Introduction
Last weekend, we went to a Pastor and wives retreat. During the weekend, the speaker and his wife shared some terrific wisdom about cultivating a godly marriage. With some of the discussion, I was a little overwhelmed. When we discussed with our tables, another couple with young kids said, “I don’t know about you, but I feel very inadequate after hearing that. Most days I am lucky if my kids are not fighting non-stop. The house is typically a mess, and if I see liquid on the floor, I don’t even know what it is. We’re living on the sniff test over here and barely holding on.” Honestly, that made me feel better! Different stages of life often mean different things and one is definitely more like a house in chaos than ongoing tranquility. For Esther, in chapter 3, we also see a kingdom in chaos. But it’s not wondering what liquid on the floor is, but it’s the result of a clear decree—a decree to kill God’s people. Let’s look at this now, including the events leading up to it in Esther 3.
God is sovereign even when life’s unfair
There is the old reply that parents give: “Well, life’s not fair.” To their kids who complain about life not being fair. And it’s an oldy but a goodie. Life isn’t fair. Things don’t always go as they should. The other side of proverbs is a book like Job. Job did things right, which was precisely why things went wrong. Difficulty in life is always because of sin in this world, but every difficulty that we face is not a direct result of our sin. Sometimes, we are caught up in the chaos of living in a sinful world. Sometimes, it’s a direct result of another’s sin. Sometimes, it might not be due to sin but to our limited nature or that of others. We don’t have all the answers; others don’t see everything that is happening. We don’t have perfect memories.
… when you’re overlooked and the prideful prosper
This multi-faceted set of factors sets into motion the swirling set of circumstances that we find ourselves in the midst of. That’s where this section picks up. You notice that the language quickly transitions to the promotion of Haman. But what does this come after? It comes after Mordecai seeks to do good to all as he has an opportunity. It comes after he chooses to protect life. So we have one who is proven loyal and good, and the next account is another who is promoted. Now, it certainly doesn’t need to follow that Mordecai is promoted, but it is curious that there is an absence of anything positive happening for him, and instead, we hear about something positive happening for the one who would prove to be his enemy. Why do things like this happen? It might remind us of the account of Joseph, who is forgotten and left in prison in Genesis 40.
It’s when we are zoomed in on these details that we should remember the big picture of the book of Esther. God is at work. This ends well. Mordecai is even remembered and rewarded, as we will see later. But when we are pressed in and overwhelmed by the immediate, it’s easy to lose sight of the ultimate. But we can glorify God just as much in difficult circumstances as we can in comfortable circumstances, perhaps more. Remember the story of Job, for example, maybe he loved God because his life was good. But when things got hard, his faith was tested.
We don’t like to rejoice and celebrate the difficulties in life, but Paul was able to say that he was thankful for them. He understands that’s what produces character.
The king makes another foolish decision. This time, it is promoting Haman. Initially, we might not think much about this, but we soon find out the kind of character that Haman has. He is ruled by pride. Again, we see a distinction between this earthly kingdom and the kingdom of God. Often those who are humbling serving in the shadows are neglected while those who promote themselves get promoted by others. Now, this doesn’t mean advertising your skills is always wrong. This is necessary for work in this world. But that is categorically different than being ruled by pride.
The unrighteous gaining power and using it in unjust ways is a regular theme in Scripture. We should not be surprised when we find ourselves in a situation where those who deserve promotion don’t receive it and those who definitely shouldn’t have power gain it. This is often the case. The vainglorious cannot let their good deeds go unnoticed. They must receive accolades for what they do. Working in the shadows is not an option. This is in sharp contrast with those who are humble servants of King Jesus. Jesus warns against doing things just to be noticed because then we will have our reward.
… when you face the consequences of unjust actions
Not only might we find the circumstances of this situation to be unfair – Haman was promoted and Mordecai seemingly forgotten. But we also quickly see how this prideful individual who now has a position of influence uses it unjustly. His pride is a common theme throughout the book. In fact, one commentator claims that Haman’s pride was a reason that he didn’t initially notice Mordecai not paying homage to him. He was having too much fun being recognized by others and letting that go to his head. We might even wonder if the command to pay him honor was brought about by a whisper of Haman to the King. After all, paying respect to the King’s officials was already common practice, why the mention of the King’s command concerning Haman? In any case, once Haman does find out he’s not too happy. The ego that loves to be scratched can’t stand to be spurned.
But a mere bruise of one’s pride does not justify what comes next. We might think, isn’t it disrespect, and it is owed something? There should be some punishment. But that is not the driving force behind the action. Still – even in the case of disrespect – is there justification for Mordecai’s action? We might think, well, he can’t bow down because he is only to worship God and God alone. Remember the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the book of Daniel. They would not bow down before a statue and were honored for it. But, as Ryan mentioned last week, we have to be careful of an exemplary reading. Unlike in the story of Daniel, here, there is no explicit mention of worship. There is no direct violation of Biblical command. In fact we have Biblical examples of David bowing down before Saul and Joseph’s brothers before him.
Since Haman’s lineage is mentioned, perhaps that plays a role.
Ancient interpreters universally understood the text to mean that Haman was a member of the race of Agag, or the Amalekites. The Amalekites were a nomadic people descended from Esau (Gen. 36:12, 16). They typically ranged through the Negev and Sinai Peninsula, where they clashed with Israel during the Exodus (Ex. 17:8–13; Deut. 25:17–18). But during the reign of King Saul, the conflict became fateful. God ordered Saul to utterly destroy the Amalekites and to take no booty from them. But Saul saved some of the loot and took the Amalekite king, Agag, as a captive. The prophet Samuel killed Agag, but not before informing Saul that his disobedience would cost him his throne (1 Sam. 15). Since Mordecai is associated with the house of Saul, the clash between Mordecai and Haman is set up as a “rematch” of the Saul-Agag affair.[1]
Perhaps this plays into the actions of both men. But again, we are not told whether this is a virtuous refusal or not. Even if it were, it may have been brought about because of staying in Susa. What is clear is that there is an unjust overreaction to the refusal.
Past Faithfulness helps us in our present difficulties
One way that God’s sovereignty is seen in this passage is in the selection of the date. God, as we know, is sovereign over all things, even what may seem to be chance. Proverbs 16:33 says, “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.” Casting Pur – a Persian Word for Lot – was to determine a date would be typical in Persian culture. Walton writes, “The casting of lots was a common method for determining the will of the gods or deciding any matter of great importance.[2]”
But the date that they picked to cast the side is important as well. It is the day before the slaying of the Passover lamb (Ex. 12:6). That means that those closest to the decree and threat of harm would hear about it around this celebration. They are remembering God’s faithfulness for past deliverance. It may also have been a part of the official documents that were sent out, almost like “On December 24, this was decreed.” For many, this date would immediately signal Christmas.
God rescued in the past, and he can rescue again
The people of God, over and over, were called to remember. To recall to their minds that God is a God who rescues his people. He delivers them from difficulty. And here, as they hear the bad news of the present, many are aware of the good news of the past. The same God who delivered them before was at work right then behind the scenes, whether they were aware or not.
Remembering was important for the people of God under the Old Covenant, and it’s important for us as Christians under the New Covenant. We are called to remember the Lord’s death until he comes through the practice of communion. Here at Blue Course, we went to more frequent communion. Now, twice a month instead of once a month. Some of that was because it is important for nursery and children’s workers to be present with the body of Christ as we partake together. But another reason is that this is a unique reminder that God has given his church. The truth is that we need frequent reminders. This week, this weekend, perhaps this morning, maybe you are struggling to believe that God is good, that he is faithful. Perhaps it’s hard for you to see past the pain of your present situation. But at the Lord’s table, we remember that it is finished. God has provided the rescue for the worst condition we could find ourselves in – separation from him for eternity because of our sin. Jesus has paid the price, and all who repent and believe in him will be forgiven. If that is true, if we have hope for eternity, then we can trust that same God for the here and now. That doesn’t mean everything will suddenly change but it does mean that the one who is sovereign over all is right here with us and is working all things for our ultimate good.
We belong to a greater King
This leads to another insight that we can see from the text: the presumption of the King. He says the money is yours and the people too. It’s interesting with the money. Does this mean that the King doesn’t want the money? Joyce Baldwin comments, “The king may appear to be refusing the money, but it is more likely that he is still expecting Haman to pay it to him, so carrying out the plan as it seemed good to him.”[3] Almost a “it’s your money, spend it how you want.” Type of comment.[4] This would align with Esther’s comment in 7:4 that her people had been sold.
But of more pressing interest is the arrogant assumption of the King that these are his people he can now give to another. The people of God do not ultimately belong to a human king but to their heavenly king. This is true for Israel in this circumstance and it’s true for the church today. We belong to a spiritual kingdom not of this world. That’s why Paul can say that our citizenship is in heaven. It is true that we still have earthly allegiances but, for Christians, our ultimate allegiance is to the one who calls us His own.
No earthly king or ruler can own us because we have been bought by the blood of Christ. Even those who use fear or threats of physical violence, we can say, hold close to the truth that no one can snatch us from our Father’s hand. John 10:27-29 says this
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 in charging God’s people to live faithfully for him with their bodies, says this,
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.[5]”
Isn’t this remarkable. Here we have a human king who want’s to profit from his people. But we have a heavenly King who humbled himself for his people.
Today, there are many who want to have a claim on us, whether it is through economic means, political means, or some other avenue. But we ultimately belong to God. This ultimate allegiance shapes how we live and frees us from temporal allegiances on earth.
God is not flippant with his signet ring
We can trust God to act consistently with how he has in the past because he is on the throne and doesn’t hand over his ring in a flippant and hazardous way. Do you see that with Ahasuerus? He gives the ring to Haman, which essentially locks in the fate of the Jewish people. But he is unaware of this. His power is given to one who is able to harm his bride without him even realizing it. He doesn’t question Haman’s flawed reasoning. He doesn’t question whether everyone is disobedient or not. But instead, without looking into the matter, he turns the power of the King to Haman. God is not like this. The bride of Christ is protected and cared for. He is working all things for their good.
The question we have is how are we stewarding the signet ring that has been given to us. While we are not sovereign as God is sovereign, each of us is given degrees of creaturely authority in this life. Are we stewarding this well for the good of others, or are we flippant in our use? Maybe it’s in the workplace or at home. Maybe it’s people who look up to us. Or, perhaps, given the circumstances of our political calendar, it’s the stewardship of how you exercise power as a citizen. Is it carelessly handed over to the analysis of a vocal political pundit or carefully stewarded as you seek to live faithfully for your heavenly King?
Death Awaits Those Who Reject the King’s Appointed
Rejecting Haman had unjust consequences
We mentioned the unjust reaction from Haman. The typical code eye for an eye was well surpassed here. That would have meant something happening to Mordecai himself, perhaps to make an example out of him. But this was much more. By wounding Haman’s pride, an entire people were put in jeopardy.
The Persian Empire covered most of the known world at the time, and while killing everyone, even within the empire, was a threat, he likely couldn’t follow through with complete
Rejecting Jesus has just consequences
We might be tempted to think a grim result is only the result of the sinful actions of others. That anything bad happening to us is because of bad actors. But we need to understand the reality of God’s perfect holiness. If we are not careful, we can demand justice and fairness in our lives. God’s justice demands that we pay the price for our sins. Be careful of telling God “I wanted to be treated fairly.” In Scripture, we read that the wages of sin is death. Do we really want what we have earned? To we really desire for God’s justice to be done to us? It reminds me of the saying from one theologian: “Why do bad things happen to good people? That has only happened once, and he volunteered.” That is the beauty of the gospel of grace. The gospel makes it possible that God is both just and justifier. Jesus is the only one who lived a truly perfect life. He is the only one who did not earn death but merited life through his perfect obedience. But he died in our place. He came to do what we couldn’t and take the punishment that we deserved so that we might have eternal life. Jesus said in John’s gospel that he didn’t come to condemn the world because the world is already condemned, but he came to save the world. That is us. Have you trusted in the one who is worthy of not just of respect but of worship?
[1] John H Walton, Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary (Old Testament): 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, vol. 3 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2009), 486–487.
[2] John H Walton, Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary (Old Testament): 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, vol. 3 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2009), 488.
[3] Joyce G. Baldwin, Esther: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 12, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1984), 74.
[4] David G. Firth, The Message of Esther: God Present but Unseen, ed. Alec Motyer and Derek Tidball, The Bible Speaks Today (England: Inter-Varsity Press, 2010), 66.
[5] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Co 6:19–20.
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