Esther 3 AN EVIL MAN - A RIGHTEOUS MAN From our perspective as citizens of a modern republic, we normally think it would be impossible for a man with such an evil nature to be able to rise to the pinnacle of power as did Haman the Agagite. But then we stop to consider the facts that during the last one hundred years, men have risen to leadership of nations and have done worse than Haman. They have sought to exterminate those of a different religion, those who have different political opinions and those of a different race. Leaders have exterminated millions of their own countrymen.
The heart of natural man is evil by nature, craving their own exaltation in the same way Lucifer wanted to "be as God." Millions of people believe there is no God. Millions of other people believe they have only to answer to their own opinions as to what is right and wrong and choose to believe God is who they perceive Him to be. They are in essence making themselves their own god. Even those who call themselves Christians believe the One True God is merely a god of their own imagination who they can worship as serve in their own way without paying any attention at all to His own will revealed in the Bible.
When Mordecai refused to bow to Haman, he was not arrogantly taking a stand against the king's right- hand-man who had been appointed second in the kingdom. He was obeying the command of God to not have any gods above "The Lord God Almighty." Haman was an ambitious and arrogant man it is true, but also when he passed by, he expected people to do bow before him as they would to a god. The Persian officials who sat in the "king's gate" with Mordecai considered Haman to be of the same status as a god. When they prostrated themselves before Haman, they were giving reverence and honor to a false god. Mordecai, a known Jew, knew that was breaking the first of the Ten Commandments. He refused to give reverence to Haman who thought himself worthy of worship.
To even act like we are giving honor where honor is not due, and knowing that what we are doing is false adherence to the ungodly, is compromise for one's own purpose. It may be that a person does not want to be embarrassed by being different from everyone else around. It may be an act of belligerence as a challenge to embarrass someone else. It may be that one wants to be accepted as just one of the crowd; so we go along with that which we know is wrong. When the name and Person of our Lord Jesus Christ is involved, we dare not adapt to what is happening just for our own convenience or to escape censure. There are times when we must stand up and be counted as one who belongs to God no matter what others may do. Our God is a sovereign God and we must trust Him and be committed to do His will in spite of what it may cost us and whatever the consequences may be.
Mordecai was not going to acknowledge Haman as a god following the example of other faithful men before him. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego would not bow to the image Nebuchadnezzar had set up in the plain of Dura a number of years before. We too must worship God only. No man on earth, or institution, or government should ever take God's place in our lives. Others may try to get you submit to some decree that is contrary to God sovereign authority. Our loyalty belongs to God. Our first responsibility in duty is to "do all in the name of the Lord Jesus." If anything is pressed on us that takes God's place, or in which we cannot honor God by doing it, must be rejected. We should not give in to pressure to compromise our convictions and faith. There are times when we must stand alone for God against evil and compromise.
Haman's bitter antagonism was not only against Mordecai but against all Jews. The historic hatred of the Amalekites for the Jews went all the way back to when the children of Israel escaped from bondage in Egypt centuries before. Saul, the first king of Israel, did not fully deal with the Amalekite problem. A deep-seated hatred for Jews was in Haman's heart and he believed he had a way to deal with the Jews once for all. He was lifted up in pride at being the second in authority in Persia and wanted the reverence and personal prestige he felt was due him from everyone. To him the Jews were a threat to his power and authority, and he was consumed with hatred for them - all of them - men, women and children.
Even though the Jews had settled down and become like the people around them, they still had the heritage of their fathers. They recognized God as the only One to whom they could give reverence. Those who have been raised in Christian homes by God-fearing parent today, may not have any evidence of saving faith in Christ. But still they know, and can't forget what they have been taught. There may be rebellion and professed disbelief, but even though there may be bitterness against Christians and the assembly of God's people, they do not ignore what they have been taught as a standard of life for them. Many will take a position of indifference, but inwardly they know what is true when they hear it.
The plan devised by Haman to exterminate the race, began with him "casting pur," from which we get the name "The Feast of Purim." Pur is a way of casting lots like dice which number from one to twelve. When pur was cast it fell on the twelfth month. That meant there was nearly a year before his diabolical plan could be carried out. The sovereign God was again controlling even the times when such a plan could be carried out according to His divine purposes. He can even control the throw of dice.
Perhaps Haman was aware of the impulsive actions of the king, so he subtly brought into his request for permission to exterminate the Jews, the promise of a great deal of money that would come to the king. Without consideration or advice from other advisors, the king not only gave permission, but he also gave him the ring that gave the king's seal as the final word from the highest authority in Persia.
We have heard the adage, "Act in haste, repent in leisure" which must be avoided by those who serve the Lord. When making decisions that affect the public, counsel should be taken from other trusted and wise people before taking action. A point perhaps should be made here, that those who lead God's people need to consider that what they decide to do, should be consistent with what they know to be God's will. To act independently and then expect the Lord's people to give their wholehearted support just because one person wants that, is not realistic thinking.
Doubtless there was great consternation everywhere when the edict was made to kill all Jews. Men, women and children were to slain in one day on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month. Everything that belonged to the Jews would then be confiscated. It was made known to everyone throughout all the provinces of Persia that this was going to take place and when. In Susa, the people were very upset and concerned by the news because many Jews lived there, did business there, and likely intermarried to some extent. Who would live and who would die would be foremost on the minds of all the common people. The foolish deceived king and the sneaky, cruel Haman sat down to eat as if nothing out of the ordinary was going to happen. How far self- deception can go is amazing. The god of this world truly blinds the minds of unbelievers until the acts of genocide seem to be legitimate based on the whim of one man.
It is important for believers to keep in mind, that even in the most dire circumstance, the sovereign God is in control of events, and people, and nations.