Let’s check out Haman. He’s doing well.
In fact, Haman went out that day “glad and pleased of heart; but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king’s gate and that he did not stand up or tremble before him, Haman was filled with anger against Mordecai”, again. Fortunately, this time Haman controlled himself, however, he went to his house and sent for his friends and his wife Zeresh. After a bit of ranting about the situation and the disrespect he felt, he was advised to “have a gallows fifty cubits high made and in the morning ask the king to have Mordecai hanged on it; then go joyfully with the king to the banquet.” Of course, this pleased him and so he agreed.
Woah. Why can’t this guy just bow? Even once. Well, I know why but still, things aren’t looking good for him. We’ve seen Esther, Mordecai and Haman, but there must be something going on with our dear Ahasuerus?
At the same time, the king was having a rough night. Funnily enough, everything is Esther’s story thus far hinges on this one night.
Before we get to that, we’ve got to rewind to a secret scene which was revealed, from earlier in this season involving Mordecai and the king.
What happened?
In those days, while Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, Bigthan and Teresh, two of the king’s officials from those who guarded the door, became angry and sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. 22 But the plot became known to Mordecai and he told Queen Esther, and Esther informed the king in Mordecai’s name. 23 Now when the plot was investigated and found to be so, they were both hanged on a gallows; and it was written in the Book of the Chronicles in the king’s presence. (Esther 2:21-23)
Mordecai saved the king’s life!
Now, back to the king’s rough night.
During that night the king could not sleep so he gave an order to bring the book of records, the chronicles, and they were read before the king. 2 It was found written what Mordecai had reported concerning Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs who were doorkeepers, that they had sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. 3 The king said, “What honour or dignity has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?” Then the king’s servants who attended him said, “Nothing has been done for him.” (6:1-3)
The king couldn’t sleep and to us that may seem like nothing. He’s a king. Of course he’s going to have some sleepless nights here and there. But what is important is the timing. He has a sleepless night, on this night. So what did he do? He requested for someone to come in and read him something that could put in to sleep – the record keeper. We have the king in bed now, listening to the records being read, trying to fall asleep and something sticks out – someone had saved his life. Ahasuerus is a decent guy, so he asked what had been done for the person who saved his life, only to find out that nothing had been done.
“Can God direct in the books that people pick up and read? Yes, He can. Late in February 1916, a British student bought a book at a used-book stall in a railway station. He had looked at that book and rejected it at least a dozen times before, but that day he purchased it. It was Phantastes by George MacDonald, and the reading of that book eventually led to that young man’s conversion. Who was he? C. S. Lewis, perhaps the greatest and most popular apologist for the Christian faith of the middle-twentieth century. He wrote to a friend that he had picked up the book “by hazard,” but I believe God had directed his choice. God can even direct what we read in a book” (Wiersbe)
The next day the king calls Haman in and asks him what should be done for someone he wants to honour.
Let me guess, Haman thought the king was talking about the only one who’s worthy of honour in his eyes, Haman.
And he replied accordingly.
‘Let them bring a royal robe which the king has worn, and the horse on which the king has ridden, and on whose head a royal crown has been placed; 9 and let the robe and the horse be handed over to one of the king’s most noble princes and let them array the man whom the king desires to honor and lead him on horseback through the city square, and proclaim before him, ‘Thus it shall be done to the man whom the king desires to honor.’ (6:8-9)
We’ve known the king to be easily influenced and so he agrees. As Haman has all of the details down so clearly, Ahasuerus thought it made the most sense to allow Haman to carry it out himself.
So, Haman, is going to honor Mordecai? Surely not. The tables were turned just like that overnight, all because he could not sleep.
Only God could pull of such feats. Really, it was an incredibly executed plan, involving several parts:
(1) King’s Insomnia – God was awake (Ps 121:3-4-note) and wanted Ashasuerus awake so He could “speak” to him.
(2) King’s Choice – Not concubines from the harem or court musicians but a book!
(3) King’s Choice of the Specific Book – The king’s chronicles were undoubtedly only one of many possible choices.
(4) The King’s reader turned to the specific page which recorded Mordecai’s role in saving the king’s life about 5 years earlier.
(5) The King’s delay in honoring Mordecai – “God’s delays are not denials!” Even the King’s question in Esther 6:3 emphasizes that it was the practice to bestow honor for favors done on the king’s behalf! And yet it had not occurred in Mordecai’s case. What if Mordecai had already been rewarded 5 years earlier? It is distinctly unusual that Mordecai had not been rewarded five years earlier as was the usual practice in among the Persians as it was a way to maintain loyalty.
My Sunday Skl 