Fall Cleanup

It seems as though every year we have things we need to clear out. If we don’t we end up with more clutter than treasures!

The book of Esther offers many lessons. It is the backstory though that can challenge us the most. There will always be consequences for things left undone.

In the book of Esther, Haman becomes the enemy of Mordecai and the whole nation of Israel. Haman is listed as the ancestor of Agag who was a king of the Amalekites.

The Amalekites are mentioned several places in the Old Testament Scriptures but the one that connects to the story of Esther is in 1 Samuel 15 where the Lord tells King Saul to execute judgment on Amalek and all that live there.

King Saul instead takes the spoil and leaves King Agag alive. Amalek and Israels history intersects when Israel comes out Egypt headed to the promised land. The Amalekites laid an ambush and attacked Israel from behind.

So here we are almost 600 years later and an Amalekite seeks to wipe out the entire population of Jews living in the Persian empire! King Saul had left things undone and it opened the door for the enemy to create problems in the future.

How many things are we leaving undone? Church attendance? Bible study? Spending time seeking the Lord? How about relational issues like forgiveness, compassion and mercy? How about being an encourager?

Lord help us to “look in the mirror” as James the Apostle has encouraged us to do so we can make adjustments! Lord help us to not become complacent but diligent so we do not leave things undone that will only result in consequences.