ABC: Zealous for His Kingdom Zion

The previous ABC posts are entitled: Walk Wisely, Worship Well, eXtra Portion of His eXcellent Spirit, and Your Savior Yearns for You. And today's final ABC post is Zealous for His Kingdom Zion.

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‍Zealous for His Kingdom Zion? Synopsis of Esther 3:1-15, 7:3-10.

The term "Zion" is another name for the city of Jerusalem, but it can also refer to the entire people of Israel (and then to all of God's people).  Long ago, Haman the Agagite hated the Jewish people simply because Mordecai, a certain Jew, would not bow to him at the king's gate. This one act of defiance by Mordecai infuriated Haman, so he sought revenge. With the king's permission, he used his anger to devise a wicked plan that would not only kill Mordecai, but would also bring about the complete annihilation of the Jewish people. He was zealous to destroy God's kingdom. But as always, God's loving power is greater than man's evil schemes. God purposefully placed Queen Esther, also a Jew, for such a time as this to intervene and prohibit Haman from killing the Jewish people. So "Zion" lives on; but Haman, on the other hand, was hung from the very gallows he intended for Mordecai.

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‍Zealous for His Kingdom Zion! Synopsis of Isaiah 62:1-7.

‍On the other hand, there was a prophet of old who spoke God's word to His people. He declared with fervor, "For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem's sake I will not remain quiet" (Isaiah 62:1). When Isaiah spoke, he was filled with the Spirit of God; he accurately portrayed God's intentions towards His people, both in judgment and redemption. He spoke of the future Messiah. Through Isaiah, God promised that the suffering Zion (and all God's people to this day) would inherit new names such as these: Holy People, the Redeemed of the Lord, and Sought After (Isaiah 62:12). These new names that Isaiah prophesied about belong to any and all who claim Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Jesus Himself made this possible by His sacrificial death on the cross.

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When looking at these two men, here are a few questions:

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Who am I today, the self-seeking-Haman, or the Christ-proclaiming-Isaiah?

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Who, in my world, doesn't know the Lord or needs encouragement in their faith walk?

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Am I zealous for others to know the Lord?

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In the contrasting passages, we see Haman plotting destruction, while Isaiah was preaching salvation. Haman was promoting hatred of a people group, while Isaiah was promoting the love of God. Haman died an unwilling but deserving death "on a tree"; Isaiah prophesied about Jesus, who died a willingly but undeserving death "on a tree."

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I must make a choice of where I put my passion, where I spend my time, how I spend my energy, and then live with either the consequence or the blessing of my choices.

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‍O God, first I want to thank You for Your zeal for me! YOU did not keep silent. Heaven opened and Jesus came. You gave Your life so that I could be called "Holy, Redeemed, Sought After." Thank You! Now I ask that Your zealous love would consume me. Help me to put my self agenda down, and pick Your beautiful will up. Fill me with your truth; please, I want to be Your mouthpiece. Amen.