Esther 2:20-3:15
“Esther had not yet showed her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him.” (Esther 2:20)
Because of a growing anti-Semitism, Mordecai had advised Esther not to tell anyone that she was Jewish. Because of her respect for him she did what he said just like she had dons as a child.
“In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king's gate, two of the king's chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus.
And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai's name. And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out; therefore they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king.” (Esther 2:21-22)
Thanks to his relationship to Esther not being widely known and his being accorded a position of respect allowing him access to the gates of the city where the influential people gathered, Mordecai learned of a plot by two of the gatekeepers to murder Ahasuerus. He secretly passed the information to her, and she informed the king. The conspirators were hanged and the events were recorded in the daily record.
“After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him. And all the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence.” (Esther 3:1-2)
Sometime later, Ahasuerus decided to promote an Agagite man named Haman to be Prime Minister. He ordered that the people bow and treat Haman as a very important personage, almost like a god. Mordecai refused to bow or give him such reverence, recalling the command in Exodus 34:14, “For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.” James 2:9 warns, “But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.”
“Then the king's servants, which were in the king's gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king's commandment? Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew.” (Esther 3:3-4)
By refusing to bow, Mordecai was disobeying the king’s command and the servants warned him thinking he might just not know. When they realized it was deliberate they reported him to Haman to see whether he would get by with it.
“ And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath. And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had showed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.” (Esther 3:5-6)
Like a lot of others Haman wanted to be considered important, and he was angered by Mordecai’s refusal to treat him as he felt he should be treated. He decided to punish him for his “disrespect.” Realizing Mordecai was a Jew, Haman decided to kill all the Jews while he was at it. That seems an excessive reaction until you consider who Haman was.
Haman was an Agagite, a descendant of the Amalekite king, Agag. Because of the treacherous attack by the Amalekites on Israel when they came out of Egypt, God had pronounced judgment against them and sent Saul to destroy them, killing every person. Saul had disobeyed God, saving Agag alive and letting some escape. Agag’s descendants had never forgiven Israel for their destruction, repeatedly trying to kill the Jews. Haman saw this as an opportunity to even that old score, four hundred years later. People who hang onto grudges lose all sense of justice and proportion.
“In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar.
And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them. If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king's treasuries.” (Esther 3:7-9)
Seven or eight years after Esther became queen, Haman set his plot to destroy the Jews in motion. He started by seeking the most auspicious day, casting lots for each day of the year to see what his gods would say.
When he approached Ahasuerus, he didn’t reveal who he was trying to kill or why, but accused them of being a disruptive influence who refused to obey the laws of Persia and fomenting rebellion. He offered to personally give ten thousand talents of silver to help pay for getting rid of them. Of course a politician like Ahasuerus could not pass up the offer of money.
“And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy. And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee.” (Esther 3:10-11)
Like many other leaders, Ahasuerus authorized Haman to do what he wanted without asking enough questions or maintaining adequate control. He waved off Haman’s offer to pay, stating he would pay for it himself.
“Then were the king's scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's ring.
And the letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey. The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, that they should be ready against that day. The posts went out, being hastened by the king's commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed.” (Esther 3:12-15)
With the authorization in hand, Haman went to the scribes and had a letter written and sent to every province in the Persian empire ordering that every Jew was to be killed on the thirteenth day of the last month of the year. The contents were to be published or publicly proclaimed so that everyone would have time to prepare for the slaughter. The letters were sent as an urgent matter in the king’s name.
When the message was declared in the palace, Haman met with the king to let him know everything was going according to plan. While the king and Haman were celebrating their progress, the people who knew what was going on were quite upset, much like what happened with the passage of the various bailouts and the healthcare act. The king had no clue as to what the consequences would be, but the people were aware of the potential dangers. Unfortunately political leaders frequently are unaware of the consequences of their actions.
“Esther had not yet showed her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him.” (Esther 2:20)
Because of a growing anti-Semitism, Mordecai had advised Esther not to tell anyone that she was Jewish. Because of her respect for him she did what he said just like she had dons as a child.
“In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king's gate, two of the king's chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus.
And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai's name. And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out; therefore they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king.” (Esther 2:21-22)
Thanks to his relationship to Esther not being widely known and his being accorded a position of respect allowing him access to the gates of the city where the influential people gathered, Mordecai learned of a plot by two of the gatekeepers to murder Ahasuerus. He secretly passed the information to her, and she informed the king. The conspirators were hanged and the events were recorded in the daily record.
“After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him. And all the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence.” (Esther 3:1-2)
Sometime later, Ahasuerus decided to promote an Agagite man named Haman to be Prime Minister. He ordered that the people bow and treat Haman as a very important personage, almost like a god. Mordecai refused to bow or give him such reverence, recalling the command in Exodus 34:14, “For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.” James 2:9 warns, “But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.”
“Then the king's servants, which were in the king's gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king's commandment? Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew.” (Esther 3:3-4)
By refusing to bow, Mordecai was disobeying the king’s command and the servants warned him thinking he might just not know. When they realized it was deliberate they reported him to Haman to see whether he would get by with it.
“ And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath. And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had showed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.” (Esther 3:5-6)
Like a lot of others Haman wanted to be considered important, and he was angered by Mordecai’s refusal to treat him as he felt he should be treated. He decided to punish him for his “disrespect.” Realizing Mordecai was a Jew, Haman decided to kill all the Jews while he was at it. That seems an excessive reaction until you consider who Haman was.
Haman was an Agagite, a descendant of the Amalekite king, Agag. Because of the treacherous attack by the Amalekites on Israel when they came out of Egypt, God had pronounced judgment against them and sent Saul to destroy them, killing every person. Saul had disobeyed God, saving Agag alive and letting some escape. Agag’s descendants had never forgiven Israel for their destruction, repeatedly trying to kill the Jews. Haman saw this as an opportunity to even that old score, four hundred years later. People who hang onto grudges lose all sense of justice and proportion.
“In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar.
And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them. If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king's treasuries.” (Esther 3:7-9)
Seven or eight years after Esther became queen, Haman set his plot to destroy the Jews in motion. He started by seeking the most auspicious day, casting lots for each day of the year to see what his gods would say.
When he approached Ahasuerus, he didn’t reveal who he was trying to kill or why, but accused them of being a disruptive influence who refused to obey the laws of Persia and fomenting rebellion. He offered to personally give ten thousand talents of silver to help pay for getting rid of them. Of course a politician like Ahasuerus could not pass up the offer of money.
“And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy. And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee.” (Esther 3:10-11)
Like many other leaders, Ahasuerus authorized Haman to do what he wanted without asking enough questions or maintaining adequate control. He waved off Haman’s offer to pay, stating he would pay for it himself.
“Then were the king's scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's ring.
And the letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey. The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, that they should be ready against that day. The posts went out, being hastened by the king's commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed.” (Esther 3:12-15)
With the authorization in hand, Haman went to the scribes and had a letter written and sent to every province in the Persian empire ordering that every Jew was to be killed on the thirteenth day of the last month of the year. The contents were to be published or publicly proclaimed so that everyone would have time to prepare for the slaughter. The letters were sent as an urgent matter in the king’s name.
When the message was declared in the palace, Haman met with the king to let him know everything was going according to plan. While the king and Haman were celebrating their progress, the people who knew what was going on were quite upset, much like what happened with the passage of the various bailouts and the healthcare act. The king had no clue as to what the consequences would be, but the people were aware of the potential dangers. Unfortunately political leaders frequently are unaware of the consequences of their actions.
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