Trouble Is Brewing Series

Trouble is Brewing

Esther 3: 1-7

It is likely that Mordecai and the Jews within Persia were feeling confident about their current situation. Although they remained a captive people within the land, one of their own had been crowned queen over the kingdom. This surely increased their outlook for the future and created a sense of hopeful anticipation within their hearts.

The situation may have looked promising on the surface; but little did they know, a storm was brewing and it would soon impact their lives. Some changes were made within the palace, leading to a chain of events that would strike fear in the heart of every Jew.

This is but one scene in the providential story of Esther. They faced many challenges and persecutions, and yet God preserved them for His glory. While our story is much different, the character of God never changes. Regardless of what we face, and no matter how frightening it may be, the saved by grace are secure in the hand of our Lord. Let’s consider the incidents that led up to this frightening time for the Jews as we think on: Trouble is Brewing.

I. The Promotion of Haman (1-3) – Here we are introduced to a man who plays a major role in the events recorded in Esther. He is promoted to a place of prominence in the kingdom. Notice:

A. The Details (1) – 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. Haman’s father, Hammedatha, is referred to as an Agagite. Most agree he was a descendant of Agag, king of the Amalekites. The Amalekites descended from Esau, brother of Jacob, and held great animosity toward the Jews in regard to the birthright of their father, Esau. They mercilessly attacked the Israelites as they made their way out of Egypt, killing the helpless, aged, young, and frail. It is apparent that this animosity and prejudice had been passed down through the generations. As we will discover, Haman possessed a deep hatred for the Jews.

Prejudice and anti-Semitism remains prevalent in modern society. This is another tool of the enemy to create division and hatred among men. Christ came to provide salvation for whosoever, including all races and all people. We cannot honor the Lord while harboring prejudice and animosity toward a particular group of people.

B. The Dominance (1) – 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. It appears that Haman was elevated to a position, second only to the king. He was the highest ranking among the princes within the empire. His authority would only be usurped by the king.

We face an adversary who possesses great power and influence, but his abilities are limited. He may be the god of this world, but he is not the living God. While he has much power and resources to afflict the believer, we need not fear him. Our King is sovereign over all.

C. The Declaration (2a) – 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. Following his promotion, Ahasuerus commanded that all within the king’s gate bow in reverence to Haman. If there was any doubt concerning the king’s approval of Haman, this should have settled the doubt. Submission to Haman would also reveal submission to the king.

This likely served to inflate the already oversized egos of Ahasuerus and Haman. They viewed themselves as invincible and accountable to no man. Satan likes to dominate the lives of men. He loves to force their submission to his sinful ways.

D. The Defiance (2b-3) – But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence. [3] Then the king's servants, which were in the king's gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king's commandment? It appears that obedience reigned supreme concerning the king’s commandment with the exception of Mordecai. He refused to bow before Haman or offer him reverence. Even when questioned publicly by other Persians within the king’s gate, Mordecai continued to refuse.

What prompted the defiance of Mordecai? We know nothing of anything personal between Haman and Mordecai to this point. Jews often bowed in the presence of others as a show of respect. However, in the cultures of Babylon and Persia, bowing related to worship of the one bowed before. The people were expected to worship their king as a god. Mordecai may not have been very vocal about his lineage up to this point, but this is where he drew the line. He would not bow in worship of anyone or anything other than Jehovah.