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PEOPLE OF THE BIBLE

Introduction

The book of Esther may seem to be a strange book to be included in the Scriptures to some people. The reason for that is the absence of the name of God from the entire writing.

As we think of this fact we could surmise that at the time of the writing of the book there must have been an intense spiritual carnality among the people of Israel. Regardless of the lack of acknowledgment concerning God, Esther reveals some wonderful truths regarding God’s faithfulness.

Tonight we want to look at the next person who comes on the scene in this book– a wicked man by the name of Haman. When we think about Haman, we need to consider how he got to be where he was.

I.         HAMAN’S PROMOTION. (Esther 3:1-2a)

            We see here that Haman was given a promotion by the king.

We do not know why he was promoted, but we do know that his promotion was significant. (He appears to be the second in command, possibly acting as prime minister.)

            Whatever his position, we read that all were to bow to him.

Understand that Haman should never have been around to begin with had it not been for the disobedience of King Saul years earlier.

            It says that Haman was a son of an Agagite. 1 Samuel 15:1-3; 7-9

            God had declared that ALL of the Amalakites were to be destroyed

Saul chose to spare Agag – we are not told, but Saul undoubtedly spared some of his family also.

Now the heir to the Amalakites – the focus of God’s wrath is in a position to wipe out the people of Israel

II.       HAMAN’S HATRED. (Esther 3:2b-6)

            A.        His Hatred Manifested.

Haman’s hatred manifested itself when Mordecai would not bow down to him or show him reverence. The reason for this was two-fold:

                        1.         Mordecai knew that Haman was from an accursed race. (Deuteronomy 25:17-19)

                        2.         Mordecai knew that this kind of worship is only due God, not men.

            B.        His Hatred Magnified.

                        Haman’s hatred spread from one man (Mordecai) to the whole race of the Jews.

II.       HAMAN’S PLOT. (Esther 3:6-15)

            Haman’s rage became national.

            1.         Mordecai was the catalyst.

            2.         His hatred of Mordecai moved his thinking from destroying the one man to destroying the whole nation of Israel.

He “rolls the dice” seeking the right day. It was a common practice to cast lots for discerning favorable conditions.

Proverbs 16:33–“The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.”

            He approaches the king and sets his plan before the King to get his wish.

            1.         Haman appeals to the safety of the nation.

                        a..        Certain people are scattered throughout the kingdom – (breed rebellion)

                        b.         They have different laws and customs.

                        c.         They do not obey the king.

            2.         Haman offers to pay the King.

                        a.         He offers ten thousand talents of silver. (750,000 pounds)

                                    This would be worth $85,200,000 at today’s price of silver.

                                    Haman must have been a man of immense wealth.

                        b.         We can see from this that Haman REALLY hated the Jews!

IV.      HAMAN’S PROBLEM. (Esther 4:1-17; 5:1-8)

            Haman doesn’t know it yet, but God has positioned Mordecai’s orphan cousin as Queen.

            A.        Mordecai is grieving over the ruling of the king. (4:1-4)

            B.        Esther responds to his grief. (4:5-17)

            C.        Esther prepares to approach the king.

            D.        Esther appears before the king. (Esther 5:1-8)

                        1.         She asks for a meal with the king and Haman.

                        2.         She asks for another meal with the king and Haman

V.        HAMAN’S PSYCHOSIS. (Esther 5:9-14)

            Mordecai made a real nut case out of Haman!

            A.        First We See That He’s Joyful And Happy. (Vs 9a)

            B.        Then He Sees Mordecai And He’s Full Of Rage. (Vs 9b)

            C.        Then He Restrains Himself And Goes Home. (Vs 10a)

            D.        Then He Calls For His Family And Friends. (Vs 10b)

            E.        Then He Boasts And Brags Of His Good Fortune. (Vs 11-12)

            F.        Then He Reveals His Contempt For Mordecai. (Vs 13)

            G.        Then He’s Counseled By His Wife And Friends. (Vs 14)

                        1.         Build the gallows. . .75 feet high!

                        2.         Speak To The King!

                        3.         Hang Mordecai tomorrow!

VI.      HAMAN’S PRIDE. (Esther 6:1-9)

            A.        The King’s Problem.

The king suffered from insomnia that night and called for his servants to read the book of records of the chronicles.

            B.        Haman’s Problem.

Here we see Haman up early to get the kings permission to hang Mordecai.

                        He Believes the king is honoring him! What an ego!

VII.     HAMAN’S HUMILIATION. (Esther 6:10-14)

            Can you feel the blood rush to his head? (Vs. 10)

            Haman is forced to honor the VERY same man that he wants to kill! (Vs 11)

            Mordecai returns to the gate an honored man. (Vs 12)

            Haman returns home to face the beginning of his demise (his wife was prophetic!)

            (Vs 13)

Then the knock on the door comes and its time for the banquet for the man who has now lost his appetite. (Vs 14)

VIII.   HAMAN’S DEMISE. (Esther 7:1-10)

            A.        Esther pleads for her people. (7:1-4)

            B.        Esther accuses Haman. (7:5-6)

            C.        The King deals with Haman. (7:7-10)

                        He was hung on his own gallows

Psalm 9:15-16–“The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken. The LORD is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands.

IX.      HAMAN’S POSSESSIONS.

            A.        His Property. (8:1)

He had hoped to confiscate the Jews property and now His house was given to Esther.

            B.        His Position. (8:2; 10:3)

                        Mordecai was given the signet ring that had originally been given to Haman.

                        Mordecai was put over the house of Haman.

            C.        His Plot. (8:11)

The king could not undo his original edict. However, the king gives a new edict which allowed the Jews to defend themselves against any attack and destroy those who sought to harm them.

            D.        His People. (9:10)

Conclusion 

Genesis 12:3–“And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curseth thee.”

The people of Israel were not delivered because they were perfect. They were delivered because they were God’s covenant people.

The same security that God gave in his protection of the Jews, we have in Christ Jesus!

Nothing shall separate us from the love we have in Christ Jesus!

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NOTICE:   THESE SERMONS ARE FREE TO BE USED BUT ARE NOT TO BE SOLD!