Consumed by the Seat (Part 2)

Scripture — Esther 3:1-6 (NRSV)

After these things King Ahasuerus promoted Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite and advanced him and set his seat above all the officials who were with him. And all the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate bowed down and did obeisance to Haman, for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai did not bow down or do obeisance. Then the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate said to Mordecai, “Why do you disobey the king’s command?” When they spoke to him day after day and he would not listen to them, they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai’s words would stand, for he had told them that he was a Jew. When Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow down or do obeisance to him, Haman was infuriated. But he thought it beneath him to kill only Mordecai. So, having been told who Mordecai’s people were, Haman plotted to destroy all the Jews, the people of Mordecai, throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus.

Devotion

Haman was consumed by his title, desire for reverence, irreverence for his neighbor (see yesterday’s devotion), or something else. What drives the decisions you make? We are reminded that Gospel-focused disciples are not tossed around and carried by every wind of doctrine (Eph. 4:14). Most people don’t attend a formal seminary. However, we are systematically given dogmas of “you deserve, “obey your thirst,” and so on. Leadership derives its doctrine and dogma from somewhere also. Haman’s leadership was frail. All it took was one person who said “nah,” and all the translations agree that he was not a little upset. He had fits of rage.

Haman’s rage – his desire for wrath – speaks to the intriguing frailty of leadership that can turn passive details into active retaliation. Haman received a message from loyal subjects that one person would not bow in obedience. He had all these other loyal subjects, but there was one who wouldn’t bow. One fruit he couldn’t reach to devour; hauntings of the fall. He already had what he didn’t deserve, but he still couldn’t get enough of it. And disdain needs a power source to keep it ablaze. For some leaders, it’s differing opinions, backgrounds, skill sets, or educational credentials. Haman chose religious and cultural affiliation.

Haman’s rage led him to conclude that the only response to a lack of bowing was that Mordecai had to die. This government leader’s only conclusion about a person’s disagreement was that that person deserved death. It would seem reasonable for Haman to at least discuss their differences. Or even perhaps simply throw Mordecai into prison. Empathy slows down knee-jerk conclusions, but wrath and fury are quick to destroy.

Finally, Haman’s rage reveals his flawed perspective about his status. He was an official in the government, which included 127 provinces. He was a prominent leader over people who were individually beneath him. The title defined the relationship. The people he ruled over didn’t  matter individually until one person said, “nah.” And the only justified response he saw to one person’s defiance is to take the defiant one—and anyone who is like Mordecai—out.

The account of Haman in Esther 3 is another story of life begging for better. The Old Testament prophets were good, but we need a better prophet. The priests were good, but a better one is needed. The kings were not the best; we need a better king. Haman is threatened outside the gate, and rage consumes him. But a better leader is coming. When the entire earth refused to bow, Jesus didn’t take his equality with the Father as something he had to steal (Phil. 2:1-5). Instead, as the servant leader, he was pushed outside the gate, taking God’s rage so that God’s love could consume us.

Find all Life for Leaders devotions here. Explore what the Bible has to say about work at the unique website of our partners, the Theology of Work Project. Reflection on today’s Life for Leaders theme can be found here: Taking Risks at Work (Esther 3:5-15, Esther 4:5-16).