Why Is Purim Named for Haman's Lots?

 

Purim means lots. The holiday is named for the lots which Haman drew when choosing the date upon which to implement his plan for annihilating the Jews.

The choice of name though seems strange.
The lots that Haman drew are but a trivial and insignificant detail in the story. There doesn't seem to be anything consequential about them. The story would remain very much the same even had Haman picked a date through some other means. Why then is the holiday named Purim and why the fuss over Haman's lots?

I would like to suggest the following very simple and rational explanation.

The lots, more than anything, demonstrate the hubris of Haman and the extreme position of dominance he was in.

When planning a war, any commander would give much thought to choosing the best time for attack. They would no doubt be strategic about figuring out when their enemy would be at their weakest and most vulnerable.
One would've expected the same of Haman. Surely he would choose his date wisely, and not leave it to chance.

But this was precisely what Haman wanted to demonstrate. His lots were a showing of confidence, arrogance and total dominance. It was a form of taunting. He was essentially telling the world that he was so powerful, that he could resort to drawing lots when choosing when to attack the Jews.
The lots were his way of utterly humiliating and demoralizing the Jews. He was essentially telling them how weak, vulnerable and helpless they were. He was taunting them by showing off how he so "owned them", that he could even afford to randomly decide when to attack them and had no need for any strategic planning.

The lots therefore became the symbol of Haman's strength and the truly pitiful position the Jews were in.
This of course changes how we perceive the miracle and salvation of Purim.

By understanding the truly helpless and pitiful position the Jews were in (as demonstrated by the lots), we come to properly understand and appreciate the miracle. G-d literally turned everything upside down.
We went from being so utterly helpless and weak to total victory and dominance.

Perhaps this is why the holiday was named Purim. It is specifically the lots, as the symbol of Haman's strength, that truly convey the wonderful and miraculous nature of our Purim comeback.