Belligerent fabulist ∙

Belligerent fabulist ∙

“Come,” they say, “let us wipe out Israel as a nation. We will destroy the very memory of its existence.” – Psalms 83:4

Haman, son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews, had plotted to crush and destroy them. – Esther 9:24

Esther 3:1-11

 1 King Xerxes promoted Haman, son of Hammedatha the Agagite, over all the other nobles, making him the most powerful official in the empire.

 2 All the king’s officials would bow down before Haman to show him respect whenever he passed by, for so the king had commanded. But Mordecai refused to bow down or show him respect.

 3 Then, the palace officials at the king’s gate asked Mordecai, “Why are you disobeying the king’s command?”

 4 They spoke to him day after day, but still he refused to comply with the order. So they spoke to Haman about this to see if he would tolerate Mordecai’s conduct, since Mordecai had told them he was a Jew.

 5 When Haman saw that Mordecai would not bow down or show him respect, he was filled with rage.

 6 He had learned of Mordecai’s nationality, so he decided it was not enough to lay hands on Mordecai alone. Instead, he looked for a way to destroy all the Jews throughout the entire empire of Xerxes.

 8 Then Haman approached King Xerxes and said, “There is a certain race of people scattered through all the provinces of your empire who keep themselves separate from everyone else. Their laws are different from those of any other people, and they refuse to obey the laws of the king. So it is not in the king’s interest to let them live.

 9 If it please the king, issue a decree that they be destroyed, and I will give 10,000 large sacks of silver to the government administrators to be deposited in the royal treasury.”

 10 The king agreed, confirming his decision by removing his signet ring from his finger and giving it to Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews.

 11 The king said, “The money and the people are both yours to do with as you see fit.”

Adverse Consequences of Falsehoods

Throughout history, falsehoods have caused significant harm, ranging from emotional pain to widespread destruction and death. A stark example of this occurred in recent times with Alex Jones and his baseless conspiracy theories about the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.

Jones called the shooting “completely false” and accused grieving parents of being “crisis actors,” or individuals posing as victims of a tragic event to sway public opinion. He claimed that it was “staged” by the government so they could “go after our guns” and “start a civil war.”

These inflammatory, fabricated claims found an audience among his followers on his radio show “Infowars.” Meanwhile, the victims’ families were left to endure unimaginable pain. A lawsuit was brought by Scarlett Lewis and Neil Heslin, the parents of slain Jesse Lewis, for damages for their pain and suffering. While it made its way through the court, the parents of 6-year-old victim Jesse Lewis endured years of harassment and death threats. Neil Heslin, Lewis’s father, described it as a “living hell.”

The weight of Jones’ actions reached a pivotal moment in August 2022, when a jury in Waterbury, Connecticut, found him guilty of defamation. The court exposed his lies for what they were, offering a glimpse of truth and justice amid the harm he caused.

Alex Jones was dubbed a belligerent fabulist. A belligerent fabulist makes up stories and fables to influence and poison the minds of others. Finally, his false fable regarding Sandy Hook was exposed for the vile lie it was for all to see. During the trial, Jones apologized and said the 2012 shooting at the school was “100 percent real.”

Alex Jones’ story is a sobering reminder of the power of falsehoods and the devastating ripple effects they can have.

Haman’s Hatred and Pride

In the Scriptures, the words and deeds of many belligerent fabulists are chronicled. The target is most frequently the Jewish people. This is clearly seen in the book of Esther through the attitude and actions of Haman. He had received a mild “insult” from Mordecai, who refused to bow down before him. He became enraged and sought revenge. He had special gallows built to hang Mordecai. However, destroying Mordecai would not be enough. Haman was so furious; he was determined to eliminate all of the Jewish people in the Persian Empire.

The Scriptures provide timeless examples of similar destructive behavior fueled by falsehood, pride, and hatred. The story of Haman from the book of Esther captures this vividly. Haman, a powerful official under King Xerxes, was enraged when Mordecai, a Jew, who refused to bow to him. His pride blinded him, and the simple grievance spiraled into a genocidal plot against all Jewish people in the Empire.

Esther 3:5-6 reveals his hatred and ambition clearly: “When Haman saw that Mordecai would not bow down or show him respect, he was filled with rage. He had learned of Mordecai’s nationality, so he decided it was not enough to lay hands on Mordecai alone. Instead, he looked for a way to destroy all the Jews throughout the entire empire of Xerxes.”

In due time, after due diligence, he hatched a plot to annihilate all the Jews throughout Persia. For him, it would be a win-win situation. His enemies would be destroyed, and he would become even wealthier and more powerful.

He solicited the king’s approval by painting the Jewish people as lawbreakers, offering an enormous bribe to fund his evil intentions. Esther 3:8-9 states, “Then Haman approached King Xerxes and said, ‘There is a certain race of people scattered through all the provinces of your empire who keep themselves separate from everyone else. Their laws are different from those of any other people, and they refuse to obey the laws of the king. So it is not in the king’s interest to let them live. If it please the king, issue a decree that they be destroyed, and I will give 10,000 large sacks of silver to the government administrators to be deposited in the royal treasury.’”

Haman’s actions illustrate how unchecked pride and falsehood can lead to sinister and far-reaching consequences.

Touching the Apple of God’s Eye

Haman’s folly overlooked one “small” detail. He failed to recognize God’s unique relationship with His chosen people. Israel has always held a special place in God’s heart, described as “the apple of His eye.” Deuteronomy 32:10 highlights this beautifully, saying, “He encircled him, cared for him, and kept him as the apple of his eye.”

The Hebrew term bavah, translated as “apple,” refers to the “pupil of the eye, representing something extraordinarily vulnerable and valuable.” When the Father refers to Judah as the “apple of His eye,” he considers her of “immeasurable value.” The NLT translates the phrase as “My most precious possession.”

Zechariah 2:8 echoes this sentiment, declaring, “For he who touches you touches the apple of His eye.” Here, bavah “envisions Israel as under God’s protective care” (BKC). The expression means, “He who harms you harms what is precious to God” (UBS). Those who attempt to harm God’s people provoke His protective and righteous response.

Only fools would attempt to harm that which is precious to the heart of God.

Haman ultimately faced the consequences of his actions. The gallows he constructed for Mordecai became the means of his own execution (Esther 7). His plans to wipe out the Jews were foiled by Esther’s bravery and God’s guiding hand. This outcome serves as a potent reminder that God is the ultimate defender of His promises and truth.

Falsehoods Long Ago and Today

The parallels between Alex Jones’ reckless dissemination of lies and Haman’s prideful manipulation of power are striking. Both reveal how falsehood, when left unchecked, can sow destruction, heartbreak, and even death.

Jones’ confessions during his trial and the jury’s verdict exposed his lies, much like Haman’s downfall exposed the emptiness of his hatred-fueled ambitions. These stories challenge us to stand firm in upholding the truth, regardless of the immediate cost.

REFLECT & PRAY

The Scriptures remind us that what matters most to God is often what the world overlooks. The imagery of Israel as the “apple of His eye” reveals the depths of His love and protection for what is precious to Him. God’s sovereignty ensures that justice and truth ultimately prevail.

Father, thank You for guarding and cherishing what is dear to You. Help us to uphold truth and resist falsehood, trusting in Your justice and care.

INSIGHT

God’s Unchanging Covenant with Israel

The Father has made an unequivocal and unconditional covenant with the nation of Israel, assuring them of His protection and unwavering care. He remains faithful to His word, standing by them and ensuring their place in His plan, irrespective of the challenges they encounter.

Genesis 12:2-3 serves as the foundation of this divine promise: “I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.”

For over 4,000 years, this covenant has remained steadfast. History is filled with examples of figures like Haman, who remind us of God’s unwavering resolve. From Pharaoh to Haman, and from oppressive empires to contemporary anti-Semitism, these stories lead to a consistent conclusion: those who curse Israel place themselves under God’s curse. At the same time, those who bless Israel receive God’s abundant blessings.

A Covenant Based on God’s Faithfulness

Imperfections are evident in Israel’s history in the Old Testament. They are not portrayed as flawless or blameless; their struggles, shortcomings, and wavering faith are laid bare. Yet, God’s covenantal relationship with them does not hinge on their actions or merit. It is firmly grounded in His sovereign choice and steadfast, unchanging love.

Deuteronomy 7 captures this beautifully. God regards Israel as His “special treasure,” not because of their size or strength, but because of His love and faithfulness to the oath He swore to their ancestors. Deuteronomy 7:6-8 proclaims, “The LORD your God has chosen you to be his own special treasure . . . it was simply that the LORD loves you and he was keeping the oath he had sworn to your ancestors.”

This love is personal and eternal, as emphasized in Isaiah 49:16, where God declares, “See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands.”

What a powerful image of intimacy and permanence. This covenant is not a fleeting arrangement but one figuratively chiseled on the heart of God.

The Eternal Nature of God’s Promises

The question arises: could God ever abandon Israel? Could He disassociate Himself from His chosen people and allow their downfall? The answer, as revealed in Scripture, is a resounding “No.”

Jeremiah 31:36 addresses this question directly. With poetic hyperbole, God underscores the impossible nature of such an event. “I am as likely to reject my people Israel as I am to abolish the laws of nature!”

The sun lighting the day, the moon guiding the night, the uncharted boundaries of the heavens, and the roaring of the seas all stand as witnesses to the permanence of God’s covenant. They would need to disappear before He would even consider casting away His people.

Jeremiah 31:37 adds, “Just as the heavens cannot be measured and the foundations of the earth cannot be explored, so I will not consider casting them away for the evil they have done. I, the LORD, have spoken!”

God’s promise stands as an impenetrable fortress, impervious to the relentless march of time and the failures of human nature. His faithfulness is a steadfast, immovable anchor that remains unshaken regardless of the tumultuous storms of life. Despite human failures, His love and promises remain unwavering. The same God who keeps His promises to Israel extends His faithfulness to all who trust in Him.

Haman’s rise and fall exemplify the futility of opposing God’s plans. Although he built gallows for Mordecai, it was Haman who met his end on them (Esther 7). His attempts to destroy a nation became a platform for demonstrating the Father’s faithfulness.

This contrast reminds us of God’s sovereignty, ensuring that falsehood and violence against His people will not prevail. It serves as a caution to those consumed by pride and hatred.

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© Dr. H 2025