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By Van Sprague

Do you struggle with forgiving someone who has hurt you deeply? Maybe you can’t stop thinking about it. Do you wish for their punishment and failure? Take a look at the real and tragic life of this Persian official, and see how it can serve as an analogy for anyone else who is bitter and vengeful.

Haman was an important man in Ahasuerus’ kingdom, but Mordecai, a Jew, would not bow to him “or pay homage” (Esther 3:1-2, Unless otherwise stated: Scripture is taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Used by permission. All rights reserved). This was against the commands of the king (verse 3). However, Haman wasn’t satisfied with punishing Mordecai for violating Persian law. He “sought to destroy all the Jews who were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus” (Esther 3:6).

Even though he was among the most successful people on earth, he could not enjoy it. Instead, he whined, “all this avails me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate” (Esther 5:13). In response, his wife and friends advised that he have a 75-foot tall gallows built to hang Mordecai (Esther 5:14).

In the end, Haman’s plot was discovered. It displeased the king, and he had him hanged on the gallows Haman had prepared for Mordecai (Esther 7:10). Then “Ahasuerus gave Queen Esther the house of Haman,” promoted Mordecai to Haman’s place, and put him over Haman’s possessions (Esther 8:1, 2).

If we hold grudges and seek retribution, we suffer similarly. Harboring bitterness toward someone poisons the sweetness we have in our own lives. We injure ourselves when we wish hurt upon them. Hating someone gives them control of your life.

Instead:

“Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. Therefore, ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:17-21).

“… be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Therefore be imitators of God as dear children” (Ephesians 4:32-5:1).

“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses”

(Matthew 6:14-15).

Free them. Free yourself. Otherwise, you hang on your own gallows.

Van Sprague is an evangelist at the Church of Christ at Houston Park. He has a wife and three children. Come Visit! Sunday morning Bible class is at 9, with worship at 10 am and 5 pm. Wednesday night Bible class is at 6.