WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2
Esther 3:1
Deuteronomy 25:17-19

"God is still on the throne,
and He will remember His own."

ANOTHER PROMOTION

Chapter 3 begins with "After these things." These "things" were about how Esther ended up being queen, Mordecai saving the king by informing Esther, and Mordecai’s name being noted in the king’s records as a result. It was following these events that a new character, Haman, was introduced. And in verse 1, his promotion was mentioned specifically. Haman was highly elevated by King Ahasuerus, and positioned to a rank above every other prince around him. Haman was an Agagite. This means that he was a descendent of the Amalekite king, Agag. This would be a significant point later on. The Amalekites attacked the children of Israel when God led His people out of Egypt. Here we see the children of Israel’s old enemy (Esther 3:10) being put into an important position of power and influence. The intrigue begins.

The reason for Haman’s promotion is not mentioned. But it is clear that it was a significant advancement in a world superpower. King Ahasuerus even gave command that all must bow and show respect to Haman. Would there be concerns rising in the hearts of the exiled Jews at such news of the promotion? How would such an enemy of God’s people view the Jews in the land? What might Haman do to the Jews in view of the historical fact that the Jewish prophet Samuel hacked to pieces his ancestor king Agag (1 Sam 15:33)? Sometimes we get worried when we see people who hate Christians being promoted to high positions in politics, at the work place, and in society. Do we then fret and get concerned? We need to learn to trust that God has not lost control, or that He has not noticed. We will see that as the drama unfolds on this chessboard, God is very much in command of the situation and can never be taken by surprise.

THOUGHT: Does God’s enemy seem to have the upper hand now?
PRAYER: Lord, help me to know that Thou art always in control.

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