A Diabolical Person Esther 3:1-6a

Just as there used to be the ‘good’ guys (white hats) versus the ‘bad’ guys’ (black hats) in the westerns we used to watch on Saturday afternoons, the Bible reminds us that life is a lot like those old westerns. As we are introduced to Haman (bad guy), let us also look at the possible reason that this ‘bad guy’ even exists. Haman is an “Agagite” and other than his ancestors having a name that reminds some of us of regurgitation, Bible students go back several hundred years to another time when this name was first introduced. Haman’s descendants were Amalekites and the Amalekites have been enemies of Israel since the Hebrew people left Egypt and confronted them in Exodus 17:8. But Agag, as a name (Heb. fiery), refers to the King Agag that Saul was ordered to destroy in 1 Samuel 15. (READ 1 SAMUEL 15). Saul’s disobedience and Agag’s descendants that were apparently spared because of Saul’s disobedience have rekindled a ‘family feud’ like we know from the Hatfields and McCoys. Mordecai knew of the Amalekites and Haman knew of the Hebrews and this feud is revisited and re-ignited in Persia. Other commentators have also said that the term “Agagite” may have later been given to any obvious, ‘fiery’ enemy of the Jews as an identifier. But Haman is also a type of the devil. He hates the Jews and this hatred categorizes him into those who are anti-Semites. His hatred for God’s people runs to the very core of his being and his joy escapes him like water running through a sieve as long as one Jew draws breath on this planet. Satan hates us the same way. We, as believers, come from the family of God and he hates us one and all because we are His children. He hates every human being because every human being is created in the image of the One that Satan hates the most; God Himself. It is impossible for us to understand the extent of the love of God and just as impossible to understand the extent of the hatred of the devil. But as God’s love exists so does Satan’s hatred and we must be on guard everyday against those who would possess such a diabolical character as does Haman. God has people who do his biding and so does the devil (2 Corinthians 11:13-15 that we will see in a moment). So, without further ado, let’s look at this diabolical personality that we will be dealing with in the next several chapters.

I. ADVANCED BY A PRINCE Vs. 1

(a) Two of a Feather: I believe that we have concluded that Ahasuerus (Xerxes) is not a moral person, so he will fellowship with others of like kind. Ahasuerus took a liking to Haman; this we know. Xerxes advanced Haman as his “Prime Minister”; this we know.

1. But we don’t know….

• …why he liked Haman so much. The classical writers of history for both Jews and Persians make no specific mention about why Haman advanced to such a high position in Xerxes’ government. All we can conclude is that Haman was able to deceive Xerxes just as Satan is the master deceiver amongst us today.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds. (ESV)

• …exactly why the other princes or civil authorities were instructed to pay homage or reverence to Haman (Vs. 2). Later on we will see that he was not an honorable man nor was he a man of great courage, but he was proud and impassionate. He cared for no one but himself and his own ego; just like the devil.

a. Ezekiel 38 and 39 (Daniel 9, 10 and 11 also) describes Satan as being that one (prince) who in the end times will literally possess the Anti-Christ who will rise up against God’s people Israel in a grandiose attempt to destroy them from the face of the earth.

b. But Paul warns us that this ‘prince’ is an active enemy now against the child of God and the church of Jesus Christ. Satan the Prince was active in Xerxes’ day and is active today too.

Ephesians 2:2 …in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— (ESV)

His method of working is to present us with the magnificent set- up, hoping we shall not use either our brains or our spiritual faculties to penetrate the illusion. He is playing for sympathy; therefore he is much better served by exploiting our virtues than by appealing to our lower passions; consequently, it is when the devil looks most noble and reasonable that he is most dangerous. DOROTHY L. SAYERS (1893–1957)

II. ADHERING TO PRINCIPLES Vss. 2-4

(a) The King’s Servant: Even though that Mordecai is as backslidden as a goose while he is here in Persia, he can still be looked at as a type of the child of God. The child of God is the child of God no matter where he or she may be or in what faculty they may be being used in at that time (Luke 15). Let’s look at the characteristics of this Jewish man.

1. He was a servant. The child of God will never find himself or herself in God’s will unless they have determined that they will serve the King; Jesus. This is first base after salvation by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). Vs. 2

1 Corinthians 4:1-2 This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.

2. His position indicates promotion. Mordecai was not just a servant but a servant who sat in the king’s gate. The king’s gate was the place where city officials sat who made judgments concerning the citizens and the affairs of those citizens within the city limits. It was an important place of appointment. Vs. 2

Ephesians 2:5-6 …hath quickened us together with Christ…And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in Heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

3. He would not bow beneath the day after day weight of demonic pressure. Even though that he was commanded to bow to Haman, and he was pressured by those whose character was less than his, Mordecai remembered that his reverence was to be paid to God and God alone. His Jewish roots never left him. Vs. 2

Ephesians 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

a. Again, the Jewish Targum (Aramaic Old Testament scriptures with associated history, sayings, or traditions for learning) has something to say about Haman and the reason that Mordecai refused to bow. The Targum states that Haman had erected a statue of himself and Mordecai saw bowing to Haman in any form as idolatry. Here is an excerpt of a supposed prayer of Mordecai, “Thou knowest that if I have not adored Haman, it was not through pride, nor contempt, nor secret desire of glory; for I felt disposed to kiss the footsteps of his feet (gladly) for the salvation of Israel: but I feared to give to a man that honor which I know belongs only to my God.” (Adam Clarke’s Notes on the Old Testament; Book of Esther)

4. He would not obey the king’s commands over God’s commands. Disobedience to God by King Saul brought Mordecai to this day and only obedience will win the day and change the anti-Semetic attitudes that were alive and well in Susa. Vs. 2

Acts 5:28-29 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

5. He was not ashamed of who he was and who his people were. The reason that Mordecai’s fellow ‘servants’ told Haman of Mordecai’s heritage was to see whether or not he was courageous enough to stand by his people or if he would deny his people and thereby deny his God. God’s people face this challenge daily in this age too. Will your matters or words stand in the face of this challenge? How strong is your Christian character? Vss. 3-4

Luke 9:26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.

1 John 2:23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: but he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.

Character is purified out of our daily confrontation with temptation, out of our regular response to the call of duty. It is formed as we learn to cherish principles and to submit to self-discipline. Character is the sum total of all the little decisions, the small deeds, the daily reactions to the choices that confront us. Character is not obtained instantly. We have to mold and hammer and forge ourselves into character. It is a distant goal to which there is no shortcut. SIDNEY GREENBERG

III. ADVOCATE TO REPRISAL Vss. 5-6a

(a) Satan’s Wrath: Once Haman observed Mordecai’s civil disobedience and learned of Mordecai’s Jewish heritage, he was controlled by his diabolical anger. Vs. 5

1. The term ‘full of anger’ literally means “to be overflowing with poison”. This definitely indicates that Haman’s issue with Mordecai has exceeded just irritation or disapproval. His attitude is now elevated to the point that he wishes death on Mordecai.

a. Satan’s first sentence during his conversation with Eve in Genesis was a question aimed at discrediting God’s Word, “Yea hath God said…?” Satan’s first statement was “You shall not die…” Basically Satan wanted man to die and this would be accomplished by direct disobedience to God’s Word.

b. Satan has neither power to give or take life, but he can use God’s greatest creation, man, as tools to accomplish his diabolical deeds. How does he accomplish this? He does so by poisoning our attitudes and thoughts towards one another to the point that taking a life is a viable and justifiable option.

• Anger caused Cain to kill Abel • Anger caused Esau to promise to kill his twin brother Jacob • Anger caused King Saul to seek to kill David • Anger caused the Messiah to be crucified on the cross • Anger got Stephen stoned to death by his countrymen.

Satan’s most successful maneuver in churches and Christian organizations is to get people angry at one another; to attack and insult our brothers and sisters, thus splitting the body of Christ. JAMES C. DOBSON (1936–)

(b) Satan’s Plot: This ends this week’s message with a warning of what is to come to the unsuspecting Jews; kill them all! This diabolical plot should remind us that there are no boundaries to what Satan will attempt to do to quiet the people of God! Vs. 6a