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ESTHER

CHAPTER 3

1 After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him. 2 And all the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence. 3 Then the king's servants, which were in the king's gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king's commandment? 4 Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew. 5 And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath. 6 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.

It is noted that this Haman who was promoted was an "Agagite." That is, he was an Amalekite, a descendent of Amalek.
God had told Israel not to forget what Amalek had done to them (Deuteronomy 25:17). The Amalekites had acted in a cowardly manner when Israel was marching to the promised land. They had sneaked up behind Israel when the nation was tired and weary.
Everyone seemed to think Haman was a great guy. They all bowed when he passed by as though he were really something. But Mordecai would not.
Moredecai's friends talked to him about this. And he told them that he was a Jew, and that he could not in good conscience bow before another man. God had told His people that He was a JEALOUS God, and that they should give "worship" to no other (Exodus 20:1-5).
Mordecai would believe and trust in God rather than man.
He did not refuse to bow in pride, but in deference to God.
Haman however, had a real problem with this. Most good men of state would have thought it nothing to be concerned about. But Haman allowed the thing to unsettle him. He became angry, and viciously plotted not only to kill Mordecai, but ALL JEWS!

7 In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar. 8 And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them. 9 If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king's treasuries. 10 And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy. 11 And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee.

In devising the plot to kill all the Jews, Haman had servants cast "Pur," or the "lot" to determine which date would be best for this awful deed.
Then Haman went to the king and told him that there was a certain people in the kingdom who were deserving of death. They were a people who had their own laws and would not observe the king's laws. It would be better for the king to rid himself of these people.
Haman even offered to pay the king's treasury 10,000 talents of silver for the privilege of killing all the Jews.
Ahasuerus was not much of a king. He didn't investigate the charges at all. He simply took Haman's word for the matter. He also told Haman that he himself would pay the 10,000 talents of silver, and thus Haman would have his deed done freely.
The king gave his ring to Haman for sealing a document which gave authority for the Jews to be killed.
Prejudice leads to murder. A leader with integrity would not devise such an evil plot nor would a leader allow such a plot. It was "evil:" born of sin and devised in hatred.

12 Then were the king's scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's ring. 13 And the letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey. 14 The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, that they should be ready against that day. 15 The posts went out, being hastened by the king's commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed.

Nevertheless, the deed was done. A letter was written, sealed by the king; and authority given for the Jews to be executed on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month.
Notice verse 15. When the command was sent, the king and Haman sat down to drink. They considered it nothing to kill thousands of innocent people.
But the city of Sushan (the people) were "perplexed." They knew this was an evil thing. They could not understand how a king could order such an awful thing to be done.
Who would be next? Which nationality would be executed after this?
But God has His way in the affairs of men. And no evil plot will succeed against the Lord's people when they are following His way.

" And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. But there shall not an hair of your head perish. In your patience possess ye your souls."(Matthew 21:16-18)