Esther. Through the provision of the Lord she was selected as the new queen to take Vashti's place (2:5). Mordecai had discovered a plot to assassinate the king and through Esther warned him (2:21-23). Ha man had been conspiring against the monarch. What a politician he was! From obscurity he had been elevated to a position above all the leaders of Persia. He is typical of those who gain greatness without goodness. The king had com manded his servants to reverence Haman. Since Mordecai would not (the first commandment prohibited a Jew to worship anyone but the Lord), Haman was infuriated. Oft times emotions display one's true character. (What causes us to become angry?) Shallow men be come self-centered and deeply an gered over the incidental things of life. Men who are grown in spirit may manifest proper righteous in dignation when they are defending eternal principles. Haman's pro gram against Mordecai and the people of Israel was evil coniving and revenge (3:6-15). The wicked scheme was insti gated by the devil who sought to make void the promises of God. Satan knew that from the seed of David there would arise Jesus Christ who would bruise his head. With the nation destroyed and the de scendants all dead, the promised Deliverer could not be born. The making of slanderous accusations were the start of Haman's subtle insinuations (3:7-9). He offered the king 10,000 talents of silver for the privilege of doing away with the Jewish people. Ahasuerus foolishly gave the ring of authority to Ha man in order that he might carry out his nefarious plan. He did not Page 45
Many will foolishly go astray even after years of faithful service. They die like Moses, on Mt. Nebo, short of the goal. Let us beware lest we fall into the same errors. Haman In this study we want to empha size the danger of allowing person al power to turn to pride. The life of Haman demonstrates the folly of anti-semitism as divine retribution falls on one who willfully moved against God. The book of Esther is our basis of illumination from Scripture. The king had promoted this scheming fellow to be ahead of all the land's princes (3:1-5). It has been well said that some peo ple grow under responsibilities while others merely "swell." The latter was true with Haman. The Jewish people at this point in history were in exile with no ceremonial relationship to the Lord. At the same time they were still under His watch-care and di vine protection. God's face was hidden from them because of their own sin. No doubt one reason why His name is not mentioned in the entire book is doubtless because of the broken fellowship between the Lord and His own people. Yet, in spite of their unfaithfulness, He remained true to His covenant and to His promise. The king of Persia, Ahasuerus, had divorced his wife because she refused his command to display herself lewly before the princes. His advisors suggested that a new queen should be chosen from among the most beautiful women of the empire (2:1-4). Mordecai was a Jewish exile in the land of Persia. He had adopted an orphan daughter of an uncle. Her name was Hadassah which, in Persian, is
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