Esther 3:7 In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot… : —Revenge, when it becomes a master passion, is the worst madness. I. REVENGE IS BLIND IN ITS METHOD. This is illustrated in the conduct of Haman. He caused the lot to be cast to find out the favourable day for the accomplishment of his purpose. 1. He was blind to the fact that there is no chance. 2. He was blind to the fact that so-called chance might as easily be against him as for him. 3. He was blind to the fact that "the lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord." II. HAMAN PERSISTED IN HIS REVENGEFUL PURPOSE. What a glorious revolution would soon take place, if the good were as persistent in the pursuit of merciful purposes as the bad are in revengeful projects. Every bad passion is injurious in its permanence. III. REVENGE IS DESTRUCTIVE IN ITS PATIENCE. Haman was willing to wait twelve months in order that his revenge might be the more signally marked. But his very patience worked his ruin. Time is not on the side of revengeful waiters. (W. Burrows, B. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar. |
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