Dedicated to my Someone Cares sisters
Esther—the road to genocide
Last time on Choosing Peace, Esther became queen. Her dad, Mordecai, overheard a plot to kill the king, and the would-be assassins were executed. We dug into conspiracies—evil plots. I shared my top seven documentaries, the Georgia Guidestones, being targeted vs. chosen, and more. Today, you’ll read about two angels, the Supreme Court and a cowboy.
Top dog
King Xerxes elevated one of his officials, Haman, to the highest position—and ordered that everyone bow down to Haman and “pay him honor.” But Mordecai, Esther’s dad, would not bow down.
Then the king’s servants, who were in the King’s Gate, said to Mordecai, “Why do you disobey the king’s commandment?” Now it came to pass, when they spoke daily to him, and he did not listen to them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai’s reason would stand; for he had told them that he was a Jew.
Esther 3:3-4, New Heart English Bible
What did the fact that Mordecai was a Jew have to do with his refusal to bow to Haman? With several theories out there, all I can say is: We don’t know, definitively. But there are some clues below.
From offense to genocide
The next part of the story of Esther is truly mind-boggling. Haman, the top dog in the empire, goes cray cray—I mean certifiable, out-of-his-mind, deranged crazy. Or does he?
When Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow down, nor pay him homage, Haman was full of wrath. But he scorned the thought of laying hands on Mordecai alone, for they had made known to him Mordecai’s people. Therefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews who were throughout the whole kingdom of [Xerxes], even Mordecai’s people.
Esther 3:5-6, New Heart English Bible
What would make someone go from “You offended me” to “I’m going to eliminate your entire race”? Genocide? Women and children? What in the world? See this Got Questions article to learn about the long-term hatred between Haman’s people, the Amalekites, and the Jews. (The last, short paragraph is an excellent summary.) In 1 Samuel 15, we learn that God commanded King Saul to annihilate the Amalekites and Saul disobeyed God. There were serious, long-term consequences for said disobedience.
Annihilation
Why did God order the annihilation of a people group—of a nation? Let’s do a rewind and repeat from part 3 and the amazing story of Samson, who fought against the Philistines—enemies of God’s chosen people.
Why?
Why did God take the Philistines out? Because they were evil. Because they poisoned his people with their ways. Because they fought against the Israelites—and tormented them. Because they were pagans who were never going to leave the darkness and come to the light.
Because God loves his people. A loving father protects his own.
A time for justice
How about another example. Consider Sodom and Gomorrah from Genesis 18 and 19. The first warning about the people of Sodom came in Genesis 13:13, “Now the people of Sodom were evil, sinning greatly against God” (NHEB). What does “sinning greatly” mean?
Crying out
People who suffered from the evil of Sodom and Gomorrah cried out to God for justice. Their cries were heard and God planned to destroy the evil cities. When I say evil, it’s beyond our comprehension. Truly. Abraham pleaded and asked God not to destroy Sodom—where his nephew Lot lived—if 10 or more righteous people were found there. Sadly, there weren’t 10 or more godly people in the whole city.
Two angels and one mob
God sent two angels to Sodom. They played a critical role in the unfolding of the events there. Lot saw the two angels in town and asked them to stay at his house and to depart early the next morning. Why? Because he knew the dangers of his city. Extreme dangers. The angels declined and said they’d just sleep in the town square.
But [Lot] urged them so strongly that they came in with him, and entered into his house. He made them a feast, and baked unleavened bread, and they ate. But before they could lie down to sleep, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, surrounded the house, both young and old, all the people from every quarter. They called to Lot, and said to him, “Where are the men who came in to you this night? Bring them out to us, that we may have sex with them.” Lot went out to them at the entrance, and shut the door behind him. He said, “Please, my brothers, do not act so wickedly….”
Genesis 19:3-7, New Heart English Bible
A mob of men from every part of the city came to sexually assault the two visitors. The snarling pack of hyenas encircled their prey. Terrifying. Sickening. Unfathomable. The angels pulled Lot inside, shut the door and blinded all the men so they couldn’t find the door. Supernatural power was required to protect those in the house.
Have you ever experienced God’s supernatural protection? I sure have. Read this post about the time when God protected me from a murder plot.
God’s mercy
Early in the morning, the angels told Lot that they were about to destroy the city due to the outcry against it. They told him to high-tail it to the hills with his family. But Lot lingered. Was he in shock? Overwhelmed? I imagine so. The Lord was very merciful and patient with him. The angels took Lot, his wife and their two daughters by the hand and urgently led them out of the city.
Was there a time in your life when you were overwhelmed, afraid, not sure what to do—and God took you by the hand and led you? The Lord did that for me during an amazing biplane ride.
God’s justice
After Lot and his family were safe, God took care of business.
Then the LORD rained on Sodom and on Gomorrah sulfur and fire from the sky. He overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew on the ground.
Genesis 19:24-25, New Heart English Bible
Almighty God torched those cities—and rightly so.
What if there had been a small handful of God-fearing people in Sodom or Gomorrah? They would have gone from hell-on-earth to heaven—a definite improvement, to say the least. Speaking of heaven, the book Imagine Heaven is a must-read. See part 4 for more.
God’s idea vs. our idea
Why is it admirable for God to take out a nation of evil people, but it’s definitely not okay when people plot genocide? Because God is perfect. He is light. In him is no darkness at all. And I’ll say it again: A loving father protects his own. God sees the unseen. God knows the impact. God is not bound by time. He knows the long-term ramifications of every life on earth.
When God eliminates evil, he shows us his righteousness.
His protection. His sovereignty.
When people attempt to eliminate their enemies en masse, the genocide takes significant time to plan and execute. Also, it is—invariably—sadistic and gruesome. God’s judgment is righteous. Man’s genocide is evil. God’s judgment is about the truth. Man’s genocide is about lies. God’s judgment is swift. Man’s genocide is cruel. God’s judgment protects others. Man’s genocide ruins others.
When we think of the word genocide, we may think of the Jewish people during World War 2, Rwanda in 1994 or Darfur in West Sudan. Does genocide always happen to ethnic or religious groups? No.
The silent genocide
I call abortion The Silent Genocide. Fifty years ago, in 1973, the Supreme Court made its landmark Roe v. Wade ruling, legalizing abortion in the United States. The Supreme Court basically rewrote the Constitution—making abortion an “inalienable right” for girls, teens and women—in direct opposition to the fundamental inalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness—denied to more than 64 million children whose lives have been taken. Yes, the Supreme Court reversed Roe v. Wade last summer and sent this issue back to the states. We rejoice in that; but we also know that women in Texas are driving to New Mexico for their abortions. The Silent Genocide remains alive and well and available throughout our land. For now. Join me in praying for the day when abortion is history—never to return.
The spiritual, social and economic costs of abortion have been astronomical. I was blown away when I found this 2022 House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee report. It will surprise you too—in the best way. Is the tide turning? Last year, the Supreme Court reversed Roe v. Wade. In the same year, the House heard testimony and reported on the economic costs of abortion—$6.9 trillion in 2019 alone. Keep praying. Big things are happening.
Questions and answers
Why has The Silent Genocide happened? Who is behind it? Satan is the author of destruction. Who are his minions? Watch “Bloodmoney: The Business of Abortion,” narrated by Dr. Alveda King, niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This 2010 documentary, although rather difficult to find, is well worth watching. I watched it last week and learned so much. How does the abortion industry ensure a steady stream of business? The answers will shock and disgust you. How does the billion-dollar abortion industry poison our elections? Follow the money. What are the far-reaching effects of abortion? You’ll start to understand and you’ll nod your head with sadness.
The silence and the voices
One in three American women—millions—have experienced abortion. You know many of them; but most of the time, you don’t know who they are. They’re silent. This comment in “Bloodmoney” stood out to me: “In abortion, it’s not about choice; it’s about despair.” You’ll hear from Carol Everett, who ran a very lucrative abortion business, and many women who suffered the trauma of abortion. If you’re angry at them or disgusted by them, “Bloodmoney” will help you move toward compassion.
You may think your family has been untouched by abortion,
but your family has been touched by it. Deeply.
If one-third of American women have experienced abortion, how many men have? A similar number. If you think the men aren’t affected, think again. Read Fatherhood Aborted by Guy Condon and David Hazard. It’s outstanding—filled with real-life stories from men and couples. Fatherhood Aborted is my favorite book on abortion. After you read it, you’ll understand why. I highly recommend it.
Why?
When you wonder what happened to our country, why marriages and families have fallen apart, why morality has plummeted, why depression and anxiety have skyrocketed—you’ll find many of the answers in these three documentaries:
“Out of Shadows,” about the media—essential and very disturbing,
“Bloodmoney,” about abortion, and
“America’s War on Drugs”—better titled “The CIA’s Partnership with Drug Cartels.”
Why is our world such a mess? Because evil conspiracies are alive and well. See part 6 for much more, including seven highly-recommended documentaries.
Trauma
One of the primary goals of each large-scale evil plot is to create and maintain a repeatedly- or constantly-traumatized public. (Details in “Out of Shadows.”) Masterminds know that long-term, chronic trauma—as in the case of abortion—is ideal. Why?
Traumatized people are usually:
(1) easy to control;
(2) involved in unstable relationships (which often passes trauma down to the next generation); and
(3) rabid consumers—of non-essentials, entertainment, technology, alcohol, drugs, pornography, gambling, psychiatrists, pharmaceuticals, lawyers, body enhancements and mutilation, etc.
Also, traumatized people—when compared with our healthy counterparts—are more disengaged from a patriotic, God-honoring role in church, politics and culture. In other words, when we’re sufficiently traumatized, we’re too overwhelmed or messed up to positively impact the larger society. We’re just hiding, coping or focusing on ourselves and/or our immediate family, even after our children are grown.
Truth and honor
But here’s some very good news. Conspiracies against We The People (e.g., abortion, the gender identity movement, and COVID vaccines) are being exposed and fought against—with truth and honor.
Join the fight. Share part 6 and today’s post.
Speak the truth. Pray.
Salvation and healing
The two best things for everyone touched very personally by abortion are Jesus and healing. The women and men who’ve worked in the industry need salvation and healing. Carol Everett, the abortion director featured in “Bloodmoney,” was saved and became a powerful advocate for life. Now she works to expose the evils of the abortion business. The secrets are being exposed. Christians who work in the industry can walk away as they lay down their fear or denial. (Read The Walls Are Talking for details.) Women and men who lost a child to abortion need Jesus and healing. As Jesus transforms us and our traumas are laid down, we can help impact others who need healing too.
I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings, be made for all people: for kings and all who are in high places; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; who desires all people to be saved and come to full knowledge of the truth.
1 Timothy 2:1-4, New Heart English Bible
Someone cares
If you or someone you know needs post-abortion healing, contact Someone Cares. If you think you don’t know anyone who needs post-abortion healing, I assure you that you do! Will you post Someone Cares on your social media several times per year? Healing is available to every post-abortive woman—even after decades of silence and suffering. God does a mighty, healing work every time. I hope this baptism photo from the last weekend retreat will bless you richly. (Photo used with permission.)
Someone Cares sisters, the song at the end of this post was chosen especially for you all, with much love.
More
For more about the abortion business, read The Machine here on Choosing Peace. (It includes additional resources at the end, including healing retreats for men and couples.) To learn about our Someone Cares rescue squad—I mean our leadership team—see this post. What about other traumas? To learn how to lay down a trauma or loss, read all six parts of The Trauma of Perfection from the Grieving series.
You had no idea that we’d be visiting Sodom and Gomorrah and the abortion industry today, did you? Thank you for your patience. Let’s get back to chapter 3 of Esther and the bad guy, Haman.
The road to genocide
Step 1: Rolling the dice
Before approaching King Xerxes for permission, someone cast the lot—threw the dice—for Haman every day for months to determine when the genocide of the Jewish people would take place. The Blood Bath was scheduled in the twelfth month. Wait a minute. Haman scheduled The Blood Bath as his first item of business? Yes, he did. This was a done deal. He would make sure of that.
Then Haman lied to the king.
Step 2: Telling the lies
Haman was quite the skilled liar, don’t you know—lies of commission and lies of omission, lies that misled, lies that implied, lies that manipulated. Hey, that sounds like the abortion business. I digress.
Haman said to King [Xerxes], “There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom, and their laws are different than other people’s. They do not keep the king’s laws. Therefore it is not for the king’s profit to allow them to remain. If it pleases the king, let it be written that they be destroyed; and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those who are in charge of the king’s business, to bring it into the king’s treasuries.”
Esther 3:8-9, New Heart English Bible
Haman did not speak the truth. At all. He never told the king what precipitated his request—the fact that Mordecai wouldn’t bow down to him—plus the fact that Mordecai was a Jew. Haman was vague (“a certain people”), he insinuated trouble (“their laws are different”), and he generalized (“they disobey you”). Really? Every Jew in the province disobeyed the king? Not true. Then Haman made a conclusion based on his lies—“It’s not good for you to let them live.” For the final nail in the coffin, Haman offered to pay the king 375 tons of silver. Translation: “My posse will murder and plunder these undisclosed peeps throughout the province and bring you the money.”
Wow. Haman sounds like a sociopath or a malignant narcissist to me, but what do I know. (For more, scroll to Sociopaths on this page of the index.)
Step 3: Issuing the royal decree
King Xerxes gave Haman his signet ring—his royal authority—and told Haman to keep the money and do whatever he wanted with the people. “Here you go. Do whatever you want.” Was the king distracted that day or just totally misled by Haman’s lies?
The royal secretaries were summoned, they wrote the decree in every language in the province, Haman signed each copy of the decree with the king’s signet ring, couriers were sent out, and the people were notified. “On thus-and-so date, the Jewish people will be annihilated and all that they own will be plundered.” It was a done deal.
Response
King Xerxes and Haman sat down for a drink. They were done with the day’s work. And the people were in shock.
Are your eyes bugging out? Mine are.
Remember from the last post:
God is on his throne.
In Haman’s eyes, the annihilation of the Jews was a done deal. But God saw something very different on the horizon—in the days ahead.
God. Is. On. His. Throne. I hope that encourages you today.
The American cowboy
Speaking of encouragement, let’s end this heavy post with something heartwarming and encouraging. Brandon and I stumbled upon Cowboy Kent Rollins on YouTube recently. He’s a cowboy cook, a patriot, and a God-honoring, family-loving man. You’ll learn some great cooking tips; but even if you don’t cook, you’ll smile as you encounter this cowboy’s joy in the Lord, his patriotism, his dogs and more.
This is the first Cowboy Kent video we watched. And we kept on watching.
God bless you all!
Coming next: How will Mordecai, the Jews and Queen Esther respond to the royal edict that they were about to be annihilated? Will the next chapter in their story tie in with current events? Come back next time and find out. Translation: “I don’t have the foggiest idea.”
Thanks for reading and for Choosing Peace.
Blessed by truth and music
Peaceful Readers, I’m deeply blessed by God’s word and music. I hope the scripture and song that I share at the end of each post will bless you too.
Truth from The Word: Psalm 71:3
Song: “Oh Lord, My Rock and My Redeemer” by Sovereign Grace