Esther 6
BBCEsther 6:1
B. Haman’s Humiliation and Mordecai’s Honor (Chap. 6)6:1-3 While Haman was sleeping, God kept Ahasuerus awake to thwart the evil scheme. In trying to make the best of his insomnia, the king had the chronicles of his reign read to him. By divine “coincidence” the portion that was read contained the account of the attempt on his life which had been foiled by Mordecai. Upon inquiry it was learned that nothing had ever been done to reward him for this service. It is good to notice what J. G. Bellett calls . . . the wonderful interweaving of circumstances which we get in this history. There is plot and underplot, “wheels within wheels,” circumstances hanging upon circumstances, all formed together to work out the wonderful plans of God. The Lord is in perfect control. 6:4-11 Probably it was in the morning that Haman came to suggest that the king hang Mordecai. Strangely enough, it was at the very same time that the king had an impulse to reward the man who had saved him from the assassins. When Haman entered, Ahasuerus asked the general question, “What shall be done for the man whom the king delights to honor?” Thinking that his own great moment had come, Haman suggested the most elaborate parade and the bestowing of honors second only to those of the king himself. Haman further suggested that a public announcement be made as the parade moved through the city: “Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor!” Thereupon the king ordered Haman to hurry and bestow all these honors not on Haman, but on Mordecai the Jew! Haman went out to proclaim his worst enemy as the man whom the king delighted to honor. Pride went before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall (Pro_16:18). In our day there is a Man whom the King delights to honorthe Lord Jesus Christ. God has decreed that every knee shall bow to Him and every tongue confess Him Lord to the glory of God the Father (Phi_2:10-11). 6:12-14 Crestfallen, Haman retreated to his house and reported these strange developments. His wife and wise . . . friends saw in the day’s events an omen of victory for the Jew and defeat for Haman. But by then it was time for Haman to hurry off to Esther’s banquet.