One of the greatest joys of my ministry days in the early ’80s was witnessing the transformed lives of Frank and Adam. They have both served the Lord faithfully these past 35 years and are pastors in Florida and Alabama. Both Adam and Frank subscribe to this blog.

Esther 8

Through the invisible, yet apparent, providence of God, Haman was hung on the gallows he had built. Isn’t it ironic? When Joseph’s brothers sold him as a slave to a passing caravan, who could’ve known that Joseph would rise to second in command in Egypt and his brothers would eventually bow before him. What man intends for evil, God uses for good. God is the originator of irony. 

Honey, I’m home!

On the day of Haman’s death, king Ahasuerus gave the house of Haman to Esther. Esther disclosed to the king her kin relationship with Mordecai. The king called in Mordecai and “the king took off his signet ring which he had taken away from Haman and gave it to Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.” I suppose it was a shock to Haman’s wife when Mordecai walked into the house that evening and says “honey, I’m home.”

The book of James contrasts the proud and the humble. “God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble…humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you,” 4:6-10. And Proverbs 28:25, “An arrogant man stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the Lord will prosper.”
Reverse the irreversible

Meanwhile, although Esther is happy about today’s events, there is still the issue of the irreversible edict to slaughter the Jews. Esther fell at the king’s feet, wept and begged for the edict to be reversed. Although the king couldn’t reverse it, he had a plan. The king brought in his scribes to work with Mordecai to draft a new decree which he will seal with the king’s signet ring. In this decree, the Jews were granted the “right to assemble and defend their lives, to destroy, to kill and to annihilate the entire army of any people or province which might attack them.” Vs 16 says, “For the Jews there was light and gladness and joy and honor.”

Lord, a happy ending to the story is emerging for Esther and Mordecai. Our stories don’t always end in happiness and our trials often persist and persist. Nevertheless, your promise is always true that “he who trusts in the Lord will prosper.” Remind us that Your timing is not always our timing. Faith, trust, humility and patience is required of us. Our stories are still being written and the author of our faith, is You, dear Lord. Help us keep our faith, remain strong, seek you and follow You always. Amen!