The Story of Mordechai and Esther, Ahasuarus and Haman PART TWO

Here we resume the story of Mordechai and Esther, Ahasuarus and Haman. We've established the characters, now let's learn more about them and hear some stories.

Part One
Part Two

THE CITY GATES

MORDECAI got a job at the city gates to judge, because he was a very good man who judged righteously. He feared God and he wanted to keep an eye out for Hadassah to make sure she was safe.

Something interesting happened about this time. As MORDECAI was judging at the city gates, he overhead a very disturbing conversation. You see, two of the king’s guards became angry (probably frustrated by all the king’s rules) and began potting together to attack and kill the king and replace him. MORDECAI knew this was wrong, since God is the one who sets up and deposes kings. He knew God and he knew God’s will, he couldn’t allow this to happen. So he sent a message to Hadassah and she sent a message to king Akav-sheriff about the evil plot.

MORDECAI knew he did the right thing.

Well wouldn’t you know it, those guards got in serious trouble after their plot was discovered and proven true by two or three witnesses. The king did what most kings do to those who break their rules: he killed the guards, having them hung from gallows in full public display.

Yes, that’s what he did. This king doesn’t mess around, if you break a rule, (especially a plot to do harm to the king) there can be some serious consequences. I mean he is king of the whole earth, 127 provinces and such.

It would be easy to fear the king, but MORDECAI knew that those who fear God and are faithful will be blessed wherever they are, even when things look really bad. MORDECAI didn’t receive any glory for saving the king, nor any reward. He was a humble man who wanted to give the glory to God, more than receive glory for himself. God saw the heart of MORDECAI and made sure this deed was written in His book in Heaven.

THE RULES

It seems as if the Most High God was paying special attention to MORDECAI, to see what was truly in his heart. I don’t think it was a coincidence what happened next. It all started when Akav-sheriff made Haman (you know the guy with the funny hat) his second in command. That scoundrel Haman wanted the glory he felt he was due for himself, so he had the king make a rule that everyone must bow down before Haman (booo!) as he passed by.

That was a bad rule.

Whenever Haman (booo!) walked by the city gates, everyone bowed down to him because it was the king’s rule. Akav-sheriff had a lot of rules and people were scared of him, so they bowed down before Hamin (boo) no matter what they thought of him. Boo.

However, because MORDECAI was a good man who feared God, he refused to bow down before Haman (booo!). This made Haman (booo!!) very angry. “How dare you, Mr Morti. You have to bow down before me, because it’s a rule!” MORDECAI still refused and Haman stomped off with his hands folded, pouting like a little boy.

MORDECAI knew he did the right thing.

THE WICKED AGAGITE HAMAN

Haman wanted to get rid of MORDECAI and everyone else who would dare obey the rules of God over the rules of his earthly king. Besides, he was going to be king some day and he couldn’t have his subjects thinking they could disobey him, even for a second.

So wicked Haman (booo!) found out about the people of Israel, that their God delivered them from Egypt and planted them in Canaan and prospered them until they rebelled, and God sent Assyria and Babylon to scatter them among the nations. Now here they are, in Susa and all the provinces of the king of Persia, thinking that their King (that is the Most High God) is of higher authority than his Persian king of the earth, 127 provinces and all! Wicked Haman (booo!) thought:

“If only my ancestors the Amalekites (may their name be blotted out) destroyed the tribes of Israel in the wilderness, then they would not be undermining my (I mean my king’s) authority today. If only my ancestor king Agag defeated Israel in days of old, this Benjaminite MORDICAI would be kissing my feet!!! Hmmm… I know what I’ll do, I’ll destroy Israel from all Persia and rid the world of these people! These Jews. These…. Zionist!”

Haman (booo!) became furious at MORDICAI and the people of God and made it his mission to destroy them since they follow the rules of their God over the rules of his king.

You know, if only wicked Haman was paying attention: The Most High God was prospering His people Israel in the land of the Persians and all of the lavish wealth of king Akav-sheriff was for their benefit! They honored their foreign king in the land as much as they could and were orderly, so long as they were not asked to disobey their God. Yet Haman was turning against his own prosperity and power… foolish Haman.

Anyway, where were we in the story. Oh yes. We'll pick it up next installment.