THE HAMAN SYNDROME

Haman became the victim of his own plot. He was swallowed up by his arrogance, anger, and hate, and by his vengeful quest. He felt slighted by Mordecai and would go to any length to teach the ‘Jewish nobody’ a bitter lesson, even to the extent of hanging him and exterminating the entire Jewish race throughout the Persian kingdom (Esther 3:8-9; 5:14), for not acknowledging his exalted position and for refusing to cringe and crouch before him (3:5). The conspiracy of Haman failed flatly as the table turned against him. God used Mordecai and Esther to thwart his evil plan. True to the premonition of his wife and advisers (Esther 6:13), Haman’s world came crashing down, like a pack of cards, right before those he had conspired against. 

Often times, we let our inordinate passions get the best of us. In our anger and pride, we plot against others. We seek their downfall. We are gratified, by the inclination to malign others, perhaps, because we have been hurt and our ego bruised. We must be cautious about how we choose to react in situations of aggravation. Watch it, when you are being sucked into that bitter path. Watch it, when you are motivated to get even, to conspire against another, to frustrate someone’s plan— who you can’t stand his or her guts. Watch it, when you have the tendency to slander and defame those you feel have not respected or recognized you enough, when you are riled up and bursting with animosity against someone who has wronged you; when you scheme to concoct mischief and put another at a disadvantage. Watch it, when you use your position of advantage over others, to work against them and walk over them. Watch it, because there are consequences— what sorrow awaits you who lie awake at night, thinking up evil plans. You rise at dawn and hurry to carry them out, simply because you have the power to do so (Micah 2:1).

Do not go in the way of Haman, who was blinded by his conceit, ego, arrogance, anger, and hate. God expressly warns: “Don't even think of doing evil to each other. Don't enjoy false testimony. I hate all these things, declares the LORD” (Zechariah 8:17, GW). Remember, we have a new commandment, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, all men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another” (John 13:34-35, NIV).