August 3, 2026

Haman had a lot going for him. He was wealthy, accomplished, and had been promoted above all the other princes in Persia. However, rather than being grateful for what he had, Haman took offense because some palace servant disrespected him. Haman allowed Mordecai's refusal to bow to him to bother him so much that he decided to retaliate by convincing the king to commit genocide on Mordecai's people.

It's easy to think that this is quite the overreaction - perhaps while the Jews practice an eye for an eye the Persians practice a race for an insult. However, do we ever mete out unkindness in retaliation for feeling disrespected? Do we ever overreact and cause hurt in retribution for bruised pride?

Christ taught "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you... For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?" (Matthew 5:43-44, 46)

Even more He taught us to love our neighbors.

In the end, Haman's wrath focused on offense wove the cord that brought death to it's owner. So do we weave, one thread of offense, pride, and anger at a time, if we choose not to turn the other cheek. As we turn our cheek in forgiveness, our eyes also turn away from our smiter and towards our Savior.

He didn't teach us to do anything that He didn't do himself, for surely He was smitten for our sakes and turned His cheek.