. Seeing that this is the case, may this week be the week that we stop trusting in ourselves and trust in the Lord (Prov. 3:5). In the course of a day or a week, our lives can change in profound ways. Let us therefore, trust in God and hold to His unchanging hand while the storms of life rage!

“Proverbs To Ponder”

Jarrod Jacobs 

            Regardless of our age, we are never too old to learn, nor too old to be reminded of things we once knew. The proverbs below are not based upon man’s wisdom, but were penned by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit for our learning and admonition (II Pet. 1:20-21).

   1. “If sinners entice thee, consent thou not” (Prov. 1:10). The worst thing we can do is follow those who are wicked. Let us be interested in what God wants, and follow Him!

   2. “Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil” (Prov. 3:7). Arrogance and pride will bring us down quickly (Prov. 14:12). Let us fear God and keep His commandments (Ecc. 12:13).

   3. “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Prov. 4:23). If we will guard, or watch our heart, we will be able to control our actions and speech as well. Our speech and actions (good or bad) begin in the heart (Matt. 15:17-19; Phil. 4:8).

   4. “Cease, ... to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge” (Prov. 19:27). Let us stop listening to the foolish advice of others, and listen to God. His word is the truth (Jn. 17:17)!

   5. “Let not thine heart envy sinners” (Prov. 23:17). Being envious of sinners can do nothing but bring us down. Their end is destruction, and we want no part of that (Ps. 73:18).

   6. “Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth” (Prov. 27:1). All we are assured of is now. Do not squander the time you have upon this earth (II Cor. 6:2; Heb. 3:7-8)!