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Justice vs. Corruption

"Taking PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY to uphold what is pure, right, and true"

 

 

JUSTICE – A Five-Minute Study
Faith Committee, Character Council of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky

Contributed by Trudy Pettibone
Bible Teacher, Cincinnati, Ohio
sApril 11, 2002

JUSTICE
Taking personal responsibility to uphold what is pure, right, and true.

BIBLICAL EXAMPLE - MORDECAI

In the book of Esther, we read about Mordecai, the cousin of Queen Esther of the Persian Empire (485-465 BC). Mordecai had raised Esther as his own daughter. In a way, Mordecai is the star of the story, although he is not talked about a lot. The first thing we see Mordecai doing is informing the King's officials of a plot against the King’s life. Mordecai heard of the plot as he sat in the gates of the Persian capital city of Susa, where he had been brought as a captive from Israel. The conspirators were hanged, and the incident was recorded in the King’s chronicles. Mordecai did not pursue the matter, seeking any recognition or honor for himself.

As Mordecai sat in the gate, he put himself in danger of losing his life. One of the King’s rulers frequently passed the gate, and people were commanded to bow down to him. Mordecai refused to bow down to this ruler, Haman, because as a Jew Mordecai could only worship the Lord, the God of Israel. Mordecai’s refusal to honor him infuriated Haman, and he devised a way to get rid not only of Mordecai, but of all of the Jews. Haman had the King order the destruction of all the Jews, although the King did not know that Haman was talking about the Jews, and he did not know that his Queen was a Jew.

When Mordecai heard of the plot, he went to Queen Esther, and persuaded her to ask the King to save the people. Esther asked all the people to fast and pray for her. Meanwhile, Haman was planning the death of Mordecai, and ordered that a gallows be constructed for him.

One night, as this was going on, the King was unable to sleep. He called for his chronicles. He found the plot against his life, and asked if the man who had saved his life had been rewarded. He was told no. It so happened that Haman was in the court at this time, and the King inquired of him how he could honor someone he wished to honor. Haman, thinking the King wanted to honor him—his arrogance knew no bounds—described to the King the greatest honor he could imagine. He was to be placed on one of the King’s horses, with a crown on his head. One of the King’s nobles was to walk the honored person on the horse through the city proclaiming “thus it shall be done to the person whom the King wishes to honor” (Esther 6:9). Imagine Haman’s horror when the King told him to then honor Mordecai in that way.

Meanwhile, the Queen had devised a plan whereby she might save her people and trap Haman. When the King discovered Haman’s treachery, he ordered that he be hanged on the gallows Haman had constructed for Mordecai. What happened to Mordecai? We are told at one point that he had become great in the King’s house. Later, we learn that he was second only to the King, and “great among the Jews, and in favor with the multitude of his kinsmen, one who sought the good of his people and one who spoke for the welfare of his whole nation" (Esther 10:3).

JUSTICE IN OUR LIVES -

Divide into pairs and discuss:

  • Haman, who sought great honor and treated people unjustly, was humiliated. Mordecai, who sought no honor, but only desired to do what was right and true, received great honor. Which person do you more closely relate to, Haman or Mordecai? Why?
  • Do you tend do that which is right in the sight of God, regardless of the pressures around you to do otherwise? Why or why not?
  • Do you tend to treat people with justice, regardless of circumstances, or do you tend to react to the way people treat you?
  • Are you willing to sacrifice to do what is right and true? How far will you go to uphold justice?

JUSTICE IN MY LIFE THIS WEEK -

Spend a few moments in personal reflection:

  • Ask God to show you one area in which you can grow in justice this week:
  • Respect the authority of the law.
  • Speak out for what is pure, right and true.
  • Not hold prejudice against anyone.
  • Remain open to reason.
  • Keep my conscience clean.
  • What one measurable action step can you take this week to grow in justice in this area?
  • Share your action step with a trusted friend and ask the friend to pray for you and hold you accountable to take that step this week.

 

This material is published by the Faith Committee of the Character Council of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Reproduction and Adaptation is encouraged.