(What to do when dealing with an Enemy)
As we continue the story of Esther, she gained favor with the king, but she learned that her people had an enemy, Haman. Haman was promoted by the king; he is Persian or an Agagite (This was mentioned in Chapters 3, 8 and 9). Why is this repeated so much in this book? Understanding Haman is an Agagite is the beginning of understanding his hatred for the Jews.
Historically, the Amalekites are descendants of Esau, who sold his birthright. Since the Amalekites attacked the Jews, God cursed them. Later, King Saul conquers them in a battle led by King Agag. Saul was supposed to kill King Agag and didn’t. Since Saul did not kill him, Samuel, a prophet hacked him to pieces. To make it worse, Mordecai is a descendant of Kish, (Esther 2:5). Kish is from the tribe of Benjamin, and Benjamin is the line of Saul. Haman and Mordecai knew their history. There was deep-seeded animosity between the descendants of Saul and the descendants of Agag. Neither had forgotten this history in their families. Haman was also calculating, prideful, wanted all to bow down to him, he demonstrated anger by plotting to kill Mordecai.
Was this just simple payback by Haman? No, it’s much bigger than that. Satan’s involved in this. Satan is involved in efforts to wipe out the Jewish people and bring to a halt God’s purpose of redemption on their behalf. Satan is doing the same today through others against us.
Well, Esther had a plan to kill Haman, and Haman fell into his own trap that he made for Mordecai.
It is good to know that our enemies may be working against us, but if we are patient, God can use the plot the enemy used against us, for us. Look at what the Psalm says:
“The nations have sunk down in the pit which they have made; in the net which they hid, their own foot has been caught. (9:15)
My eyes are continually toward the LORD, For He will pluck my feet out of the net. (25:15)
You will pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me, For You are my strength. (31:4)
So don’t worry about the net or plot your enemy is planning. Know who YOU belong to!
What was the outcome of Esther’s plan against her enemy, Haman?
“ King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given the house of Haman to Esther, and him they have hanged on the gallows because he had stretched out his hands against the Jews.” Esther 8:7
Esther‘s enemy was given to her to do with whatever she wanted!
With us the enemy is already defeated. We just have to believe this as we deal with him through others and situations.
The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”Psalm 110:1
And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Ephesians 1:22-23
But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead ]in our transgressions, made us alive together [g]with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:4-7
In the end, Esther didn’t just become queen, her cousin; Mordecai was second only to King Ahauserus and great among the Jews. The Feast of Purim, celebrated by the Jews up to day, was named after Queen Esther. The one woman who, for the sake of her people, was willing to say, “If I perish, I perish.”
I hope you enjoyed our time with Esther. My question to you is, are you willing to lay down your life for the kingdom? I’m not talking about death. I’m talking about the daily crucifying of the flesh, so your spirit can grow “in Christ”.
Prayer: Lord, we think you for all these women you have put in the Bible for our example. Help us to be like Esther, Mary, the Woman at the Well and others. But, help us to go beyond them because we have your indwelling Spirit residing in us! In Jesus name! Amen.
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