Now and Then

Now and Then
What we do matters for eternity. R.C. Sproul had a recurring column in Tabletalk Magazine entitled “Right Now Counts Forever.” Dr. Sproul would regularly remind the reader that everything that we do matters in the grand scope of eternity. Every kind word, tear shed, hour worked, book read, etc. matters profoundly. What we do or do not do matters. Sometimes we cannot see the fruit of our actions, but they still matter in the grand scope of eternity. 

Think about Mordecai in the book of Esther. He is living his life trying to figure out how to be a good Jew in a nation that does not uphold his values or traditions. Then there comes the squabble with Haman. Haman is appointed by the king, and yet Mordecai will not recognise him as everyone else does. What’s the deal? Why is there tension between Haman and Mordecai from the start and we are not let in on the details? That is because we have already been let in on the details and we have failed to pick up them.

In Esther 3:1 Haman is introduced as “Haman the Agagite.” It is a detail that most people overlook and don’t think twice about. In Esther 2:5 Mordecai is introduced  as “the son of Jair, son of Shimei, son of Kish, a Benjaminite.” The connection and tension  between Mordercai and Haman is clearly seen when we understand who they both are. Mordecai is the descendant of Kish. Kish is the father of Saul, the first king of Israel. It was Saul, the son of Kish, who was commanded to go and eliminate the Amalekites in 1 Samuel 15. Yet, Saul does not obey the Lord and bring none other than King Agag back with him alive.

Mordecai is kinfolk to Saul. Haman is kinfolk to Agag. there would have been real tension between those in both families. Yet, had Saul obeyed the command of God and destroyed the Amalekites then this situation might have looked very different. When Saul disobeyed the Lord he was denounced as king over Israel. Yet his actions had effects even generations later. What Saul did mattered for him and it mattered for those who came after him.

What you and I do each day matters. It matters for our children, and our children’s children. What we do matters for eternity. What we do now will effect then, even if we are not around for the “then.” Therefore, let us press on each day for Christ’s sake. Do all that you might to the glory of God that He might receive the praise both now and in every generation.

Grace be with you, 
C. R. Hamilton