An Old Enemy with a New Name

As if the story hasn’t already been dramatic enough, things take a turn for the worse in this chapter. The Jewish people suddenly find themselves on the brink of annihilation once again. We are introduced to an evil, power-crazed man who is mentioned 53 times in the book who hates the Jews and tries to exterminate them. His name is Haman. Set against the backdrop of a tense standoff between Mordecai and Haman, a Jewish holocaust seems very likely.

I. The of the Story (1-2)

• Any Jew would have seen the in the opening verses of chapter 3. 
• As we have opportunity, we should do to all men. (Galatians 3:10)
• Doing the right thing may not be recognized or rewarded.
• One of the great of this life is that wickedness gets promoted.

II. The of the Strife (1-2)

•   The bad blood dates all the way back to Exodus 17 where the Amalekites became the very first nation in the world to attack the new nation of . 
• Haman is just an old with a new name. Haman wants to try and where his ancestors failed.

III. The of Satan (3-6)

• The name Haman means “ and tumultuous.”
• It’s not hard to see the similarities between Haman and Satan.  Like Satan, he longs to be . Like Satan, he lies, he steals, and he murders.  Like Satan, he hates God’s people and is an of God’s people. Like Satan, he divides and God’s people. Like Satan, he thrives on chaos and confusion.
• Long before Satan shows up in chapter 3, God had already placed His people in of influence and power where they would be able to oppose Haman’s plot and thwart Satan’s plan.