Esther 3:9 - Homiletics

The price of blood.

Never was a more nefarious bargain proposed than this. That Haman not only plotted to destroy the Jews, but even offered to buy their lives, this is indeed a proof of the cruelty and baseness of his nature.

I. CRUELTY APPEALS TO AVARICE . Favourites always amass money; often by the most unscrupulous means. Tyrants always want money to spend on their pleasures and their ostentation. Haman offers to Ahasuerus a large sum to secure his assent to the destruction of the Jews.

II. A MEAN PRICE IS OFFERED FOR A NATION 'S DESTRUCTION . The blood of one man were purchased cheaply at such a price; what shall we say of the purchase of a nation?

III. We are reminded of THE PRICE WHICH WAS PAID TO THE BETRAYER OF THE SON OF MAN . "The price of him that was valued" was thirty pieces of silver. Fitly was the money employed to buy "the field of blood."

IV. CONTRAST THE PRICE OF DESTRUCTION WITH THE PRICE OF SALVATION . When Christ purchased his people he paid a ransom the preciousness of which is not to be computed in terms of earthly treasure. "Ye were redeemed not with corruptible things, as silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ."