Forgotten and Pursued
Mordecai Saves the King (2:19-23)
Haman and Mordecai’s Feud (3:1-6)
This enmity stems from the time of the exodus when Israel fought with Amalek in the wilderness. Exodus 17:15 foretells that the Lord would be at war with them from “generation to generation.” Balaam’s oracle (Num 24:7) predicts that the Israelite king would “be greater than Agag” (the Amalekite royal title). The ancient feud between the Israelites and the Amalekites is reported in 1 Sam 15. Agag was king of the Amalekites. Saul the Benjamite, son of Kish (1 Sam 9:1–2) was directed to destroy totally the Amalekites but failed to do so even though he won the war. He took Agag prisoner, but Samuel the prophet confronted Saul and cursed him for not completing the task. Samuel cut Agag into pieces, and Saul’s downfall began. Such a military conquest of Agag and his army is part of Israel’s tradition, which stands behind the scenes of the Book of Esther.
the Persians saw it as an act of reverence that bordered on recognizing the official as divine.
Haman’s Evil Plot (3:7-11)
Haman used the lot to select a favorable day to carry out his plot. This represents a view toward life that was part of the ancient world. Thousands of ancient Mesopotamian texts are omen texts. Kings decided whether or not to go to battle according to these omens, which were read from the livers of sacrificed animals.
As the highest official he undoubtedly had many opportunities to add to his personal fortune. Ten thousand talents of silver weighed about 750,000 pounds, an enormous amount worth millions of dollars in present-day currency.
Haman’s Plot Dispersed (3:12-15)
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
11 He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him.
12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,
13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.