Pride and the Lot

King Ahasuerus advanced Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite and set his seat above all the princes. Every servant at the king's gate bowed to him, as the king had commanded. But Mordecai did not bow down or pay him homage. When the servants asked why he transgressed the king's commandment, Mordecai had told them that he was a Jew.

Haman was full of wrath. He scorned to lay hands on Mordecai alone and sought instead to destroy all the Jews throughout the whole kingdom. Pur, that is, the lot, was cast before Haman from day to day and month to month. It fell on the twelfth month, Adar. Haman then described the Jews to the king as a people scattered abroad whose laws differ from all other peoples. He offered ten thousand talents of silver for the king's treasuries.

The king handed over his signet ring and gave Haman authority over the people. Letters were sealed and sent by couriers into every province, naming the thirteenth day of Adar as the day of destruction. Then the king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was perplexed. The contrast is striking: rulers at ease while ordinary people tremble. Proverbs 16:33 says the lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from Yahweh. Haman trusted chance, but Christians believe the Lord ruled over the outcome.