3 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.
The Agagites were enemies of God's people. These are the same people that were ruled by the king God told Saul to kill, but Saul did not obey God. The king of Agagite was a man who killed pregnant women and all others who he wanted to kill. Samuel the prophet did what Saul would not do. King Ahasuerus was an evil king, and it was not uncommon for him to promote an evil man to work for him. Only evil people allow evil people to rule them.
2 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.
Mordecai did not bow nor give reverence to him. Mordecai knew that what he did would cause others to notice, but that was not why he did not pay homage to an evil leader. God never meant for man to bow to another man. The men who took notice of Mordecai seemed interested in why he did not bow or reverence Haman, but at the same time thought he was wrong in not doing so. I had to stop and think and ask myself, why do we hold humans to that esteem? When we live away from God's Word, we are unaware of how senseless we look in the eyes of those who know the living God.
3 Then the king's servants, which were in the king's gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king's commandment?
Why are you not obeying the king? The people who asked that question worked at the palace for the king. They were sincere men, who had no idea of who they were themselves. They saw Mordecai being different and thought he was also being disrespectful. People who are brainwashed have no clue how to live life. It seems strange to see a man who is not afraid to stand up for what he believes. The sad part is, the people who seem strange to you are the people who act normal to God and normal behavior is what God has always wanted for man. People do not bow down to people. What is normal about that?
4 Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew.
They told Haman that Mordecia was a Jew, and Jews only bowed to God. So the servants told Haman what Mordecai said to see if Haman was okay with his excuse of not bowing down to him. They asked Mordecai daily the same question and he gave them the same response.
5 And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.
Haman himself did not know of Mordecai. The servants pointed Mordecai out to Haman. Haman took notice of Mordecai's behavior and became angry. Haman saw for himself, that what he was told about Mordecai, was true.
6 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 was furious. He was mad because Mordecai did not bow or show reverence to him; Haman wants to kill him. Better yet, he saw all the Jews and decided he will kill all Jews because of his anger toward one man.
7 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.
They selected a day to kill the Jews by casting lots. Grown men called a meeting to decide how they would define a plan to kill all Jews. God sees all of this. It is mind-boggling how people have nothing else to do than plan ways to destroy, then set it on the calendar to carry it out.
8 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.
After making plans to kill, Haman asks for permission to carry out his evil plot. Haman made the king aware of the Jews who behaved differently when asked to bow down to him. They do not bow to me and that is not a good look on you. This is what he was really saying, however, he used the king's emotions to make him feel that "it is a dishonor to you Oh king in what the Jews are doing". This is a common practice or speech of a wicked person. Wicked people will bring others emotions in on their plot when at the same time it is a personal vendetta they want carried out.
9 If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king's treasuries.
Haman told the king, I will pay you if you let me kill those people. King, you give me the right to do as I please and I will put money into your account for letting me have my plan of murder executed.
10 And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy.
The king said ok!
11 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.
Ok, Haman do what you got to do. Kill the people, and you can do as you please with the money. An evil employee who works for an evil king makes an evil plan and they both care nothing about people. The king did not do an investigation to see if what was being brought to him merited what Haman wanted to carry out.
12 Then were the king's scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's ring.
The Supreme court ruled. Killed the Jews under the king's rule! All the officials of this day received a copy of the murder plot. I am amazed at how evil men work together like blind men and do business that causes innocent people to be destroyed. Godly people must be in leadership or we will all be destroyed. When wicked people lead, the people they lead hurt. Lord help us. Although I am reading this again after many years, I often see this behavior daily. Lord, where are the leaders that can bring awareness to what we are doing or what is being done to us?
13 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.
Months later the decision to kill is put on the calendar. Kill all Jews young, old, men and women, alike. Has anything changed in our day? We must keep our eyes on the Word of God. There is nothing new under the sun. Bad leadership hurts people.
14 The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, that they should be ready against that day.
Give all the people and Jews included a copy of this letter so they will be prepared to die on the 13th of the 12th month. The Jews were God's example of how good he wants to be to all people. When we saw how God protected the Jews, we can be assured that if we trust the same God, we would have the same protection. The more I see what and how the Jewish nation has suffered, the more I understand why God will protect them before it is all over.
15 The posts went out, being hastened by the king's commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed.
The king is ultimately is the person responsible for the chaos. Haman uses the king to carry out his vicious actions. What kind of heart acts like this? Do you have a heart at all? Lord, help us to realize you have opened the doors to your Word and you have allowed us to be educated in your Word. Lord help us to take advantage of what you said, in Jesus' name, Amen!!!
My Minute Song
Esther 3
We’ve got to be aware
What the Word of God says
Make no more excuses
Then hide our heads
The rulers won’t rule right
And nothing is said
They make laws unlike God
Too many people lie dead
What in our world is going on?
It is time to wake up
And see all our wrong
Stop hating one another
This has gone on too long
Our world can still change
It doesn’t have to stay this way
We’ve got to seek God’s Word
There’s no more time to delay.
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