An evil plan and a courageous response

A new player

A new character is brought into our story, Haman.

It says he was an Agagite, that makes him a descendent of the Amalekites. Amalek, was said to not fear god and denied the existence of the God of Israel. We will see that Haman will do the same.

Haman was promoted above every other noble. Everyone else bows down to him and we can see that the power starts to get to his head.

Why does Mordecai now bow down? Exodus 20:5 “Do not bow in worship to them, and do not serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, bringing the consequences of the fathers’ iniquity on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate me,”

-Although in some instances an Israelite would bow to a ruler, in many instances it was seen as bowing down to a God.

Haman “casts lots”, that is he tried to find the perfect day, like a horoscope, that he should go before the king with his plan.

-Ironically, he would be the one who would suffer.

-Many people turn to horoscopes, magic, superstitions, in order to guide their decisions.

-It is us believing in a form of godliness without its power.

-So Haman looks for a “lucky day” to pull of this scheme.

What does Haman tell the king in order to get his plot off the ground?

-”Their customs and laws are different.” Essentially...”they are a threat to us just by their words”.

-Those who live for a different authority or by different ethical principles may see us a dangerous.

-What ways might we be seen as dangerous?

-But notice that the king doesn’t even know who the people are or what they believe, but he is willing to take Haman’s word for it!

Haman also bribes official in order to make it happen.

Why does Haman come up with this plan to kill all Jews? Why does he desire to commit mass genocide against an entire people for one mans refusal to bow down to him?

-What happens when someone questions our power?

-What happens when someone makes us embarrassed?

We might say this sounds improbable but it has happened within the last 100 years more than once.

Haman summons all of these people a day before Passover. The day before they celebrate their freedom from Egypt there is a decree being made for their destruction.

Notice that “Susa was in confusion”, why might they be confused? Because they don’t know why this people group has been singled out to be killed, and for any other people group they might be worried the same will happen to them.

Mordecai calls for courage

We see that all of the Jews were mourning as well

Esther was concerned for Mordecai. But Mordecai told her how much was paid to make this happen and what exactly would occur. He told her to “plead” with the king “for her people”. He was telling her to be courageous. But there was a penalty for seeing the king unannounced. But Mordecai gives three argument

Esther won’t be exempt from the edict, meaning her life was in danger

Even if Esther does not act God will still act to save His people

This means that God’s purposes can’t be stopped just because we are disobedience

But if we don’t listen that it prevents us from acting within God’s plan and to enjoy the benefits that come with it. To not act is a loss not a gain, even if it is by fear.

She should not doubt because God has given her a purpose for what she has gone through and now is the time to show who God had made her to be. To take on purpose, otherwise her future might have a different path.

Her life purpose was at stake

Her freeing her people was more important than her title.

“Her dilemma is at some time the dilemma of us all: circumstances hem us in and demand that we commit ourselves to act courageously and exercise faith.”

But Esther shows that she is more concerned about the physical and spiritual needs of the world rather than her own security. Because she was here for “such a time as this”.

-If I perish, I perish

-Ironically, Esther was a similar wife to Xerxes as his first wife. Both willing to risk everything.

Esther responds

Esther dresses herself nice, she tries to get the kings attention.

In this suspenseful moment…the king allows her to approach.

-He knows if she has come unexpectedly that it is for an important reason.

Esther invites the king and Haman to a feast. Why?

-Less public and formal

-It would give her favor in the kings eyes

-Probably because of the wisdom God gave her as well. “She sensed the time was not right for her important request.” She wasn’t going to be hasty.

-It also allows for Haman to grow more prideful. Notice how he leaves joyful but all it takes is one look at Mordecai for him to become filled with rage and the need to prove himself.

-He has to go and brag about all he has to his wife and friends in order to prove how important he is.

-To me it is kind of awkward.

-Proverbs 12:23 “A shrewd person conceals knowledge, but a foolish heart publicizes stupidity.”

-All he is doing is showing that he is a fool.

-As smart as he thinks himself to be, he doesn’t recognize Esther’s plan.

-He wants it to be visible to all when he hangs Mordecai.

-He also gets joy from having them built, of making sure anyone that opposed him would be taken care of.

It also teaches us that one person who is willing to risk their life can help break an oppressive society.