Manipulation is wrong but still not an excuse

Scripture Read: Esther 3:9-12 “If it is pleasing to the king, let it be decreed that they be destroyed, and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those who carry on the king’s business, to put into the king’s treasuries.” ¹⁰ Then 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 The king said to Haman, “The silver is yours, and the people also, to do with them as you please.” ¹² Then the king’s scribes were summoned on the thirteenth day of the first month, and it was written just as Haman commanded to the king’s satraps, to the governors who were over each province and to the princes of each people, each province according to its script, each people according to its language, being written in the name of King Ahasuerus and sealed with the king’s signet ring.   

Application: There are some real sobering truths the Lord has for us here. The evil that is in the heart of man is shocking, yet we know except for Your grace any of us could do things we would consider outrageous now. Your salvation changes everything we think, judge and value. I don’t know what I would be like right now if I had not been redeemed by Your Son. All of us should contemplate this truth. It is also amazing how the enemy works behind the scenes. Only Mordecai offended Haman, what does a little Jewish boy or girl have to do with that? Yet, the entire Jewish population was the target, to be wiped out for the personal offense of one man’s to another. The enemy must do anything to crush the seed of the Messiah – so he fills Haman’s heart with a hatred that makes no sense. Another step in being trapped by the “Haman principle” is to manipulate the authority needed to accomplish your agenda. Haman presents the Jews as a people that are a threat to the King – not as a group that offends Haman personally. This is common among leaders even in churches, where people manipulate leaders to turn on their Pastor. I have personally seen this in the market place. Often half-truths are shared to people in authority that will be used to hurt the individual that did nothing to the person in authority. The sad truth that we also see is the danger of misusing authority. The King may give Haman his ring and then try to wash his hands of the blood – much like Pilate – but that will not stand before You, oh Lord. We who are in authority take on the responsibility of all the ramifications of everything we approve of or enable action toward. You, oh Lord, hold the person in headship responsible for what they do or allow to be done. Father protect us from being unwise as this King, when we give someone permission to use our authority, let us make sure we know what we will held accountable for.

 Meditation Questions: What do you think manipulation means? Have you ever tried to get someone to do something because you wanted it? Why? How do you feel when someone tries to trick you into doing something you would not have done on you own?

In the end, no matter the reason, who do you believe answers for any decision or action you make? Why is this question important?