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Haman is Hanged August 26, 2023

Posted by flashbuzzer in Books, Christianity.
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Here are my thoughts on Esther 7:7-10.

Summary: In this passage, Haman pleads for his life from Esther – and breaks court etiquette, causing Xerxes to accuse him of attempting to molest her. Xerxes then condemns him to death; he then follows the advice of his eunuch, Harbona, by hanging Haman on the gallows (i.e. the gallows that Haman had built for Mordecai).

Thoughts: In verse 8, Xerxes accuses Haman of attempting to molest Esther. Reid offers some thoughts on this point:

Whether the author intends that Xerxes sees this as a good excuse to get rid of Haman without implicating himself, or whether he intends to stress that trust has totally broken down between Haman and Xerxes, Haman’s action here is explained as an attempt to save his life rather than an attempt to assault Esther. So the final blow to Haman’s life comes by way of a false accusation, not dissimilar to the injustice of false accusation that the Jewish people themselves have suffered at Haman’s hands.

Verse 7 states that Haman “saw that harm was determined against him by the king”; thus, even if he had maintained a proper distance between himself and Esther, would Xerxes have spared his life? Also, based on his mutual enmity with Mordecai, it is clear that only one of them would have survived at the end of this book (and it is evident that before the events of this passage, Haman was in decline).

On a side note, I am confused by Reid’s note about Xerxes “implicating himself”. Since Xerxes was the king of Persia, did Esther even entertain the thought of deposing him (as he had effectively sanctioned Haman’s plot against the Jews)? If she had attempted to hold him responsible for attempting to harm the Jews, I believe that he would have disposed of her – just as he had disposed of Vashti. In this case, I do not believe that he was in any danger – even from his beloved queen.

Esther Reveals Haman’s Plot August 20, 2023

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Here are my thoughts on Esther 6:14-7:6.

Summary: In this passage, Haman is summoned by the royal eunuchs to the second banquet that Esther has prepared.

At that banquet, she finally reveals her objective (i.e. the deliverance of the Jews). After interceding with Xerxes for her people, she depicts Haman as his enemy – forcing Xerxes to choose between her and Haman.

Thoughts: Esther finally reveals her objective to Xerxes. Reid offers some thoughts on this point in her commentary on verse 3:

Esther’s words are poetic and climactic. In the context of this cosy scene of wining and dining, their shock value must have been high…For the first time, Esther fully reveals herself as Jewish and identifies herself with her people’s plight. This is the moment when Mordecai’s challenge to her (4:13-14) takes hold of her life.

At this watershed moment, Esther takes her greatest risk by identifying with her people. Indeed, Xerxes could have rejected her plea and allowed Haman free reign; moreover, he could have discarded her – just as he had discarded Vashti – and selected another queen. Since he ruled over a vast empire, he had no shortage of prospects for the role of his consort. Esther knew that she was not indispensable to Xerxes – yet she would not abandon her people. Clearly God was working in her at this time, calming her mind and strengthening her resolve. As modern-day believers, we should reflect on this passage in the midst of our trials.

The King Honors Mordecai August 19, 2023

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Here are my thoughts on Esther 6:1-13.

Summary: In this passage, Xerxes learns that Mordecai has not been rewarded for his earlier act of loyalty to him. While he is determining an appropriate reward for Mordecai, Haman – who is seeking (royal) honor – appears before him.

Xerxes then humiliates Haman by ordering him to bestow (royal) honor on Mordecai. Later, Haman returns to the security of his own home – where his wife and his advisors predict his demise.

Thoughts: In verse 10, Xerxes orders Haman to bestow (royal) honor on Mordecai. Reid offers some thoughts on this point:

From Xerxes’ point of view Mordecai is no threat – he may have been more reluctant to accept this advice if Haman had been the object of his intentions! Haman is told to act quickly…and by this Haman is equally swiftly put in his place. All ideas of grandeur can be forgotten.

I view verse 10 as a “sick burn” by Xerxes. This “sick burn” rests on:

  • verse 6, where Xerxes (either knowingly or unknowingly) sets up Haman
  • verses 7-9, where Haman (unknowingly) accentuates his humiliation.

I assume that when Jewish audiences hear this verse in the annual retelling of this story during Purim, they burst out laughing. This verse also highlights God’s sense of humor – i.e. how He laughs at the humiliation of His enemies. We usually associate Him with other feelings (e.g. love, wrath, grief), so this verse is a valuable reminder of His inherent complexity.

In verse 11, Haman bestows (royal) honor on Mordecai according to his own instructions in verses 7-9. Reid offers some thoughts on this point:

The climax to this episode is recorded without reference to the thoughts or feelings of Haman or Mordecai. Nothing needs to be said because the enmity and bitterness between them has already been established. The writer can trust the reader to read between the lines.

This verse raises questions such as: did Haman need to stifle the urge to curse Mordecai, knowing that if he cursed him, his actions would be reported to Xerxes? Did Mordecai need to stifle the urge to grin from ear to ear, knowing that he had utterly humiliated his enemy? Did Xerxes and his young men laugh while Haman paraded Mordecai through the square of Susa? Did Haman utter his proclamations with gritted teeth, or did he compel himself to shout his praise of Mordecai? Were the residents of Susa aware of “the enmity and bitterness between them”? If so, were they amused by this episode?

Haman Plans to Hang Mordecai August 13, 2023

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Here are my thoughts on Esther 5:9-14.

Summary: In this passage, Mordecai again refuses to acknowledge Haman’s authority – provoking Haman’s (fragile) ego. After consulting his wife, Zeresh, and his supporters, he decides to have Mordecai executed.

Thoughts: Haman is enraged by Mordecai’s rejection of his authority. Reid offers some thoughts on this point in her commentary on verse 13:

The thorn in Haman’s egocentric flesh is of course Mordecai…Haman indicates that he has no satisfaction because Mordecai is still sitting at the king’s gate…from his perspective he receives no sense of pleasure from those things that should bring him honour, because Mordecai’s dishonouring of him means too much to him in comparison. In one sense this is ludicrous; in another it betrays the deep-rooted nature of the enmity between them…

Reid’s note about the “deep-rooted nature of the enmity between” Haman and Mordecai dispels my idle speculations on this passage. In particular, I wondered: why didn’t Haman recognize that the God of Israel was protecting and sustaining Mordecai? If he could have acknowledged God’s sovereignty, then he could have left Mordecai to his own devices – while reveling in his riches and the honor that he had received from Xerxes. Yet he could not deny his Agagite heritage. As a sworn enemy of the Jews, he could not acknowledge the sovereignty of their God. If life required submitting to the authority of the God of the Jews, then Haman would have chosen death…