Monday, March 07, 2011

The Villain ... Boo! Hiss! (Est. 3:1-2a)

Later, King Xerxes promoted Haman the son of Hammedatha to the highest position in his kingdom. Haman was a descendant of Agag, and the king had given orders for his officials at the royal gate to honor Haman by kneeling down to him.
(Esther 3:1-2a, CEV)

Ah … a new character has entered our story.

Every good story needs a villain, and Haman is definitely that. If you’ve ever watched an old melodrama, he’s the one at whom you’d boo and hiss as he entered the stage.

Although, I have to say, at first glance, there’s nothing to indicate that Haman is anything other than someone who’s obviously worked hard to get to a position of honor. After all, it’s doubtful he reached the “highest position in [the king’s] kingdom” unless he earned it.

But we’re given a hint of whom Haman really is. He is a descendant of Agag, a leader of the Amalekites, who were bitter enemies of the people of Israel. Several times, the Bible describes how the Amalekites would attack God’s chosen people. And in 1 Samuel 15, God commanded the total and complete destruction of this mortal enemy.

So knowing Haman comes from a long line of Israel’s enemies is key for understanding what comes next in our story.

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