(1) v.1 Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite
(ZIBBC OT) Ancient interpreters universally understood the text to mean that Haman was a member of the race of Agag, or the Amalekites. The Amalekites were a nomadic people descended from Esau (Gen. 36:12, 16)... they clashed with Israel during the Exodus (Ex. 17:8–13; Deut. 25:17–18).
(2) v.2 However, Mordecai did not bow, nor did he pay him homage.
(NET) The reason for Mordecai’s refusal to bow before Haman is not clearly stated here. Certainly the Jews did not refuse to bow as a matter of principle, as though such an action somehow violated the second command of the Decalogue. Many biblical texts bear witness to their practice of falling prostrate before people of power and influence (e.g., 1 Sam 24:8; 2 Sam 14:4; 1 Kgs 1:16). Perhaps the issue here was that Haman was a descendant of the Amalekites, a people who had attacked Israel in an earlier age (see Exod 17:8–16; 1 Sam 15:17–20; Deut 25:17–19).
(3) 3:4 And after they had spoken to him day after day without his paying any attention to them, they informed Haman to see whether this attitude on Mordecai’s part would be permitted. Furthermore, he had disclosed to them that he was a Jew.
(EBC)... he refused to bow before the hereditary enemy of Israel. The officials informed Haman of Mordecai’s insolence to see whether it would be “tolerated” (Heb., “to see whether the words of Mordecai would stand”).
Summary: Because of the heritage of Haman, Mordecai, as a Jew, was not willing to bow to him. He disclosed his identity which he was so anxious to keep as a secret (NET) This disclosure of Jewish identity is a reversal of the practice mentioned in 2:10, 20.
His worry was valid, because once Haman learned about Mordecai' action he tried to kill the whole race of Jewsish. I think that was the key point of the whole book of Esther. It was about the crisis of the whole race of Jewish.
Reflection: Perhaps it was due to the anti-Semitic influnence Haman decided not just to get rid of Mordecai, but his whole race. Are we living in a similar situation as a Christian? Be careful. What we have done not just affects ourselves but what other people think about Christians.
God allowed Jews to go through this crisis and later on we see how God protected them. We trust that whatever we go through today is also allowed by God. He will certainly protect us.
Audrey
Comments