Haman Is Still Alive and Well
Preparing for the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost: One Day before Sunday (Year B)
Scripture
Semi-continuous: Psalm 124; Esther 3:1-15; Matthew 5:13-20
Complementary: Psalm 19:7-14; Deuteronomy 27:1-10; Matthew 5:13-20
___
Prayer
Lord God, friend of those in need, your Son Jesus has untied our burdens and healed our spirits. We lift up the prayers of our hearts for those still burdened, those seeking healing, those in need within the church and the world. Hear our prayers that we may love you with our whole being and willingly share the concerns of our neighbors. Amen. (Revised Common Lectionary)
___
Reflection
After these things King Ahasuerus promoted Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite and advanced him and set his seat above all the officials who were with him. And all the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate bowed down and did obeisance to Haman, for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai did not bow down or do obeisance. Then the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate said to Mordecai, “Why do you disobey the king’s command?” When they spoke to him day after day and he would not listen to them, they told Haman, in order to see whether Mordecai’s words would stand, for he had told them that he was a Jew. When Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow down or do obeisance to him, Haman was infuriated. But he thought it beneath him to kill only Mordecai. So, having been told who Mordecai’s people were, Haman plotted to destroy all the Jews, the people of Mordecai, throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus.
In the first month, which is the month of Nisan, in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, they cast Pur—which means “the lot”—before Haman for the day and for the month, and the lot fell on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar. Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, “There is a certain people scattered and separated among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom; their laws are different from those of every other people, and they do not keep the king’s laws, so that it is not appropriate for the king to tolerate them. If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued for their destruction, and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those who have charge of the king’s business, so that they may put it into the king’s treasuries.” So the king took his signet ring from his hand and gave it to Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews. The king said to Haman, “The money is given to you, and the people as well, to do with them as it seems good to you.”
Then the king’s secretaries were summoned on the thirteenth day of the first month, and an edict, according to all that Haman commanded, was written to the king’s satraps and to the governors over all the provinces and to the officials of all the peoples, to every province in its own script and every people in its own language; it was written in the name of King Ahasuerus and sealed with the king’s ring. Letters were sent by couriers to all the king’s provinces, giving orders to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all Jews, young and old, children and women, in one day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, and to plunder their goods. A copy of the document was to be issued as a decree in every province by proclamation, calling on all the peoples to be ready for that day. The couriers went quickly by order of the king, and the decree was issued in the citadel of Susa. The king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was thrown into confusion (Esther 3:1-15).
I knew a pastor who had a really hard time giving credit to other people. He would frequently take credit for the good ideas of his staff because he needed to be the center of attention. Needless to say that didn’t go over well with his staff and the others who knew about it. His insecurity continued to get the best of him. He is no longer in ministry.
Mordecai, Esther’s uncle saves the king from an assassination plot, and Esther rightfully gives credit to Mordecai before the king, though the king does not know that Esther and Mordecai are related. For some unknown reason, Haman gets the credit and he is honored instead of Mordecai. Haman is pleased to be the center of such attention.
But Mordecai knowing that Haman was receiving honor that was not due, refused to show respect to Haman as he walked by. Haman in his own insecurities could not handle Mordecai’s failure to be obedient. As narcissists often do, Haman not only blames one person for being slighted, he blames the whole group. Haman blames Mordecai's people, the Jews. It must not be just Mordecai who pays for it. His people have to suffer the consequences as well. So, Haman goes to the king and convinces him to implement a plan of extermination.
Sadly, this story has been played out many times in history. Yes, it has been played out more than once with the Jewish people on the receiving end of such horror, but it has also taken place with other groups as well. It is currently taking place with people who are othered—those not like the norm, whomever the norm happens to be—”those people.” One immigrant commits a crime and all of his people are guilty. They must be taken care of. They must be deported. They are the threat.
There are “Hamans” with us today. They seek to destroy today’s “Mordecai’s” and “Mordechai’s people.” It is imperative that we speak up on their behalf, so that what has all too frequently happened in the past will not take place today.
PRAYER: Keep, O Lord, your household the Church in your steadfast faith and love, that through your grace we may proclaim your truth with boldness, and minister your justice with compassion; for the sake of our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer)
___
For less than the price of one Little Caesar’s pepperoni pizza, you can support my work with a monthly paid subscription.