Trusting God When Hatred Surrounds You - Esther 3
Pastor Dan Walker, PhD, MDiv
Introduction
My message is entitled “Trusting God When Hatred Surrounds You.”
What is hatred? Hatred is an intense feeling of strong dislike, hostility, or animosity toward someone. It often involves an emotional aversion or rejection that can lead to harmful thoughts or actions.
We might think or hope that no one hates us, but let’s see what Jesus had to say about hatred.
John 15:18-19 (ESV): "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you."
"The world" refers to the system of beliefs, values, and behaviors held by unbelievers that are opposed to God and His ways. As believers, as children of God, we are surrounded by the hatred of those who do not believe. God and His children love us, but Satan and his followers hate us. That’s why we need to trust God when hatred surrounds us.
Think for a minute about a mighty oak tree that stands firm during a fierce windstorm. While the winds howl, smaller, shallow-rooted trees are easily uprooted, but the oak with its deep roots remains standing. The oak’s strength lies in its foundation, its deep roots, hidden below the surface.
Jeremiah 17:7-8 (ESV): "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit."
Just as the oak draws its strength from the hidden streams below, so too do we, as God’s people, find our strength by being rooted in Him.
Psalm 1:3 (ESV): "He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers."
Despite life’s storms—whether hatred, injustice, or opposition—God promises to sustain those who trust in Him. The story of Esther 3 vividly illustrates this truth. Though hatred and opposition swirled around them, threatening their very existence, Esther, Mordecai, and the Jewish people were not abandoned by God. Their faith was deeply rooted in His promises, even when His hand seemed unseen.
As we open to Esther 3, we will see how to trust God when hatred surrounds us. Like the oak tree standing against the storm, we are called to stand firm, knowing our strength comes not from ourselves but from being rooted in the steadfast love and sovereignty of our God.
Recognize the Reality of Evil
Esther 3:1-2 (ESV): "After these things King Ahasuerus promoted Haman the Agagite ... and advanced him and set his throne above all the officials who were with him. And all the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman, for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai did not bow down or pay homage."
The text introduces Haman as an Agagite, a detail that might seem insignificant at first glance but carries profound historical and spiritual weight. Haman’s lineage ties him to King Agag of the Amalekites, a people known for their relentless hostility toward God’s people. This ancient enmity began when the Amalekites attacked Israel in the wilderness, leading to God’s promise to blot out their memory.
Despite King Saul, a fellow Benjamite like Mordecai, being tasked with their destruction, his disobedience allowed Agag’s line to persist. Haman’s rise as an Agagite now represents a continuation of this long-standing opposition to God’s covenant people. His hatred of Mordecai and the Jews is a stark reminder of the spiritual battle that rages across generations. Yet, even in the face of such ancient hostility, God’s sovereign plan to protect His people remains unshaken. Mordecai recognized Haman’s evil and chose not to bow down and worship him, bowing only to God.
Esther 3:3-4 (ESV): "Then the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate said to Mordecai, 'Why do you transgress the king’s command?' And when they spoke to him day after day and he would not listen to them, they told Haman, in order to see whether Mordecai’s words would stand, for he had told them that he was a Jew."
Every day, Haman would pass the king’s gate where Mordecai was seated. Everyone would bow down according to the king’s command, except Mordecai. The other servants of the king tried to warn Mordecai to bow down, but he refused. So, they told Haman about Mordecai’s refusal to bow down to him as a Jew.
Esther 3:5-6 (ESV): "And when Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow down or pay homage to him, Haman was filled with fury. But he disdained to lay hands on Mordecai alone. So, as they had made known to him the people of Mordecai, Haman sought to destroy all the Jews, the people of Mordecai, throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus."
This decision by Mordecai infuriated Haman, who was not content just to kill Mordecai. Haman decided to destroy all of the Jewish people throughout the entire Persian empire. The ancient enemy of Israel, Amalek, empowered by demonic forces, was once again seeking to destroy Israel. That same demonic power is influencing nations today to seek the destruction of Israel. Haman’s fury over Mordecai’s refusal to bow revealed the destructive nature of pride and prejudice. Haman expanded his hatred to include all Jews, illustrating how unchecked emotions and evil can lead to devastating actions.
Application
The reality of evil is unavoidable in a fallen world. It is often fueled by pride, fear, and a rejection of God. Like Haman, people or systems can misuse power and cause harm to others in devastating ways. For believers, recognizing the presence of evil is not a call to despair, but to vigilance. We must guard our own hearts against pride, prejudice, and bitterness, ensuring that these seeds of sin do not grow into destructive actions.
Mordecai’s example reminds us of the importance of standing firm in our faith, even when the pressures around us to conform are great. Facing hatred with faith requires prayer, reliance on Scripture, and the courage to do what is right, even in the face of opposition.
Understand God’s Sovereignty Amid Injustice
Esther 3:7 (ESV): "In the first month, which is the month of Nisan, in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, they cast Pur (that is, they cast lots) before Haman day after day; and they cast it month after month till the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar."
The casting of lots was a pagan divination practice to determine the best month to kill all the Jews. After 12 months of casting lots, the omens finally determined the month of Adar. This act might appear to be a random act of chance, but God’s sovereignty governed even this moment. Although Haman believed in divination, God was orchestrating the timeline to align with His plan for the eventual deliverance of the Jewish people. This verse is a reminder that even in times of uncertainty, God’s hand is never absent.
Esther 3:8-9 (ESV): "Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, 'There is a certain people scattered … in all the provinces of your kingdom. Their laws are different from those of every other people, and they do not keep the king’s laws… If it please the king, let it be decreed that they be destroyed, and I will pay 10,000 talents of silver … into the king’s treasuries.'"
Haman’s approach to the king was full of deception and manipulation. He portrayed the Jewish people unfairly as disloyal troublemakers. To further persuade the king, he offered 10,000 talents of silver—an amount equivalent to over half of the Persian empire’s annual income—as a bribe. This highlights how evil often presents itself with deceptive intentions.
Esther 3:10-11 (ESV): "So the king took his signet ring from his hand and gave it to Haman the Agagite, … the enemy of the Jews. And the king said to Haman, 'The money is given to you, the people also, to do with them as it seems good to you.'"
Without questioning Haman’s motives or the truth of his words, the king granted him the authority to proceed with his genocidal plan. The king’s lack of discernment made him complicit in Haman’s scheme. This shows the importance of righteous leadership and accountability in positions of power.
Application
In times of injustice, it is easy to feel as though God is distant or that evil has the upper hand. However, this passage reminds us that God is sovereign, even when human actions seem unjust and beyond our understanding. When facing hatred or injustice, we must trust in God’s perfect timing and providence. As believers, we are called to stand firm in our faith and trust in God’s ultimate justice. This requires patience, prayer, and faith in His plan, even when immediate deliverance is not visible.
We are also challenged to recognize and confront injustice in our own lives and communities. Just as Haman manipulated the king for evil purposes, we must be vigilant in discerning truth and opposing deceit. Righteousness requires not only personal integrity but also a commitment to speak up for what is right and just.
Respond Faithfully in the Face of Hatred
Esther 3:12 (ESV): "Then the king’s scribes were summoned on the thirteenth day of the first month, and an edict, according to all that Haman commanded, was written to the king’s … officials of all the peoples, to every province … in its own language. It was written in the name of King Ahasuerus and sealed with the king’s signet ring."
On the eve of the Jewish Passover, Haman released an edict of death for every Jew. The Passover celebrates God’s deliverance of the Israelites in Egypt from the death angel. The decree was thorough, written to every province and in every language, ensuring its reach across the vast Persian Empire. The seal of the king’s ring gave the decree the highest authority, making it irreversible. This verse demonstrates the urgency and scope of evil when it is given unchecked power.
Esther 3:13 (ESV): "Letters were sent by couriers to all the king’s provinces with instruction to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all Jews, young and old, women and children, in one day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, and to plunder their goods."
The instructions in the decree reveal the depth of Haman’s hatred and evil. Not only were all Jews to be killed, but their possessions were to be plundered. No one would be spared. For the Jewish people, the situation seemed utterly hopeless.
Esther 3:14-15 (ESV): "A copy of the document was to be issued as a decree in every province by proclamation to all the peoples to be ready for that day. The couriers went out hurriedly by order of the king, and the decree was issued in Susa the citadel. And the king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was thrown into confusion."
The execution of the decree was set for eleven months in the future, giving every province time to prepare for the day of destruction. Millions of Jews would be slaughtered, essentially wiping out the entire Jewish race. Meanwhile, Haman and the king relaxed with drinks, showing their indifference to the suffering they had caused. In contrast, the city of Susa was thrown into confusion, as many feared the implications of this decree.
This passage highlights the contrasting attitudes between the oppressors and those struggling to comprehend the looming injustice and slaughter.
Application
When faced with hatred or injustice, the temptation is to react in fear, despair, or anger. However, God calls His people to respond with faith and trust in His sovereignty. The Jews, though in a seemingly impossible situation, were not abandoned by God. Even in the midst of this decree, God was working behind the scenes to bring about their deliverance.
This passage challenges us to remember that our response to hatred should reflect our faith in God. First, we must resist the urge to fight hatred with hatred, instead choosing to act with integrity and love. Second, we must remember that God’s justice is perfect and that no evil act escapes His notice. Third, we are reminded to trust God even when His deliverance is not immediately apparent. We must believe that He is always at work for the good of His people. As believers, our role is to respond by seeking God in prayer, holding fast to His promises, and being a light in dark times.
In moments of persecution, we must cling to the hope that God’s plans are greater than any human scheme, and His justice will ultimately prevail.
Conclusion
As we reflect on Esther 3, we see a powerful reminder that hatred and injustice may rage like a storm, but God’s people are called to stand firm. Like the mighty oak tree weathering fierce winds, our ability to endure comes from being deeply anchored in God’s promises.
When hatred surrounded Mordecai and the Jewish people, the situation seemed hopeless. Yet, God was not absent. He was orchestrating events behind the scenes, ensuring His ultimate plan for deliverance would prevail. The same God who sustained them is at work in our lives today. He sees every storm, every injustice, and every moment of fear. And just as He strengthened His people then, He strengthens us now.
No matter what storms you face, remember this: the winds may shake you, but they cannot uproot you when you are anchored in God. Trust Him when hatred surrounds you, knowing that His justice will ultimately prevail, His grace is sufficient, and His strength will carry you through. Stand firm in your faith, just as Mordecai did. Trust that the God who worked for His people in Esther’s time is still working in your life today.
