Sunday Scripture: {Of Pride & Humility}

Photo credit: Fr. Stephen, MSC

"When pride comes, 

then comes disgrace, 

but with the humble 

is wisdom."

Proverbs 11:2

This morning, our Pastor preached from the book of Esther, part 3 of a four part series.  We read through Esther 6-8 and focused on the downfall of Haman.  Pastor said that even today, when the name Haman is spoken during the retelling of this story, Jews will loudly yell "Boo!" in an effort to blot out his name from history.  

Haman was an evil villain who sought not only to get rid of Mordecai for refusing to bow down and show him respect but to destroy the entire Jewish population.  But God's hand was in this entire story, even though, interestingly enough, there is not a single mention of God in the entire book of Esther.  Still, God's work is seen throughout the story.  

God chose Esther for such a time as this to save her people from destruction.  Haman was the kind of person who thrived on status and wealth and loved to tell people how great he was.  After receiving a second dinner invitation from Queen Esther,  he brags to his family about how great he is.  

Then, when the king asks him what to do for a man he delights to honor, Haman thinks, "Whom would the king delight to honor more than me?" His pride ends up leading to his downfall when Queen Esther reveals Haman's evil plot to the king and Haman is sentenced to hanging on the very gallows he built to destroy Mordecai.  

It's easy to listen to a retelling of this story and judge Haman for his pride and his villainous behavior.  I mean, he was an evil man who deserved his punishment, right?  But, where does that leave me?  Does it make me a better person...a person more worthy of God's grace?  

I started to think about my own pride this morning, how easy it is to think about myself before anyone else, and, without even realizing it, my pride can get the better of me.  And, you know, I am just as guilty as Haman.  Because God says there is no one righteous, not even one.  And all have sinned and fall short of his glory - no exceptions.  

So, instead of judging Haman, maybe I should instead be examining my own heart and allowing God to change my heart and remind me that all that is good in me is all because of Him.