We see Haman get a great position of great honor, yet Mordecai will not defer to Haman as Haman thinks is right. Haman is offended, and his pride is hurt. Because of this hurt pride, Haman decides not just to kill Mordecai but to destroy all the Jews. Because of his wounded pride Haman is willing to destroy so many. What relationships are destroyed, and what harm is caused because of our pride? Pride is always destructive!

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Good morning! It’s great to be with you this chilly Monday morning. Whew, it’s cold, isn’t it? I’m recording this on Sunday, so by the time you watch it, it might even be colder. There’s even talk of snow in the forecast for Tuesday! If that happens, I might have to record from home, so stay tuned for updates. But for now, we should have a regular schedule of reflections this week.

Next week will be different, though, because I’ll be in Dayton, Ohio, for school. So we won’t have any videos starting a week from today. Then, a couple of weeks later, I’ll be on a church mission trip starting February 10, so there won’t be reflections that week either. Lots going on, but all exciting things!

In the meantime, stay warm, and let’s take a moment to pray for those who might be struggling in this cold weather. It’s easy to take warmth and shelter for granted, but not everyone has what they need in times like these.

Alright, let’s dive into today’s passage: Esther chapter 3. It’s a pivotal chapter, and we’ll see how pride and vengeance begin to shape the story in powerful—and dangerous—ways.

The chapter begins with King Xerxes honoring Haman, elevating him above all the other nobles. The king even commands that everyone at the gate bow down to Haman as a sign of respect. But Mordecai, a Jew, refuses to kneel or pay him honor.

This, of course, enrages Haman. And rather than dealing with Mordecai alone, Haman decides that wiping out all the Jews in the kingdom is the only way to truly satisfy his pride. He persuades King Xerxes to issue a decree ordering the destruction of the Jewish people, young and old, women and children, all on a single day. The edict is sent out across the kingdom, and at the end of the chapter, Haman and Xerxes sit down to drink while the city of Susa is thrown into confusion.

What strikes me most about this chapter is how much destruction stems from something so small—Haman’s wounded pride. Mordecai didn’t bow, and instead of letting it go, Haman’s pride drives him to plan the annihilation of an entire people.

Think about how much harm pride can cause. How many relationships have been broken, how much hurt has been inflicted, and how many opportunities have been lost—all because someone couldn’t let go of their pride?

Proverbs tells us, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). And we’re about to see how true that is for Haman. Right now, he’s sitting pretty—second only to the king. But his pride is setting him up for a major downfall.

As Christians, we’re called to follow a Savior who modeled humility in every way. Jesus didn’t come as a mighty king or a powerful ruler. He came as a humble servant, born in a manger, living among the least and the lost. He taught us that the first shall be last and the last shall be first, and he showed us that true greatness comes from serving others.

In our own lives, we need to guard against pride. When you feel anger or frustration toward someone, ask yourself: Why am I feeling this way? Is it because of something legitimate, or is it my pride getting in the way?

I tell couples during premarital counseling, “You have to love your spouse more than you love being right.” That’s true for all of us. Sometimes we need to let go of our pride, even when we’re in the right, for the sake of peace and love.

This chapter also reminds us that the story isn’t over yet. Things might look great for Haman now, but pride always leads to a fall. So let’s take this as a lesson for ourselves. Stay humble. Stay grounded. Trust in God, not in your own importance or achievements.

Thanks for spending this time with me today. Stay warm and safe, and we’ll pick up tomorrow with chapter 4. Have a great day!