Esther 3:1–9

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Dean of Christian Ministries, University of Mobile

Deliverance Is Needed

Esther 3:1–9

During the reign of Ahasuerus (a.k.a. Xerxes), descendants of the exiled nation of Judah still lived in Babylon with some living farther east in Persia. In order to blend in to the majority cultures, they took on Babylonian names like Ishtar and Marduk (see also Dan. 1). Esther’s given Hebrew name was Hadassah.

Mordecai was a descendant of Kish and Kish was the father of King Saul (1 Sam. 8). Saul publicly humiliated the Amalekite king, Agag, before the prophet Samuel executed this enemy of Israel (1 Sam. 15). This cultural and historical context is significant for understanding this narrative.

Fear often accompanies encounters with strangers especially those from another ethnic, religious or language background. The Jews spoke a different language, held to a different law (Torah) and practiced a different diet than the Persians.

Haman, a descendant of Agag, played upon the suspicions of the king and his court by pointing out that the Jews were a threat to their national security. Like the months and years following Pearl Harbor when Japanese Americans were treated as a threat, the Jews were worthy of extermination, according to Haman.

Mordecai Honors God Only (1–5)

Haman is promoted to a place of honor, higher than anyone else in Ahasuerus’ court. All the royal staff bowed down to give him honor, everyone except Mordecai. The assumption in the narrative is that Mordecai determined not to bow down to anyone but God or an Israelite king (Ex. 20:4; Deut. 17:15). No name for God is used in this narrative though dependence upon God is understood in the subtext. When Haman discovered Mordecai’s background he conspired to get rid of the entire population of Jews in Medo-Persia.

Twenty-first century followers of Jesus should not be surprised when they face similar life and death scenarios. Christians face persecution around the world from Muslims in Nigeria and the Sudan, Hindus in India, secularists in North America, animistic tribalists in Africa and communists in North Korea. When we determine to honor God alone others are offended.

Genocide Planned (6–9)

“Your majesty, this people group is a threat to national security. They speak a different language, they follow different laws and they keep to themselves. They cannot be trusted.” Haman has it all planned out. First cast lots (Hebrew purim) to determine when the attack was to take place. Second convince the Medo-Persian king the people are bad for the nation. Third finance the genocide through royal revenue.

Haman is well aware of the law of the Medes and the Persians. No one is above, not even the king (Dan. 6:12). As such when royalty pronounces an edict it cannot be revoked. Once the decree is made that the Jews will be eliminated no amount of backroom lawyering could change the outcome. The Jews were going to die.

Today Christians face threats around the world. ISIS continues to hunt down Nasrani — Christians from Iraq and elsewhere who are fleeing for their lives. Though American Christians are not facing such persecution the time may come when we will.

How do we and our brothers in Christ prepare for persecution whether spiritual, social, legal or physical? The answer is found in Revelation 12:11. These selfless, persecuted believers overcame by the blood of the Lamb, by the word of their testimonies and because they did not love their lives, even unto death.