Haman, A Lesson of Pride: Part One

The Old Testament is filled with accounts of individuals, both good and bad.  Some give us encouragement and strength to read about their faith and service.  Others serve as examples of how not to live due to their recorded sins and mistakes (Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 10:1-11).  One such person is mentioned in the book of Esther.  Let us study a little about the man named Haman, and let us see how that pride destroyed him.

During the historical time of the Medo-Persian Empire, Ahasuerus the king wanted a replacement for his former queen Vashti.  After different ladies were allowed to go into the presence of the king, one certain lady impressed him and others.  Her name was Esther.  It is recorded, “Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed.  And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her” (Esther 2:15).  “And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti” (Esther 2:17).  At that time, Esther had not revealed her ancestry because Mordecai had instructed her not to do so (Esther 2:20).  This would be a very important factor later in her life.

After Esther was appointed as queen, two men, Bigthan and Teresh, devised a plan to harm the king.  Mordecai became privy to their scheme and told Esther, who in turn told Ahasuerus (Esther 2:21-22).  As a result, Bigthan and Teresh, were taken and hanged (Esther 2:23).  Mordecai’s willingness to speak against Bigthan and Teresh possibly saved the king’s life.  This would be a very important factor for Mordecai and the Jews.

Later in the book, we are introduced to a man known as Haman, the son Hammedatha the Agagite.  This man became very decorated and positioned amongst the king’s princes.  The king even commanded that his subjects were to bow and reverence Haman (Esther. 3:1-2).  No doubt, such advancement can quickly “go to a person’s head,” if he is not humble.  Such was the case with Haman.

All the king’s servants obeyed the decree to bow and reverence Haman, but Mordecai refused to do so.  Word got back to Haman, and instead of letting the matter go, he was “…full of wrath” (Esther 3:5).  It is written, “And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai:  wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai” (Esther 3:7).  Haman convinced the king that the there was a rebellioius people that needed to be “destroyed” (Esther 3:9).  He did not tell the king that these people were Jews.  Instead, he conveniently left that unspoken.  No doubt, trusting Haman, as the king did, he gave permission for Haman to move forward with his plan (Esther 3:11).

Mordecai came to understand Haman’s intentions.  He immediately went into a stage of mourning, along with other Jews (Esther. 4:1-3).  The queen learned of Mordecai’s public display, and she tried to get him to stop.  Instead, Mordecai gave word to Esther of what Haman had planned to do.  He encouraged her to be brave and go before the king so that the Jews would have a chance of not being destroyed.  To her credit, Esther bravely did such (Esther 4:16).  The king was pleased with Esther, and he was willing to grant her petition.  Esther indicated that she wanted to prepare a “banquet,” and her guests were to be Haman and the king (Esther 5:8).  Haman became flattered by the queen’s desire for his attendance.

Not long after, Haman encountered Mordecai, who refused to show him reverence.  Haman was “…full of indignation against Mordecai” (Esther 5:9).  He then explained to his wife how Mordecai’s refusal caused him terrible grief.  She devised a plan.  Have gallows built so that Mordecai could be hanged thereon.  Haman liked that idea because he thought it would improve his disposition before going to Esther’s planned “banquet” (Esther 5:14).

Later on, during a sleepness night, Ahasuerus found out what Mordecai had done previously to save the king from Bigthan and Teresh (Esther 6:1-3).  Ahasuerus wanted Mordecai to be rewarded for his good deed.  He called Haman, and asked him, “What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour” (Esther 6:6).  Haman believed it was he who would receive the king’s honor.  So he told the king, “…For the man whom the king delighteth to honour, Let the royal apparel be brought which the king useth to wear, and the horse that the king rideth upon, and the crown royal which is set upon his head:  And let the apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king’s most noble princes, that they may array the man withal whom the king delighteth to honour, and bring him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honour” (Esther 6:9).    To be continued…
~ Corey Barnette