An Unexpected Honor Series

In Esther 6, King Xerxes was having trouble sleeping so he asked that the book of the records of the chronicles be read. During the reading, it was discovered that Mordecai was the one who had told of the plot to assassinate King Xerxes from Esther 2:21-23. King Xerxes asked what honor or dignity had been bestowed on Mordecai to which he learned there was none.

King Xerxes then asked who was in the court to which Haman was there. Haman was there to suggest that Mordecai be hanged on the gallows he had prepared. King Xerxes tells the servants to let him in. Esther 6:4-5

After Haman comes in, King Xerxes asks him, "What shall be done for the man whom the king delights to honor?" Haman automatically thinks the king is talking about him. He says, "let a royal robe be brought which the king has worn, and a horse on which the king has ridden, which has a royal crest placed on its head. Then let this robe and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble princes, that he may array the man whom the king delights to honor. Then parade him on horseback through the city square and proclaim before him: Thus, shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor!" Esther 6:6-9

Haman had a big problem with his ego. It was very clear that he wanted all eyes on him. In his eyes, he was the best. But Romans 12:3 says, "For I say through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith."

The king says to Haman, "Hurry, take the robe and the horse as you have suggested and do so for Mordecai the Jew who sits within the king's gate! Leave nothing undone of all that you have spoken." One can imagine how pale Haman's face was at those instructions. Haman didn't expect that at all! It had to be hard to restrain his anger as he took the robe and horse as he arrayed Mordecai. One can imagine him putting on a happy smile as he led Mordecai on horseback through the city square and proclaimed before him, "Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor!" But God will do that sometimes. The very people who are seeking to destroy you, God will elevate you in front of them. He did it for Joseph. Genesis 41:37-44

A lot of times we get angry at people for various reasons and instead of praying blessings, we want to destroy them. But the more we curse a person, the more God will bless them in front of us.

After Mordecai went back to the gate, Haman hurried back to his house mourning. Haman told Zeresh and his friends what had happened. They then said something that prophetic. "If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of Jewish descent, you will not prevail against him but will surely fall before him." Esther 6:12-13

Haman had completely forgotten something very serious. The Jewish people are the apple of God's eye, and He doesn't take it well when someone tries to harm them. God had told Abraham in Genesis 12:3, "I will bless those who bless you and I will curse him who curses you. And all the families of the earth shall be blessed." Everyone who has ever gone up against Israel has dealt with God's wrath one way or another. We must be very careful about how we treat the Jewish people.

While they were still talking with him, the king's eunuchs came and hastened to bring Haman to the banquet which Esther had prepared. Esther 6:14 Haman had no idea what was coming next.