Compare Haman's actions in Esther 3:9 with other biblical examples of corruption. Haman’s Corrupt Proposal (Esther 3:9) “If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will give ten thousand talents of silver to the officials for deposit in the royal treasury.” • Haman weaponizes money—ten thousand talents of silver—to purchase royal approval for genocide. • His scheme fuses greed, bribery, ethnic hatred, and abuse of authority. • The sum offered equaled roughly two-thirds of the annual Persian tax revenue; the bribe was colossal, matching the magnitude of his evil intent. Corruption Echoed Elsewhere in Scripture 1. Judas Iscariot—Selling the Innocent (Matthew 26:14-16) “What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you? … they set out for him thirty pieces of silver.” • Like Haman, Judas trades human life for silver. • Both plot in secret, both target God’s covenant people, and both meet swift divine judgment. 2. Ahab and Jezebel—Seizing Naboth’s Vineyard (1 Kings 21:1-16) • Jezebel forges letters under the king’s seal, arranges false witnesses, and secures Naboth’s execution to gratify Ahab’s covetousness. • Parallel with Haman: manipulation of royal authority, false accusations, and lethal outcome. • God’s verdict through Elijah (vv. 19-24) mirrors the eventual reversal Haman experiences (Esther 7:9-10). 3. Samuel’s Sons—Justice for Sale (1 Samuel 8:3) “They turned aside after dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice.” • Corruption spreads when leaders crave gain over godliness. • Haman illustrates the same rot at an imperial level. 4. Gehazi—Profiteering from Grace (2 Kings 5:20-27) • Gehazi lies to Naaman, pockets silver and garments, and receives Naaman’s leprosy in return. • His swift punishment foreshadows Haman’s own downfall—ill-gotten wealth invites divine retribution. 5. Ananias and Sapphira—Deception in the Church (Acts 5:1-10) • They conceal part of a gift, seeking honor without honesty. • Peter exposes their lie; immediate death follows. • Like Haman, they miscalculate God’s omniscience and holiness. Common Threads in Every Case • Money or power becomes an idol, driving destructive choices. • Deception and manipulation are tactical tools. • Innocent lives or reputations are endangered. • God intervenes—sometimes swiftly, sometimes climactically—ensuring justice. • The corrupt plotters often fall by the very means they devised (Esther 7:10; Psalm 7:14-16). Biblical Warnings against Such Corruption • “You shall not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the righteous.” (Exodus 23:8) • “The wicked accept a bribe in secret to pervert the course of justice.” (Proverbs 17:23) • “Woe to those who decree unrighteous decrees.” (Isaiah 10:1) Takeaways for God’s People • Guard the heart from greed; material gain never justifies sin. • Remember that hidden plots are fully visible to the Lord (Hebrews 4:13). • Trust God’s sovereignty: He overturns the schemes of the wicked and preserves His people (Psalm 33:10-11; Esther 9:1). |
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