Here we are introduced to the villain of the book, Haman. When the Jews red the book of Esther at the Feast of Purim in late winter, whenever Haman s name is mentioned everyone in the congregation boos, stomps their feet, or uses noisemakers called groggers to blot out the name of Haman. He is the bad guy. Chapter three is a chapter that looks into the human soul, both of Haman and Mordecai, and finds hatred. This is a very timely book.
Hatred is in the world today.
Hate groups are flourishing in many nations, and the internet is helping them. Timothy McVeigh the Oklahoma City bomber has been in the news again as he asks to be executed for his crimes. It appears that even this request to be executed is motivated by hate, to make himself a martyr and advance the cause. In Esther 3 we see two men who hate each other. They do not even know each other but they hate each other because of their ethnic background.