This week was the celebration of Purim, celebrated as a joyous occasion by Jews all over. It commemorates the saving of the Jewish people by the acts of the Jewish queen Esther. The Old Testament book of Esther provides details of the events that led up her actions and the consequences of Haman’s plots and schemes.
Haman’s Plot
Haman was an official in the king’s court, just as Esther’s uncle Mordecai was. Haman had plotted to see the Jews exterminated and convinced the king to write an order that would have resulted in the complete destruction of the Jewish people throughout the empire. Unfortunately, the plan was hatched so well that the king did not even realize that his order would result in the ultimate demise of the Hebrew people.
Haman had many co-conspirators that aided in writing the document, convincing the king to issue his decree and be ready to execute the order. It reminds me of order number sixty-six in the Star Wars episode ‘Revenge of the Sith’ where the Jedi were to be considered traitors or enemies of the republic and were to be consequently executed.
No one knew of the order except for the Republic army troops. So, it was a secret plot, which called for the extermination of the people who had kept the peace in the galaxy so well for hundreds of years.
In our story, Haman plots with others to get rid of the people to whom the Prince of Peace would eventually come. Haman was an Amalekite, a descendant of the people that opposed Israel in their early days. The Amalekites were an ancient race and one that tried to stop God’s plans on several occasions in Genesis through 1 Samuel. While their antics against Israel were nothing new, at no other point in history did an Amalekite have so much authority.
That is what made Haman’s plot such a powerful one. The only way to prevent it from succeeding would be to arm the Jewish people ahead of time to defend themselves. The king had issued a decree that made it law and could not be repealed.
A Time As This
Esther, or Hadassah, had been chosen queen out from among a vast number of candidates in the kingdom. Upon discovering the plot by Haman, Esther’s uncle, Mordecai insisted that she would have to act or God would choose someone else.
Who knows, perhaps you were born for such a time as this was his directive to her. That would be no easy task, requiring her to approach the king. To have an audience with the king meant you were invited or if you showed up uninvited, you needed grace and mercy for the scepter to be extended, or you would be executed.
Esther planned a banquet and invited only her husband, the king, and Haman. After successfully approaching the king and having both men attend her banquet, she divulged Haman’s plot, and even her uncle Mordecai was commentated by the king for his loyal actions.
Haman met his demise on the gallows he had built for Mordecai and other falsely accused court members. Thus, the plot was foiled, and the schemer was punished. The Jews defended themselves from their would-be murderers and survived to fulfill their assignment, at least partially for now.
Stand Up To Those Plotting Against You
You may not be a Jedi facing execution or a Jew facing destruction, but the enemy has plotted and formed weapons to shut you up and, if need be, to kill you. People complain about how hard it is to serve God and be faithful with so many obstacles, traps, and weapons formed against them. Yet, that is the enemy’s assignment.
We need to be like Mordechai when the Haman’s come calling, wanting you to bow or stand up when they come across your path. Our nation is faced with a plague of what many call cancel culture. We are told we have freedom of speech and speak our beliefs, but if they do not line up to be politically correct, then certain members of society call for our voices to be silenced or canceled.
That is what they tried to do to the Jews and they thought they had done to Jesus. At some point you have to draw a line in the sand and say thus far and no more. We have to be heard before it is too late or the enemy will silence us for good.
There are situations we face every day where we can speak up for truth. Often we do not want to rock the boat. Sometimes it is wisdom to be silent for that moment, but eventually we will have a queen Esther moment and the Lord may say, “who knows whether or not I brought you here for this time.”
The hour is late and we cannot continue to mis opportunities to proclaim the gospel and reach the lost with the truth of the good news. The Church is in disarray and many have intoduced doctrines and teachiungs that are contrary to the gospel, but are finding a following. Will you follow or lead? It is time to decide.If you follow the latest trend, where will it lead you? If you follow the Word, Jesus, He will lead you toeverlasting life, or what we also call immortality. It’s time to stand up and be heard!
Sound It Plain With Joseph Floyd 