READ: Esther 3
Here is
where the plot thickens, where the heart of the story comes to life. We are
introduced to Haman, a descendant of Agag, king of the Amalekites and enemy of
Saul, king of Israel (see 1 Samuel 15). Haman is a man of intense hatred and
pride, carrying the generational loathing of the Jewish people that originated
with his ancestors. King Xerxes gives Haman a promotion, setting him above all
of the king’s officials. It was a custom of Persian etiquette to bow to ones
superiors, not in worship, but in respect. However, for whatever reason –
whether it was because of Haman’s open hatred towards Jews or for some other
reason – Mordecai refused to bow.
We see
Haman, like others before and since, emerging as Satan’s pawn to destroy the
Jewish people. The reader feels his pure loathing, not only for Mordecai, but
for the Jewish people as a whole, as he sets forth to annihilate the Jews, even
offering a bribe to the king’s treasury! A day is chosen by the casting of lots
and a decree is sent throughout the empire that on the 13th day of
the 12th month, all people are to kill and plunder the Jews – young,
old, women and children. And we see the wickedness of both Haman and King
Xerxes as they sit down to drink to the destruction of an entire people group.
This was
no small thing; the Persian Empire encompassed all of the Jews. This was a
deliberate act of Satan to destroy God’s chosen people and stop the coming of
the Messiah. He had already tried through other leaders (Pharaoh (Exodus 14),
Athaliah (2 Kings 11)), and he would not stop at Haman! Herod would condemn
hundreds of baby boys to death when he would hear about the Messiah’s birth
from the Magi. And this isn’t just a thing of ancient civilizations – Hitler
unabashedly tried to wipe out the Jewish people only a short while ago in our
own “civilized” society. Satan and mankind are not getting less evil. Satan’s goal has always
been to destroy God’s people, and mankind has always had a sin nature. Through sinful people willing to follow
him, Satan continues to work towards the destruction of God’s people, both Jews
as God’s chosen and Gentiles who have been grafted into the family. But our God
will not be mocked; His plans will not be thwarted. This is why the Apostle Paul
declares with great joy in Colossians 2:15 what happened when Jesus went to the
cross: “And having disarmed the powers
and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over
them by the cross.” Jesus openly shamed Satan when he rose from the
grave, and He will triumphantly defeat Satan one final time yet to come. Our
God is indeed great!
JOURNALING AND PRAYER
1. Hatred
is a slippery slope. We are to hate only sin and never people. Hatred towards
others is the exact opposite of God, who is Love. When we hate others, we are
breaking the most important commandments: to love God and to love others, for
if we hate our brother or sister, we do not love God (see 1 John 4:20). Read 1
John 2:9-11. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you if you have hatred in your heart
towards another individual. Spend some time confessing this to Him, asking Him
to cleanse you from these feelings. Ask Him for a step of obedience He wants
you to take in loving this person.
2. The
Jewish people continue to be hated by other nations; we see evidence of this in
the news every day. We need to pray for the Jewish people, that God would
continue to protect them and their land, and that their eyes would be opened to
the truth about Jesus. Many Jews have dismissed Jesus and are still waiting for
their Messiah to come; others have no active faith at all. Pray for a great
turning among the Jewish people, that they would learn and love the truth.
3. Spend
time worshipping God for His sovereignty. While Haman and Xerxes drank wine and
plotted the destruction of the Jews, God was not ringing His hands in fear or
discouragement. God is never afraid; His plans are never frustrated. There is
no one like our God! Thank Him for who He is. Think of a situation that has you
frustrated, discouraged or worried. Remember that God is not feeling these
things. Thank Him for who He is in your situation.
