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Esther 6

No chapter in the Bible displays God’s sense of humor more than Esther 6. This is one of those stories where you say it would be fun to be God and orchestrate events to humiliate the wicked and proud people that you know. God has His sights set on the proud and arrogant Haman. On the day that Haman anticipates achieving his most glorious accomplishments, he instead has a very bad day. Very, very, very bad!

Sweet dreams

Haman decides the night before his second banquet with the king and queen that he would build a gallows to hang Mordecai.  In the morning he will gain approval from the king to execute his evil deed. Haman falls asleep that night with great anticipation of what he will accomplish the next day. He will hang his nemesis in the morning and then enjoy the honor of a banquet that afternoon with the king and queen. While Haman is dreaming of the delights of the tomorrow’s events, the king has insomnia. He calls his servants to read the book of records and chronicles of his kingdom. Persians were known to keep very detailed records of all events. The book was opened, and the story of Mordecai was read. Mordecai had reported to the queen the plot to assassinate the king. The king was saved because of Mordecai. The king asked his servant, “what honor or dignity has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?” They replied, “Nothing has been done for him.”

Now that was awkward!

The next morning, Haman arrives at the palace to ask the king for permission to hang Mordecai. Before Haman could make his request, the king asks Haman, “what is to be done for the man whom the king desires to honor?” Haman thought to himself that the king must to talking about him. So, Haman goes big and speaks of clothing such a man with robes, a crown, riding on a royal horse through the streets and being led by one the kings most noble princes. The king then says to Haman, “go and do all you have said to Mordecai the Jew.” Not that’s funny! Haman’s shock and dismay must have been off the charts. You can’t make this stuff up.

Better luck next time

Haman obeys the king and does all he had said for Mordecai. Oh, how the mighty have fallen. After the parade, he covers his face and goes home in deep despair and humiliation. It just can’t get any worse than this. As Haman is mourning the day’s events, the king’s servants arrive to take Haman to the banquet. Maybe his day is about to improve…or maybe not. More next time.