Esther 6
Today's Passage: Esther 6
Yesterday, we saw Haman and friends cooking up a plot to kill Mordecai. It just so happens that on that very same night the king could not sleep. The king requested a bedtime story from the book of memorable deeds. The servant reading to the king started reading of the story of Mordecai saving the king from the two who guarded the threshold, and who sought to lay hands on the king.
The king asked, “What honor or distinction has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?” The king’s man reported, “Nothing has been done for him.” Seeking assistance in the matter the king said, “Who is in the court?”
The text says, “It just so happened”—I love that. Ironically, Haman had just so happened to come to the king about having Mordecai hanged on the gallows that he had prepared for him. Instead, Haman came in, and the king said to him, “What should be done to the man whom the king delights to honor?” Haman assumed the king meant him so he embellished, “For the man whom the king delights to honor...” Haman might have even given a wink believing that he was prescribing his own celebration with royal robes and the king’s horse. He didn’t stop there, he asked for a parade where the king's most noble officials… lead this man of honor on the horse through the square of the city, proclaiming before him: ‘Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor.’”
Can you imagine Haman’s jaw dropping when the king said to Haman, “Hurry; take the robes and the horse, as you have said, and do so to Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king's gate. Leave out nothing that you have mentioned.”
While we could create a long list of “coincidences” within the entire book of Esther, consider just the 8 occurring in our passage today: #1–The king can’t sleep. #2–Servant chose to read that particular page. #3–Remembering that Mordecai saved the king. #4–Mordecai’s loyalty unrewarded. #5–Next morning, Haman appears. #6–The king initially omits “Mordecai” to Haman. #7–Haman advises King regarding honoring the unknown servant. #8–King makes Haman honor Mordecai.
Take a moment and imagine if Mordecai had been rewarded the same day he informed on the spies. None of this would have taken place. Do you think he was ever bitter? Do you ever think he doubted God’s goodness, “Look what I did God, I helped save the king, and what is my reward for honoring you and serving the king?”
One of the hardest things for many people to accept is God’s timing. Had Mordecai been acknowledge in the moment, this opportunity for honor and recognition would have been lost. Do we trust the Lord for such things in our own lives? For the promotion, the relationship, etc?
Although God is never mentioned in Esther, his fingerprints are everywhere—especially in chapter 6. Haman though he would have the last laugh, but as Psalm 2 says, “He who sits in the heavens laughs.” Take some time today to consider that the Lord is laughing at anyone or anything that would seek your ultimate harm or downfall. When it “just so happens” to work out, don’t forget to praise the One who made it so.
Written By: Tyler Short
Yesterday, we saw Haman and friends cooking up a plot to kill Mordecai. It just so happens that on that very same night the king could not sleep. The king requested a bedtime story from the book of memorable deeds. The servant reading to the king started reading of the story of Mordecai saving the king from the two who guarded the threshold, and who sought to lay hands on the king.
The king asked, “What honor or distinction has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?” The king’s man reported, “Nothing has been done for him.” Seeking assistance in the matter the king said, “Who is in the court?”
The text says, “It just so happened”—I love that. Ironically, Haman had just so happened to come to the king about having Mordecai hanged on the gallows that he had prepared for him. Instead, Haman came in, and the king said to him, “What should be done to the man whom the king delights to honor?” Haman assumed the king meant him so he embellished, “For the man whom the king delights to honor...” Haman might have even given a wink believing that he was prescribing his own celebration with royal robes and the king’s horse. He didn’t stop there, he asked for a parade where the king's most noble officials… lead this man of honor on the horse through the square of the city, proclaiming before him: ‘Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor.’”
Can you imagine Haman’s jaw dropping when the king said to Haman, “Hurry; take the robes and the horse, as you have said, and do so to Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king's gate. Leave out nothing that you have mentioned.”
While we could create a long list of “coincidences” within the entire book of Esther, consider just the 8 occurring in our passage today: #1–The king can’t sleep. #2–Servant chose to read that particular page. #3–Remembering that Mordecai saved the king. #4–Mordecai’s loyalty unrewarded. #5–Next morning, Haman appears. #6–The king initially omits “Mordecai” to Haman. #7–Haman advises King regarding honoring the unknown servant. #8–King makes Haman honor Mordecai.
Take a moment and imagine if Mordecai had been rewarded the same day he informed on the spies. None of this would have taken place. Do you think he was ever bitter? Do you ever think he doubted God’s goodness, “Look what I did God, I helped save the king, and what is my reward for honoring you and serving the king?”
One of the hardest things for many people to accept is God’s timing. Had Mordecai been acknowledge in the moment, this opportunity for honor and recognition would have been lost. Do we trust the Lord for such things in our own lives? For the promotion, the relationship, etc?
Although God is never mentioned in Esther, his fingerprints are everywhere—especially in chapter 6. Haman though he would have the last laugh, but as Psalm 2 says, “He who sits in the heavens laughs.” Take some time today to consider that the Lord is laughing at anyone or anything that would seek your ultimate harm or downfall. When it “just so happens” to work out, don’t forget to praise the One who made it so.
Written By: Tyler Short
1 Comment
Great commentary Tyler. God is awesome.