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Friday,
March
19,
2021
We drove past
this quintessential Lancaster County farm today. In a few
weeks we hope to see this barren tree sprout some new leaves
since spring officially begins tomorrow!
(click
to enlarge)
"Haman
the Agagite"
Message
summary: Haman's life is an example of the fate
that faces those who oppose God and His people.
Listen
to this message on your audio player.
"When Haman saw that Mordecai neither bowed down nor paid homage to him, Haman was filled with rage" (Esther 3:5). "Haman went out that day joyful and pleased of heart; but when Haman saw Mordecai at the king’s gate and that he did not stand up or tremble before him, Haman was filled with anger against Mordecai" (Esther 5:9).
The two main characters in the book of Esther are Esther and Mordecai, whom we've studied the last two messages. But a third prominent character is the chief antagonist, Haman the Agagite. In the Sight and Sound dramatic presentation we saw on Wednesday afternoon he is introduced with this narrative, "the serpent has entered the garden"; clearly, an allusion to the serpent in the original Garden of Eden. We must ever be on our guard against the many "serpents" that will enter into the garden of our own life, bringing deception, disillusionment and disaster.
Haman the Agagite is likely a
descendant of the Amalekite King Agag from 500
years earlier, yet as history attests, hatred can
last for many generations. He is the notorious
architect of the intended destruction of the Jews
during their exilic stay in Persia (Esther 3:1).
But God used Queen Esther and Mordecai, her close
relative who loved her like a father, as the
agents of His salvation. Haman himself was
executed on the very gallows he had erected for
Mordecai.
The deliverance prompted the Jewish Feast of Purim which devout Jews still celebrate in remembrance of their victory from annihilation by Haman. At the Purim celebrations, Jews publicly read the book of Esther and every time the name Haman is about to be pronounced, people drown out the voice of the reader with shouts and noise-making toys!
"When Haman saw that Mordecai neither bowed down nor paid homage to him, Haman was filled with rage" (Esther 3:5). "Haman went out that day joyful and pleased of heart; but when Haman saw Mordecai at the king’s gate and that he did not stand up or tremble before him, Haman was filled with anger against Mordecai" (Esther 5:9).
The two main characters in the book of Esther are Esther and Mordecai, whom we've studied the last two messages. But a third prominent character is the chief antagonist, Haman the Agagite. In the Sight and Sound dramatic presentation we saw on Wednesday afternoon he is introduced with this narrative, "the serpent has entered the garden"; clearly, an allusion to the serpent in the original Garden of Eden. We must ever be on our guard against the many "serpents" that will enter into the garden of our own life, bringing deception, disillusionment and disaster.
Haman the Agagite is likely a
descendant of the Amalekite King Agag from 500
years earlier, yet as history attests, hatred can
last for many generations. He is the notorious
architect of the intended destruction of the Jews
during their exilic stay in Persia (Esther 3:1).
But God used Queen Esther and Mordecai, her close
relative who loved her like a father, as the
agents of His salvation. Haman himself was
executed on the very gallows he had erected for
Mordecai.The deliverance prompted the Jewish Feast of Purim which devout Jews still celebrate in remembrance of their victory from annihilation by Haman. At the Purim celebrations, Jews publicly read the book of Esther and every time the name Haman is about to be pronounced, people drown out the voice of the reader with shouts and noise-making toys!
In
fact, Ester along with Jesse and his children,
overheard a group of people sitting behind them at
Sight and Sound on Thursday cry out "boo" at the
mention of Haman's name. We wonder if these were
Jews who are familiar with the practices of the
Jewish Purim celebrations. Brooksyne and I were
seated on another side of the theater and didn't
hear them. Ester told us about it later and
thought them to be rude. We would have as well, so
it's interesting to research and find out a little
more about Jewish tradition!
Haman's life is an example of the fate of those who oppose God and His people. Setting oneself against God and persecuting His people is futile—it did not work for Haman, it did not work for Antiochus Epiphanes, it did not work for Adolph Hitler, and it will not work for the Antichrist. (from gotquestions.org)
From
Haman’s life we can learn several things:
1.
If you set yourself up against God and His
people, you will fail.
2. Pride goes before the fall.
3. You reap what you sow.
4. God’s methods vary in different times, in different settings, in different people and in different people groups but His promises are never broken.
2. Pride goes before the fall.
3. You reap what you sow.
4. God’s methods vary in different times, in different settings, in different people and in different people groups but His promises are never broken.
There
are several overarching lessons in the Book of
Esther including these themes:
- Obey God and leave the
consequences to Him.
- Trust that all things will eventually work out for the good (Romans 8:28).
- The very trap that an individual sets can actually backfire and capture the trapper. Proverbs 29:25 was exactly true of Haman, "The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe".
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Father, so many principles we learn
from Scripture are evidenced in the rescue of Your
people during the reign of Queen Esther. We see the
miraculous consequences of Esther's obedience to
Your plan for her life and that of her people.
We see how "pride goes before the fall" in the life
of proud Haman, whose deception and manipulation led
to his own humiliating demise. We see the love and
oversight of Esther through the life of Mordecai as
he lovingly looked after her, much like we are
called to look after the widows and orphans. We
especially see Your favor upon Your chosen people as
You brought about deliverance to those who would
otherwise be executed. Just as You raised up Esther
to intercede for her people, You sent Jesus to
intercede for us, by paying the price for our sins
so that we might be delivered and receive the crown
of life for all eternity. Thank You for Your mercies
that endure for all time. Amen.Today's
Suggested Music and Supplemental
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Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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