Esther Series – part 10 

Pastor Eric A. Green

After these things King Ahasueras promoted Haman, son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him and set his seat above all princes who were with him.  And all the king’s servant who were within the king’s gate bowed and paid homage to Haman, for so the king had commanded concerning him.  But Mordecai would not bow or pay homage.  The king’s servants who were within the gate said to Mordecai, “Why do you transgress the king’s command?”

Now it happened, when they spoke to him daily and he would not listen to them, that they told it to Haman, to see whether Mordecai’s words would stand; for Mordecai had told them that he was a Jew.  When Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow or pay him homage, Haman was filled with wrath.  But he disdained to lay hands on Mordecai alone, for they had told him of the people of Mordecai.  Instead Haman sought to destroy all the Jews who were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasueras – the people of Mordecai.   Esther 3:1-6

God is setting the scene in a great play of redemption for His people, and the main actors are Mordecai, Esther, Haman, and King Ahasueras.  The Jews are in captivity, dispersed throughout the kingdom of their conqueror – and because they are God’s people, distinct from all others, their worship draws the disdainful eye of the “gods” of the land.  Satan, the invisible antagonist, sees an excellent opportunity to deal a crushing, genocidal blow to the plan and people of God by destroying the lineage of the promised Messiah. 

A conflict of cosmic proportions is brewing in the Book of Esther, and the same is true in our day.  Satan (Haman) still hates God’s people, both the Jews and the Church.  Witness the historical record of attempts to exterminate the Jews, and the present efforts to persecute the Church and remove even the mention of God from public discourse.   Today, it is considered an offense to display scripture references in government offices or to say, “Merry Christmas.” There is even a present litigious attempt to remove the phrase “under God” from the pledge of allegiance.  Can you sense the spirit of Haman lurking and plotting against God-fearing people who refuse to bow down at the shrine of worldliness?

Friends, our firm determination to be a distinct, peculiar people who are set apart for the worship of the Lord Jesus makes us a target for the powers, principalities, and spiritual wickedness that hold sway over this world.  But the Lord Who protects us knows all, and He has assured the desired end to all our trials.  There may be a Haman in your life that seems to have all the power.  He (or she) may well be plotting your demise, but the Word of God says:
The wicked plots against the just, and gnashes at him with his teeth.  The Lord laughs at him, for He sees that his day is coming.  The wicked have drawn the sword and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and the needy, to slay those who are of upright conduct.  Their sword shall enter their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.   Psalm 37:12-15

I pray you remember the Lord is your strong tower, your shield, and your God.  If He is for you, who of any consequence can be against you?  May the Lord make you able to stand against the wiles of Satan, and He will make you wiser and shrewder than those the serpent has sent to harm you.  Remember that no matter how difficult the present may seem, and we know who wins in the end! 

Love and perfect peace,

Pastor Eric