Haman’s Sinister Scheme
Esther 3: 8-15
While Esther, Mordecai, and the Jews within Persia may have rejoiced in Esther being crowned as queen, they would soon find themselves dealing with an executive order from Ahasuerus that would strike fear in their hearts. The hatred Haman had for Mordecai had driven him to desperate measures. Although he had no idea that God was sovereignly preserving the Jews, he sought to rid the empire of them.
You and I can look at this passage with a measure of confidence. We have read the story, and we know how it will end. However, the average Jew in Persia at that time was living this story in real time. No doubt they were filled with unimaginable horror at what they perceived as their eventual death at the hands of evil men. We too know that God is sovereign in our lives. We know that we are secure in the hand of Christ, and yet we allow the struggles of life to create terror and worry in our lives. Regardless of what we face in life, we must continue to rest in the Lord, knowing He is more than able to sustain us throughout life.
I want to examine the elements of this evil plan as we discuss: Haman’s Sinister Scheme.
I. A Heinous Plot (8-11) – Here we discover the heinous plot that Haman sought to fulfill. Consider:
A. The Agenda (8) – We must bear in mind that this all came about due to Haman’s hatred of Mordecai and his prejudice toward the Jews. He was a descendant of Amalek, possessing a hatred for the people of Israel. Mordecai had refused to submit to Haman’s authority. Once Haman discovered Mordecai was a Jew, he reasoned the Jews needed to be eradicated. Haman approached the king and portrayed the Jews as a people who refused to obey the laws of the land, promoting rebellion among the Persians. He urged the king to respond to this threat. Haman felt as if the king could no longer tolerate the Jews within the land.
Satan has sought to hinder and destroy the people of God since the first of creation. Throughout the Bible we see his hand being raised against those who sought to serve the Lord. He even tried to kill Jesus as a baby, seeking to hinder Him from fulfilling God’s plan of redemption. He continues to work against the church today, seeking to hinder and destroy all he can. We must be wise to the evil schemes of the enemy.
B. The Appeal (9) – Haman sought favor before Ahasuerus. He presented his evil plan and desired the approval of the king. He was careful not to be perceived as one who sought to usurp the authority of the king. His hatred for the Jews was so intense, he was willing to pay 10,000 talents of silver, from his own money, in order to eliminate them.
Those who seek to prevent the plans and purposes of God seldom act alone. Haman knew he needed the support of the king if his evil plan was to be successful. Satan seeks to unite humanity against the church, striving to hinder the divine purposes of God. He continues to portray the church and those who follow Christ as the problem within society. He wants the world to believe they would be in a better position if the church ceased to exist.
Many spend their lives and much of their possessions in an effort to silence and defeat the church. Little do they know that their efforts are futile. They are unaware of the severing hand of God that preserves the church. We may endure persecution and physical affliction, but the church will never face destruction! We belong to the Lord and He is coming again for His church!
C. The Approval (10) – Ahasuerus offered his ring to Haman in order to seal the decree with his approval. This gave Haman the support he needed to fulfill his sinister plan. Although his accusations were without merit, he had gained the approval of the king.
Having read the book of Esther, we know Ahasuerus had no idea the implications this would have for his new queen. Without any investigation or consideration, he readily approved of Haman’s scheme. Prov.18:13 – "He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him." Our world continues to be influenced by those who promote Satan’s agenda. They have no basis or facts for their hatred of the church, but they readily oppose the Lord’s agenda because others around them encourage such behavior. Sadly, ignorance will be no excuse when men stand before the Lord in judgment. Apart from a relationship with Christ in salvation, they will stand condemned before the holy and righteous Judge.
D. The Authority (11) – Upon giving his approval, Ahasuerus gave Haman to authority to do what he pleased regarding the Jews. Haman had been successful in his campaign to persuade the king and now he had the authority to exterminate the Jews at will.
I was struck by the irony revealed here. Ahasuerus and Haman felt as if they had devised a plan that could not fail to promote their agenda. The money was available and he enjoyed the backing of the king, but they failed to figure one major factor into the equation: the sovereign will of God. All of the planning and resources Persia possessed would never thwart the divine plan of God for His people.
It may appear in our day that we are outnumbered within society. Most governments and those is places of authority have forsaken the Lord and are no longer sympathetic to the church. Billions of dollars are spent each year to promote the liberal agenda, seeking to move the world further away from the plan of God. However dark it may appear, or however outnumbered we may be physically, we are more than conquerors through Christ our Lord. Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world. If God be for us, who can be against us! His sovereign plan has always been fulfilled and it will continue to be fulfilled.
II. A Horrific Plan (12-15) – After convincing the king, and receiving his approval, Haman sets his heinous plot in motion. Consider:
A. The Scope (12) – The decree was written and sealed with the king’s signet ring. It was given to those in authority over every province. The attack on the Jews in Persia would not be limited to a specific area in and around the palace, but would include the entire kingdom. This decree would affect every Jew that lived within the kingdom of Persia.
Sin and depravity are never isolated or confined to a specific region or people. It affects us all. The enemy seeks to defeat and destroy the church wherever she exists. While some areas face more intense persecution and difficulty than others, the enemy strives to work against every believer and every local congregation of believers. The plan of Satan to hinder the church is a global plan that affects the church wherever she exists.
B. The Severity (13) – The plan of Haman was thorough and extensive. He did not seek to remove only those Jews considered a threat to his agenda. He sought the complete extermination of the Jewish people throughout the kingdom. Every living Jew, regardless of age or gender was to be killed and their possessions were to be taken as spoils of war. The hatred of the Jewish people by Haman was so intense that he had mercy on none of them.
Sadly such hatred and animosity toward the Jews was not limited to Haman. Many times throughout their history they have been targeted, most recently by the genocide of the Germans in World War II. Israel remains a target of radical Islamist even today. Throughout the centuries many have tried to destroy the Jewish race, but they are preserved by God.
While we cannot relate to such brutality and hatred in America, the church is being persecuted today at an alarming rate. Innocent people are being killed simply because they profess faith in Christ. Like Haman, Satan seeks to destroy the entire church. He has sympathy for none who are in Christ. This will only intensify as we draw closer to the end times and the appearance of the anti-Christ.
C. The Subjection (14) – This brutal and merciless plan was not open for debate. Every province was ordered to begin making preparations to exterminate the Jews when the appointed time arrived. The king had signed the decree and the officers were expected to carry out his wishes.
This ought to serve as a challenge for the church. The enemy is always prepared. He never rests, seeking to deceive, hinder, and destroy all he can. We must be wise to his deceits and live our lives in the power of the Holy Spirit. We cannot ignore the struggles many are facing in other parts of the world. Such adversity may soon come to us, and when it does, we must be prepared. Eph.6:13 – Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
D. The Suspicion (15) – The king and Haman celebrated the decree that had just been implemented, but all did not appear happy. The city of Shushan, where the palace was located, was perplexed. Many of the people were distressed. Likely some of the Persians wondered why such a merciless slaughter was being planned. Other minorities likely feared they may be next on the list for removal. Even in such a barbaric culture, such a decree created much concern among the general population.
Such behavior and utter lack of mercy is the result of sin. Our world continues to see the indiscriminate murder of innocent people at the hands of wicked men. In our day of 24 hour news coverage, I fear we have become somewhat insensitive to the horrors inflicted on many. We need to share the perplexity that those in Shushan expressed. We must continue to be a voice for truth and right. Being freed from the bondage of sin is man’s only hope. Coming to salvation is the only way to be freed from such bondage. Our world will see no substantial change apart from an awakening of the church that stirs us from our complacency. The world needs to hear the Gospel of Christ. We have the truth that sets men free, but we must be willing to share. I pray that God will create a burden in our hearts for the pressing needs of our day.
Conclusion: I can’t imagine waking one day to such news as the Jews in Persia did when this decree was signed. They would have to look to the Lord and depend upon Him. He was their only hope. He would prove Himself mighty and continue to preserve them. We too must continue to depend upon the Lord for the many needs in our day. He alone can provide victory in the midst of turmoil. If you are struggling, look to Jesus. If you are unsaved, respond to His call for salvation. May we as believers continue to share the Good News with those who have yet to hear!
