Esther 3:1

Ahasuerus promoted Haman, the Agagite (or, the Amalekite) "after these things" (Esther 3:1). So the sworn enemy of the Jew gained a high position with huge potential for harm. But he did not gain it until the groundwork for defeating his evil plans was already laid.

Now let us take account of Haman's origin and character. He was the son of Hammedatha the Agagite (v. 1). Agag was the title of the kings of Amalek, probably a general title, like the title Pharaoh for the king of Egypt. So Haman came from this royal race. Amalek, Haman's people, descended from Esau, through Eliphaz.

What makes Haman's rise to the highest place next to the throne so surprising is that we have had no trace of him at all before. The record has already named many royal advisers and palace officials. But now a stranger to the ruling races steps forward — no Mede, no Persian — into a seat above all the princes who were with the king... But the man in the highest and most influential position is not just an Amalekite. He is "the Agagite," the man Mordecai refused to honour. The king had commanded it for him; but Mordecai did not bow. Had not Jehovah put it in writing that He would completely blot out the memory of Amalek from under the heavens?

The Jew's enemy is brought into high and honourable position, and seated in the very place that lets him satisfy all his hatred. An Amalekite sits next in dignity and rule to the king. Above all the princes of the nation, Haman the Agagite is preferred; why, we are not told. No public virtue or service of his is recorded. Apparently it is simply the royal pleasure that has done it.

Amalek is, in a word, the Enemy — the image of Satan, the great Enemy. He opposes God's purposes of grace toward His people. When the people had taken possession of the land, he tried to destroy them little by little. David finally conquered him, yet he still did not consider the struggle finished. Now the people are captives, brought by their unfaithfulness to the lowest humiliation. So he stirs up Haman the Agagite to wipe out the weak remnant of this people. And let us not forget his hidden aim: to take Israel away from Christ, the king according to the purposes and promises of God.

This man's name is worth tracing: it means "A magnificent one." What interests us most is that he was a descendant of Agag, the king of Amalek (1 Sam. 15:8), who descended from Esau, Jacob's brother and enemy. Amalek is always the bitter enemy of Israel. His final overthrow will come with the second coming of Christ... This Haman, the Amalekite, is later called "the Jews' enemy" (verse 10). He foreshadows that final enemy who rises to trouble Israel and tries to exterminate them before the King of Israel appears.

Haman's greatness was allowed to flourish and ripen, so that he might fall in the hour of his highest pride and daring.