Saturday, June 7, 2014

Haman: Another Victim of Victory Disease (3)



Overconfidence, Stereotyping the Enemy, Complacency

The next time we see Haman is in chapter 5. In between that time, Esther and Mordecai discuss the possible destruction of the Jews and the plan to save them. Esther planned on coming before the king unannounced which could have been punished by death. She did as such and obtained favor in the sight of her husband. She was even offered half the kingdom if she so asked. She asked the king and Haman to attend a banquet that she would prepare.

Esther wishes to throw another banquet and it seems that Haman is to considered the guest of honor (Esther 5:5-8). How does Haman respond? “Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him, he was full of indignation against Mordecai. Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife. And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all the things wherein the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king. Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and to morrow am I invited unto her also with the king. Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate. Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made” (Est. 5:9-14)

He is as happy as can be. “The queen is holding a banquet and the king and I are the only ones invited!” He then sees Mordecai and allows it to ruin his day. He controls himself because he has the opportunity to tell all of his friends about the wonderful life he has. He speaks of the glory of his riches. He tells of the multitude of children he has (it is thought that Haman was Persian and one of the ultimate signs of manliness was to be the father of many sons). Haman had ten sons. He recounts the story of how Xerxes promoted him and how he advanced higher than ANY of the princes of the kingdom. “Oh by the way, who has two thumbs and was the only person invited to a banquet with the king and queen? THIS GUY!”

He seems to have a good life but all of that is waste due to one person. “Mordecai, the Jew.” All of this was worthless as he was still alive. Notice that Haman is stereotyping him enemy. It was not Mordecai but Mordecai THE JEW. Oftentimes in the Bible, individuals are mentioned by their lineage as Haman’s father was referred to as “…the Agagite” (Est. 3:1). While Haman was referring to some extent to the fact that Mordecai was a Jew it was likely not a reference to his lineage. He was stereotyping his enemy. Stereotyping could also be referred to another name although it is not often thought of as such – racism. Think back to some of the old Disney and Warner Bros. cartoons during World War II. There were many stereotypes concerning the Germans, Italians, and Japanese in them.

His friend who, truth be told, are some of the saddest individuals who walked the face of the earth have some advice for Haman. They and his wife tell him to build a hangman gallows where Mordecai may be hanged. This would make him happy and he could go to the banquet with no worries. He follows their advice. Chalk this one up to overconfidence. He never spoke to Xerxes as to whether or not this would be okay but decides to commission the gallows regardless.

One could even notice complacency in the next chapter. Complacency is defined as, “the feeling you have when you are satisfied with yourself.” There is nothing else that can be done to improve upon Haman. He is perfection in his own eyes.

On a night that Xerxes could not sleep he had the book of records read to him. As it is read, he is told of how Mordecai stopped an assassination attempt. He asks what has been done to reward Mordecai and finds nothing has been done. Guess who comes strolling in around this time. Haman wants to speak to Xerxes about having Mordecai hanged. “So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour? Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honour more than to myself?” (Est. 6:6).

Remember that our subject is arrogant, overconfident, and complacent.  “Who is more perfect to be rewarded with such a thing than I, Haman?” He responds, “Give him the king’s royal garb to wear, let him ride the king’s horse, and wear a crown. Let one of the king’s noble’s deliver these things to him and have that noble lead this man through the streets speaking praises to all the people. Let that be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honor.” You have to imagine that Haman is imagining himself on that horse wearing the king’s garments and the crown. He is soaking up the adoration of the people as they bow down before his presence. Where is Mordecai? Why he is forced to walk in front of Haman with a rope tied around his neck. That insolent Jew is singing the praises of Haman before he swings on the gallows! That would be where the procession would end. Mordecai’s death would be the cherry on top.

Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at the king's gate: let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken. Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour” (Est. 6:10-11).

You almost have to wonder how enthusiastic Haman is at this time. This would actually end up being a light thing compared to what is about to happen to Haman. A wounded ego is going to be the least of his worries.

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