A Violent Interruption (Haman is introduced)

This week in our study in the book of Esther we've come to chapter 3. This chapter is where the villain of the book of introduced. You might have thought by now that Xerxes would be the villain. While he has a part to play in the cause of evil, he is ultimately not the one portrayed in the book as the nemesis of God's people. That role is filled by a man named Haman. 

Haman  and Mordecai by Paul Alexander Leroy – Haman and Mordecai 1884

"When Justice is ignored and Pride is exalted"

Haman is introduced in the flow of the story immediately after Mordecai has rendered faithful service to Xerxes by reporting the assassination plot (2:19-23). The introduction of Haman stands in contrast to other previous characters in that every other character has been introduced in pairs. 

• Xerxes and his paired partner queen Vashti (Esther 1),
• Mordecai and his adopted daughter Esther (Esther 2)

This pairing sort of flow is consistent even with more minor characters like Hegai (the King's eunuch in charge of the virgins in 2:3) and Shaashgaz (the King's eunuch in charge of the concubines in 2:14). We see characters introduced in pairs with their role and relationship explained. When Haman is  introduced he is a new character with no new character juxtaposed. Instead, we have a juxtaposition in the flow similar to the break between Esther 1 and 2 between Xerxes and Mordecai. Xerxes was introduced with his accolades told in great detail while Mordecai was lowly compared to the king of Persia. The emphasis between Mordecai and Xerxes seemed to dwell mostly on their earthly positions. With Haman's introduction there is an interruption in the story that is somewhat violent.

In many American movies the cliché "love at first sight" is the crux of the story. Two characters eyes meeting from across a crowded room can lead to all sorts of adventures. Within only a few verses of Esther chapter 3 we have a similar situation, but instead of love at first sight, it's mortal hatred! Haman is quickly filled with a passionate desire to rid the world of Mordecai and everyone of the lineage shared by Mordecai. 

We might expect that after the king is saved by Mordecai in 2:19-23, he would reward Mordecai and raise him to an honorable position. Yet it is Haman who were told in 3:1 is brought into a position of honor:

3:1 After these events, King Xerxes honored Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, elevating him and giving him a seat of honor higher than that of all the other nobles

This might be the most relatable portion in all of scripture! We see our hero and heroine left without recognition while a villain is praised. In our own lives we may witness this in our work, in our family, in our churches, on the world stage. It seems so often that the worldly are rewarded and God's people are downtrodden. When it comes to the character of Haman, he is as bad as it can get. Chapter 3 reveals Haman's heart as one filled with pride, and jealousy, hands that are quick to shed the blood of others and a mind that seeks to twist every situation to his own purposes. Read the following from Proverbs 6:16-19 and compare it to Haman's character:

16 There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, 19 a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community. 

Haman checks off every box!!! Haman was willing to shed innocent blood (3:6), he schemed a plot according to his wicked desires (3:8), he speedily sought to unleash his rage (3:5) and he was all about stirring up conflict with a campaign of genocide (3:9). Reading about Haman has left me flipping through the Psalms. 

Vindicate me, my God, and plead my cause against an unfaithful nation. Rescue me from those who are deceitful and wicked. 2 You are God my stronghold. Why have you rejected me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy? (Psalm 43:1-2)

The theme of vindication and setting accounts right is present throughout the Psalms, and also in the prophets. In Jeremiah there is vivid language used beseeching God:

19 Listen to me, Lord; hear what my accusers are saying! 20 Should good be repaid with evil? Yet they have dug a pit for me. Remember that I stood before you and spoke in their behalf to turn your wrath away from them. 21 So give their children over to famine; hand them over to the power of the sword. Let their wives be made childless and widows; let their men be put to death, their young men slain by the sword in battle. 22 Let a cry be heard from their houses when you suddenly bring invaders against them, for they have dug a pit to capture me and have hidden snares for my feet. 23 But you, Lord, know all their plots to kill me. Do not forgive their crimes or blot out their sins from your sight. Let them be overthrown before you; deal with them in the time of your anger. (Jeremiah 18:19-23)

There are some really stern words said in that prayer from Jeremiah. Yet, when we consider the enemies that God's people contend with, the words don't seem so stern. We actually can take comfort as the hymn writer says "though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet". God does not look favorably on those who seek to harm his beloved. In this regard the scriptures often refer to God as a "jealous", possessive, protector who rules his people with an unrivaled strength.  

Haman certainly seems strong, powerful, and persuasive in Esther chapter 3. He hatches his evil plan, sets it into motion, pledged finances into the treasury to bribe Xerxes and then hosts a private drinking party with the king to celebrate. What Haman didn't know was that for all his scheming, for all his hatred, for all his rage, he was not in charge. 

I can't help but end this introduction of Haman by quoting Psalm 2: 

1 Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? 2 The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed, saying, 3 “Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.” 4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. 5 He rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, 6 “I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain.” (Psalm 2:1-6)

Haman's efforts would prove to be in vain. He sought to destroy God's people, and ended up destroyed himself. The Lord is in charge. He reigns in his high position, overlooking all the activities of the universe. While Haman tried so hard to take every detail into account, his eye for detail couldn't compare with the great God of ancient Israel. God saw Haman's designs again his anointed people and laughed. The Lord scoffed at the purposes of Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite. God has installed his ruler over the world and unleashes his anger upon his enemies. 

Have you ever wondered why that little detail about Haman is included? What's the deal with being an Agagite? More on that later this week...