The Medio-Persian Empire, the second of the worldwide empires containing one hundred and twenty-seven provinces extended from India (meaning land by the Indus / Sindu/ Indu river) unto Ethiopia (Northern Africa) and covered almost the whole of the middle east during the reign of Ahasuerus (Xerxes). He sat on his throne at Shushan (modern-day Sus). In the third year of his reign, he gathered all nobles and princes of his empire for a six-month-long feast, so they could come, admire and appreciate the riches of his kingdom and honour of his excellency. By the end of this already extravagant feast, the Emperor made another feast for all the people of his palace for seven days. Apart from the splendour of his empire, the Emperor also wanted to show everyone the beauty of his queen Vashti. But she refused to come because the audience was already in an inebriated condition and probably because she hated to be presented as an exhibit. (She had self-esteem and she had a will to exercise, too).

The Emperor, as per the advice of his wise men, removed Vashti from her royal position immediately. A new Queen would be selected from among all the beautiful young virgins of the Empire.

Mordecai, a Benjaminite, had been carried away from Jerusalem with other Jews (belonging to the kingdom of Judah) and Jeconiah their king by Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon. – Esth 2:6.

Haman, an Agagite, who had gained the trust of the Emperor was promoted as the Chief Vizier and as per the royal command, everyone in the Empire was to bow to Haman and reverence him. Mordecai refused to bow to Haman as his Jewish religion prohibited him from prostrating before anybody than God. A believing Jew!
Haman was enraged by Mordecai’s public defiance and vowed to wipe out the entire Jewish population from the face of the earth (like Hitler?). The seed of the Serpent! What better chance for Satan to foil the plan of God and stop His purpose from being accomplished? No Jew would survive to bring forth the Seed of the woman, the Devil’s nightmare and Destroyer.

God had His person in Hadassah. Hadassah was the niece of Mordecai and she was one of the contestants for the queenship of the Medio-Persian empire. By God’s providence, Hadassah became Queen Esther. Soon afterwards, Mordecai saved Emperor Ahasuerus from a treacherous murder, Esther bringing word from her uncle about the treason.

Haman’s vengeful attitude toward one person turned to a genocidal rage against the whole populace. He sought the permission of the Emperor to execute the entire Jewish race in the Empire by portraying them as a people who refused to keep the King’s laws. With the Emperor’s seal, letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey. – Esth 3:13.

Sushan was perplexed. Mordecai tore off his clothes, put on sackcloth, went into the city and cried with a loud and bitter cry. Hearing about her uncle’s cry, Esther sought to know the reason and sent him clothing. Mordecai sent Esther details about the pending execution of her entire race and asked her to plead for her people. Esther was afraid of death if she approached the king unsolicited, but Mordecai’s reply was plain and clear: “Do not think to yourself that in the king's palace, you will escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this. – Esth 4:13, 14. (ESV 2011). Esther realised her responsibility and dared to enter the king’s presence, risking her own life. She said, “If I perish, I perish”. – Esth 4:13. She asked her people to pray and fast for her and her law-defying act. She would enter the inner court of the Emperor on the third day of fasting.

Esther received favour in the sight of Emperor Ahasuerus. He promised to give her her request – even if it was half his kingdom. To his surprise, all she requested was his presence at her place for a feast she would prepare that day – and Haman was to accompany the Emperor. The Emperor offered to fulfil Esther’s request a second time, while at the feast but, she requested him (and Haman) to come again the morrow for another dinner. Haman left overjoyed, but his joy was short-lived. Mordecai was at the gate and was not bowing to him – again. While Haman was blowing his trumpet among his family about the unique honour he received at the Queen’s place, he also expressed his disappointment at the way Mordecai was publicly insulting him. His household advised him to make gallows of fifty-cubit height to hang Mordecai the next morning. Haman did.

That night the Emperor’s sleep was severely disturbed and so, he ordered the book of memorable deeds to be read before him. One such deed that was recorded but had gone unrewarded was the noble deed of Mordecai saving the Emperor from death at the hands of his own men. Haman was already in the court to seek the king’s permission to hang Mordecai on the gallows. The king called Haman in and asked him about the manner in which the king should honour a person he wishes to reward. Haman thought for a moment: “Who else than me would the king honour?”. So, Haman came up with a wish-list that contained all that his heart desired – only the best, next to an Emperor. The king decreed that every one of these honours must be done to Mordecai the very next day and the responsibility of executing this was to be diligently carried out by Haman! “Leave out nothing that you had mentioned”, commanded the King.

What a turn of events!

And there is more to His-story!

The king and Haman turned out for the feast the second time and the king offered to give her even half the kingdom, again. Queen Ether capitalised on the opportunity and brought the king up-to-speed about the impending execution of her and her people kingdom-wide. The furious king asked. “Who is he, and where is he, who has dared to do this?” Esther answered, “A foe and an enemy! This wicked Haman”. – Esth 7:5, 6.
The King ordered the execution of Haman the same day in the very gallows Haman had prepared for Mordecai!

The Old Serpent licking dust, again! What Satan had planned for the Jews which included the believing generation, turned around to hit him so hard that Satan hides in shame when the original Purim story is retold every year as a memorable event which is celebrated by religious Jews worldwide even today. In fact, the believing line of Abraham including the new-testament believers and the Church are the ones who should celebrate this as a day of triumph of truth over treason.

God’s hand prevailed. His plan was on. His purpose was being realized unhindered.