Day 2: The Making of a Diabolical Plot

Let’s look now at Haman.

At the beginning of Esther chapter three, the king promoted Haman above all the other nobles, and verse two tells us that he became the most powerful official in the empire. As such, the other nobles were instructed to bow to him whenever he passed by them.

However, the Bible says that Mordecai refused to bow down or show him respect.

The text doesn’t tell us why Mordecai refused to bow to Haman; it could have been for religious reasons or because he discerned Haman’s disdain for the Jews. Either way, to Mordecai something was not right about Haman.

Mordecai discerned correctly.

Chapter three, verse five tells us that Haman was filled with rage when he realized that Mordecai would not show him respect. As a leader and second in command to the king, this was not an appropriate reaction. Instead of responding in a mature way, we see Haman begin to abuse his power.

In verse eight, Haman’s rage causes him to become manipulative. He was angry at one man, but instead of dealing with Mordecai directly, he approached the king saying, “There is a certain race of people scattered through all the provinces of your empire who keep themselves separate from everyone else. Their laws are different from those of any other people, and they refuse to obey the laws of the king…” (NLT). Notice that Haman did not tell the King the name or nationality of this group of people—they were Jews.

Described as the enemy of the Jews, Haman’s depravity is further recounted in verses nine and ten. Not only did he manipulate the king into thinking “their” laws were bad, he tried to influence the king’s decision with a bribe for “their” extermination. Keep in mind, the Bible still has not indicated that the king knew that Haman was talking about the Jews.

Haman was motivated by rage, which caused him to be deceptive, manipulative, and vindictive. In verses twelve and thirteen, we see that giving place to these emotions left Haman susceptible to a spirit of murder. Remember, “For we do not fight against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12 NKJV).

Haman was possessed by a wicked principality that included a spirit of murder. This spirit was then released into the entire kingdom upon the king’s decree.

Application:

The political climate in your country may cause you to become angry. Discerning the wicked nature of people in leadership may produce feelings of rage. When you or those you love are disrespected and overlooked, it can lead to feelings of sadness and rejection. In situations like these, it’s important to go into the secret place to give these feelings and emotions to God. As Abba’s intercessors and leaders, who are called to rule and reign, our feelings and emotions should never get the best of us. Instead, we must cry out to God, become discerning like Mordecai, and fight these battles in prayer.

Pray:

Righteous Father, thank you for giving me the power to resist temptation and the authority to bind and loose on the earth what you have already bound and loosed in heaven. Today, I commit to being your warrior, and I decree your will in every part of our society. I pull down every stronghold and high thing in this country and organizations to which I belong that have exalted itself against the knowledge and truth of God. In the name of Jesus, I call for exposure of manipulative tactics in the organizations to which I belong and in this country. Holy Spirit, I ask you to expose hidden deception, rage, wickedness, and plots against specific people or people groups. Holy Spirit, please give your intercessors discernment to see (in the spirit) what our natural eyes cannot see. In Jesus’ name, amen.