How Should We Judge?

Continuing in Esther 3 and the theme of JUDGEMENT, let’s consider how a judgmental attitude can come back to bite you.

In Matthew 7:1, we read, “Do not judge or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

[Note by Mike: Most people quote, “Judge not lest ye be judged” and interpret that the bible is telling us we should never judge. BUT, we make judgments every moment. Your senses perceive information every second of your existence and you make continual judgments on how you will interpret and react to your perceptions. The passage is very clear in communicating that HOW you judge is the issue. If you judge with condemnation, vindictiveness, or wrath, then, you will be judged with the same measure. If you judge with Love and Compassion, that is what you will receive. Whatever you sow, you will reap!]

When Mordecai, a Jew who had been brought into captivity, heard plans that King Xerxes was going to be killed, he turned in the culprits and kept it from happening. Even though he himself had been treated unkindly by this king, he still did what was right and was supportive and showed allegiance to the king. The judgment that he showed was honorable. He continued to show faithfulness to not only the king but to his God.

Pressure was exerted on Mordecai to bow to Haman, who was second in command to the king. Mordecai maintained his faithfulness and obeyed God by not bowing. When he refused to bow, Haman, in anger, placed a judgment of wrath upon, not only Mordecai, but the whole Jewish Nation. He ordered that a gallows be constructed to hang this man and then proceeded to devise a plan to annihilate the whole Jewish nation. The only thing he didn’t consider in his plan was God’s activity in it all. God has always been protective of “His Nation” and will never allow them to be completely annihilated. It was truly spiritual warfare where the darkness of Satan versus the goodness of God.

King Xerxes asked Haman how it should be handled if a man was chosen and appointed to a high position by the king. Specifically, he was asking, “what honor should that man receive”. Thinking the king was talking about him, Haman came up with a great recognition plan that included great honor. The only thing that Haman didn’t realize was that the man intended for this honor was Mordecai. Instead of the end result that Haman desired, God thwarted Haman’s plan and had Mordecai moved into second place in King Xerxes kingdom. Now, the man who was in last place was moved to first and became the kings second in command. With God, it has always been the underling that seems to come out on top. With the same judgment that Haman had pronounced against Mordecai and the whole Jewish nation - that judgment was given back to him.

This prompted me to ask myself,
“What judgment do I desire on those who have wronged me?”
“Do I truly desire God’s blessing on them?”
“What kind of judgment do I want to receive in the future?” Becky Quimby