Pastor’s Bible Reading Schedule:
Esther 1-5
Haman was an “Agagite,” a descendant from Agag, king of the Amalekites. Knowing the history of the Amalekites animosity toward Israel, we can understand why Haman hated the Jews. God had declared war on the Amalekites and wanted their name and memory blotted off the face of the earth.
The story goes back to the time of Israel’s wanderings, when the Amalekites attacked God’s weary people in the rear ranks of the marching nation. After Moses commanded Joshua to fight against Amalek, he interceded on the mountain, and Joshua won a great victory. God told Moses to write in a book that He had declared war on the Amalekites and would one day utterly destroy them because of what they had done to His people. Moses reminded the Israelites of the Amalekites’ treacherous attack before they entered the Promised Land.
It was Saul, whom God chose to destroy the Amalekites; and he failed in his responsibility and lost his own crown. Because Saul didn’t fully obey the Lord, some Amalekites lived; and one of their descendants, Haman, determined to annihilate his people’s ancient enemy, the Jews. It’s worth noting that King Saul, a Benjamite, failed to destroy the Amalekites; but Mordecai, also a Benjamite, took up the battle and defeated Haman. It’s also worth noting that the Amalekites was a descendant of Esau, and Esau was the enemy of his brother Jacob. This was another stage in the age-old conflict between the flesh and the Spirit, Satan and the Savior, the way of faith and the way of the world.
Everything about Haman is despicable; you can’t find one thing about this man worth praising. In fact, everything about Haman, God hated! “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief.” (Proverbs 6:16-18) Keep these seven evil characteristics in mind as you read the Book of Esther, for you will see them depicted in this depraved man named Haman.
Prayer Requests:
Personal
- Lord, please help me to hate the things you hate and never let them be part of my life.
- Lord, please help me to stand firm against those who oppose your program.
- Lord, please help me to be obedient, knowing you have a very good reason for every command you give.
Political
- Representative Brian Elder
- Representative Jim Ellison
- Representative Diana Farrington