Us Against Them

Esther 2:21–23 KJV 1900

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.

Introduction

God’s promises never fail, bu they are seldom with out opposition. We can see in the life of Esther and the crisis of her time that God’s promise prevailed, but it was opposed by the devil.

Mankind Enemy

Without a doubt, the most famous family feud in American history was between the Hatfield and McCoy families.

The Hatfields and the McCoys lived on either side of a creek named Tug Fork. That creek served as the geographical border between Kentucky and West Virginia—the McCoys settling on the Kentucky side and the Hatfields living on the West Virginia side.

In 1878, McCoy accused Hatfield’s family of slipping across Tug Fork and stealing one of his hogs. Hog-stealing was a very serious offense back in those days, and Mr. McCoy took Mr. Hatfield to court over it. Unfortunately, he didn’t have enough evidence to bring about a conviction and the jury found the Hatfields innocent.

After the trial was over, someone from the McCoy family was so angry that he shot and killed a juror who had sided with the Hatfields.

Everything went downhill after that.

Four years after the shooting, one of the McCoys ran for public office. He was verbally attacked and discredited publicly by one of the Hatfields and lost the race as a result. A blood bath erupted, and after the final shot, three McCoys were dead, including the politically ambitious son.

But the fighting didn’t end there; those who supported either family along the border of Kentucky and West Virginia joined in the fray.

The feud reached its peak in the 1888 New Year’s Night Massacre, or so it was called, when several of the Hatfields surrounded the McCoy homestead and opened fire on the sleeping family. They also set the house on fire in an effort to drive Randolph McCoy out into the open. He managed to slip away and escaped the fire, but his family wasn’t so fortunate. His two children were killed that night, and his wife was left for dead.

The Hatfields and McCoys were often headline news throughout the country and at one point the governors of Kentucky and West Virginia called up their state militias to try to restore order.

When all was said and done, this family feud cost the lives of dozens of people—from both sides of Tug Fork.

And it all began with a stolen pig.

Haman vs Mordecai is the Hatfields and McCoys on steroids. The Hatfields and McCoys cost the lives of dozens, but Mordecai/Haman cost the lives of tens of thousands.

This was not just a Persia Vs Israel thing this was much more personal for Haman. This went all the way back to Exodus 17 and though they are defeated they are not eliminated and 900 years later they show up to fight Saul and though Saul spares Agag Samuel doesn’t.

1 Samuel 15:33 KJV 1900

And Samuel said, As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women. And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the Lord in Gilgal.

Agag may have been dead, but Amelek’s anger with Israel was far from dead and it rises to the surface once again in Esther.

Esther 3:10 KJV 1900

And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews’ enemy.

These are two nations in servitude… one to God and one to the god of this world.

This is not as minor as a stolen pig or a rebellious peasant. This was vengeance in the name of history.

On the surface, we could trace it back to a defeated nation, an executed king, a deposed family, and wounded pride to discover Haman’s reasons for hating the Jews.

The reality is this is a feud that reaches back to the throne room of Heaven itself before time began. Satan has a vendetta against God which he refuses surrender. His desire is to kill God’s covenant people.

So how befitting that we begin this week with Haman sitting at the Kings gate

Esther 2:21 KJV 1900

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.

Mordecai’s Promotion

“Sitting At The King’s Gate” means more than location, but rather represents a position of some influence.

When archeologists excavated the palace at Susa, they discovered that the King’s Gate was actually 12,000 square feet in size. An inscription by Ahasuerus was found, which revealed that the gate had been built earlier by his father Darius.

But as Sherlock would say, “The game was afoot.”

God’s Preperation

Esther 2:21 KJV 1900

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.

These men were doorkeepers/security guards. As eunuchs they would more than likely have been taken at a young age and castrated in order to serve the kings every pleasure without threat of messing with his harem.

Often eunuchs would rise through the ranks and become individuals of influence, such as Daniel.

Daniel unlike these eunuchs… rather than become bitter because of abduction or inability to marry or father children he chose to become a faithful and hardworking ambassador for God.

Throughout history many uprising were raised and strengthened by eunuchs. How Modecai heard we don’t really know… Josephus says that one of the eunuchs servant overheard and passed the message along to Mordecai either way the scripture says,

Esther 2:22–23 KJV 1900

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 made sure the king knew it was Mordecai who had warned him, and the kings response was… absolutely nothing.

It is important that this is abnormal. All through historical documents is great rewards for faithfulness and loyalty, but not this time. There is no historical reason this happened or didn’t happen, but there is a God reason.

God was waiting till the time was right to reward Mordecai. Later when Haman driven by demons would try to kill the Israelites and just when the devil thought he had one God reward’s Mordecai.

But that is still 4 chapters a way.

Mordecai Come Out Of His Shell

Somehow Haman is the one we see being promoted.

Esther 3:1–2 KJV 1900

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.

This was more than just not bowing. This was bowing in a nation that considered their leaders ( or at least the leaders considered themselves) as deities.

So this bowing was an offence to Jews as they served the one true God and it was an offence to the Persians as they fancied themselves gods.

Mordecai was literally risking it all by not bowing.

I’ve read several different views from Old Testament scholars on why Mordecai refused to bow to Haman:

• he was arrogant and upset that he wasn’t promoted instead of Haman;

• he wasn’t interested in court politics;

• he didn’t like Haman;

• he enjoyed irritating Haman, who wanted everybody to treat him like a little god.

While there might be truth in all these opinions, the most important reason Mordecai refused to bow is found in Esther 3:4. We don’t even have to guess—Scripture tells us clearly that when the king’s servants asked Mordecai why he wouldn’t bow, he told them it was because he was a Jew.

Mordecai gives us further insight in Esther 13, but we will get there.

So all of the sudden the guy who kept his ancestry hidden, suddenly risks all he has gained by keeping it hidden because Haman wants to be worshipped.

Maybe Mordecai had found out that everything he had gained by denying or at least keeping secret his heritage was useless.

He had climbed the ladder of success and found nothing worth eternity at the top.

There has got to be something else, something more, something different. Mordecai had been running from his history and his God.

Maybe he had finally realized there must be a greater kingdom than the immense kingdom of Persia.

Mordecai was disappointed not only with his life, but with life in general at the height of his life he could see into man’s throne room at it all seemed empty.

“Disappointment is the nurse of wisdom.”-Anonymous

Maybe Modecai realized that to reverence anyone but God was a violation of God’s Word.

“At this point in the story, I’m ready to throw my hat in the air and say, “Hurray for Mordecai. For the first time, he is taking a stand for God—and it will cost him potentially everything.”- J. Vernon McGee

Maybe Mordecai was trying every creative idea to get out of bowing. Maybe he slipped away of tried his best to just not be present, but eventually Mordecai decided to just take a stand.

Haman’s Overreaction

Esther 3:5–6 KJV 1900

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 shewed 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.

Haman must have realized he had an opportunity to settle his family feud because he didn’t just want Modecai dead he wanted them all dead. So he consulted his gods,

Esther 3:7 KJV 1900

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.

Esther 3:13 KJV 1900

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.

Haman is the first one who asks his god what to do.

If he followed Persian custom he had all the voodoo doctors of Persia come and cast the Pur to determine the will of his gods.

The Pur was basically shaped like dice and rolled out of a bowl. So Haman literally rolled the dice and if you don’t see the supernatural at work here.. the dice land on the day before the Passover would be celebrated.

Proverbs 16:33 KJV 1900

The lot is cast into the lap; But the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.

The Lord was about to remind the Israelites that He was their deliverer.

Once again even though God is invisible… He is still invincible and His grace is unmistakeable.

Haman was very sneaky and his gbout to get a death warrant signed, but God hasn’t lost control.

Esther 3:8 KJV 1900

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.

Haman knew exactly how to push the king’s buttons . The king has had two failed military campaigns he lost queen Vashti to a hasty and poor judgment. So Haman floats the thought that the slightest hint of a rebellion must be crushed immediately, but wait there is more… he sweetens the pot with 10,000 talents (400 tons or millions of dollars today).

Haman figured he could make it up with the possessions of the Jews who were killed.

Esther 3:11 KJV 1900

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.

This command/edict had no loop holes the king was clear.

Esther 3:13 KJV 1900

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.

This plan was nothing new and would be repeated in nazi Germany. The king of darkness has a very limited playbook. It goes like this…those people aren’t like us, they don’t belong here, they are a threat to our freedom because they don’t serve our god, they are the only thing between us and our desire… they must be eliminated.

Satan’s Predictable Plan

On the evening of November 9, 1938, a spontaneous eruption of violence against Jews occurred. Instigated primarily by Nazi party officials, the pogrom (ethnic cleansing) occurred throughout Germany, Austria, and a region of Czechoslovakia. The riots became known as Kristallnacht (German: Night of Broken Glass) because of the shattering of the windows of Jewish shops, stores, and homes.14

Fires across the country devoured synagogues and Jewish institutions. By the end of the rampage, gangs of Nazi storm troopers had destroyed 7,000 Jewish businesses, set fire to more than 900 synagogues, killed 91 Jews, and deported some 30,000 Jewish men to concentration camps.

Tension had been mounting. The Jewish people had been marginalized for months. Whispers circulated throughout Germany: Jews are different … they’re a threat to the country … they’re in the way of progress.

Himmler echoed the words of Hitler when he said of the Jews, “They do not belong to the same species but only imitate humans—they are as far removed from us as animals are from humans.”15

And as Hitler’s troops marched against the Jews, they chanted these unthinkable lyrics:

Sharpen the long knives on the pavement stone;

Sink the knives into Jewish flesh and bone,

Let the blood flow freely.16

Where does that kind of hatred and violence originate? It didn’t start in the heart of Himmler or Hitler … nor in the heart of Haman or Ahasuerus.

It originated in the heart of the King of Darkness.-Erwin Lutzer

Satan is the ultimate Jew hater and his last gasp of defiance will take place in Revelation 20 when he brings the holocaust to Jerusalem.

God’s ways may be mysterious, but Satan’s ways are not. He is predictable. It is simple he hates God’s chosen people the Jews, he hates the Jewish Messiah, Christ, and he hates the people whom God has extend His grace to and who believe n Christ.

Haman, Hitler, the Muslims, the Catholic doctrine of replacement theology etc.. are all nothing more than Satan’s puppets.

According to Lutzer’s research, Hitler’s dance with the devil started in the Hofberg Library in Vienna. There was a spear in a display case mounted on the wall, which was said to be the spear that pierced Christ’s side at the cross. Hitler was in his early twenties when he first saw the spear while taking a tour of the library. He overheard the guide say, “This spear is shrouded in mystery; whoever unlocks its secrets will rule the world.”

Those words would change Hitler’s life. He stood before the spear that very day and vowed to follow Satan. He went to that library and stared at the spear for hours, inviting its hidden powers to invade his soul. He believed this ancient weapon was a bridge between the natural world and the spiritual world.

Walter Stein, a friend of Hitler in those days, said that Hitler would stand before that spear “like a man in a trance or a man over whom some dreadful spell had been cast.” He went on to say that “the very space around him seemed enlivened with some kind of ghostly light. He appeared transformed as if some mighty spirit now inhabited his very soul, creating within and around him an evil transformation.”

When Hitler eventually marched victoriously into Vienna, he went into that library, took down the spear for himself and claimed, “I am now holding the whole world in my hands.”

And he almost did, but God raised up Christian nations against him. UK, USA, Etc.

The rulers of this world are playing chess on God’s board, but they still have to play within the boundaries, and by the rules. The outcome is alway assured.

God’s will will be accomplished.

God’s Faithful Provision

God is teaching His people that even in Persia He is the sovreign.

He was reminding them that there is no help in your government, or your friends; their isn’ security in your bank account or possessions; you can’t hide who you are and who you are supposed to trust forever.

Eventually you are going to have to admit that there is nothing you can do to save yourself.

Then and only then will you be exactly where God wants you… where he alone is your refuge and strong tower.

In June of 1937, a German pastor named Niemoller bravely preached against the atheism of the Third Reich, using these words to his congregation:

We have no more thought of using our own powers to escape the authorities than the apostles of old. No more are we ready to keep silent at man’s request when God commands us to speak. For it is, and must remain, the case that we must obey God rather than man.

Within a few days, Dr. Niemoller was arrested and imprisoned. He was held for seven months in solitary confinement before facing his trial on February 7, 1938. The indictments against him were fourteen pages long. He was accused of speaking against the Reich with malicious and provocative criticism. He had violated the law and was charged with “Abuse of Pulpit.”

That day, a uniformed soldier arrived to escort Niemoller from his cell to the courtroom. As they made their way through the corridors of the prison and a long underground tunnel, this faithful pastor became overwhelmed with thoughts of loneliness and fear.

He knew that his trial held a foregone conclusion. But what he didn’t know was why no one had sent word to him. Where were his family and friends? Where was his church that had stood with him?

He had heard from no one—they had been forbidden to communicate with him while he languished in solitary confinement.

With these thoughts flooding his mind, something remarkable happened. The soldier, whose face had thus far been impassive and who had not uttered a word, began to quietly speak, though still looking straight ahead.

His voice was so soft that Niemoller couldn’t understand his words at first. But as they reverberated over and over along the walls of a tunnel, he was able to make them out: The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe (Proverbs 18:10).

As Niemoller climbed the steps to the courtroom, he gave no sign that he had heard the words. But his fear was gone. A new sense of hope and trust took its place. He was condemned by the Third Reich and sent to a concentration camp for seven years. But he survived and was liberated at the end of the war to tell his story.

Proverbs 18:10 KJV 1900

The name of the Lord is a strong tower: The righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

Just like Niemoller the Jews were about to walk into some dark days , but the Lord is still a strong tower. We as believers are very possibly walking into some dark days, but the Lord is still a strong tower.

Conclusion

So what is the lesson

• When everyone else is unjust, He isn’t.

• When everyone else gives up, He doesn’t.

• When no one seems to notice, He does.

• When no one seems to care, He always will.

• Even when God seems distant, He is present.

• Even when God seems removed … He remains sovereign and faithful.

There is nothing to fear God is just moving the chess pieces “Checkmate” is soon to come.