Haman recounted to them the splendor of his riches
Sat, 28 January, 2006: Today’s Bible readings.
9 And Haman went out that day joyful and glad of heart. But when Haman saw Mordecai in the king’s gate, that he neither rose nor trembled before him, he was filled with wrath against Mordecai. 10 Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home, and he sent and brought his friends and his wife Zeresh. 11 And Haman recounted to them the splendor of his riches, the number of his sons, all the promotions with which the king had honored him, and how he had advanced him above the officials and the servants of the king. 12 Then Haman said, “Even Queen Esther let no one but me come with the king to the feast she prepared. And tomorrow also I am invited by her together with the king. 13 Yet all this is worth nothing to me, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.” 14 Then his wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Let a gallows fifty cubits high be made, and in the morning tell the king to have Mordecai hanged upon it. Then go joyfully with the king to the feast.” This idea pleased Haman, and he had the gallows made.
The book of Esther is a thrilling tale that keep you on the edge of your seat. In today’s chapter, we are treated to more suspense.
You could not just walk in on the king of the Medes and Persians. He would only see people on his own terms, and to walk in on the king was grounds for execution. But Esther must intercede on behalf of her people who are doomed to extermination, and so she takes her life in her own hands. She walks right into the king’s presence uncalled. But the king graciously extends to her his staff, showing that he accepts her and will not punish her for this breach of protocol. He even goes further. Realizing that she would only come to him like this if she wanted something, the king encourages Esther to make her request, telling her that he will surely grant it, even if it is a large request.
Instead of directly asking for the king to intervene to save the Jewish people whom Haman has been plotting to destroy, Esther invites the king to bring Haman to a feast, after which she will make her request.
Haman and king Ahasuerus come to Esther’s feast, and the king again encourages her to make her request. But one more time, she delays the request by again asking the king to bring Haman to another feast on the next day.
For whatever reason, Esther is building the suspense of the king (and of the story). Imagine how Ahasuerus must wonder what this request will be. It is a brilliant plan on Esther’s part, and God will use this delay to further work Haman’s downfall, as we will see tomorrow. But today we see how this maneuver by Esther to make her request at the most favorable time is greatly misinterpreted by Haman. He only sees how he is singled out for preferential treatment, and as a very proud mane, it only puffs him up even more. After the first feast, he gathers his friends and his wife and tells them all about how wonderful he is. I’m sure it is a dreadfully dull time for those unfortunate enough to have to listen, but like some people we know, Haman just can’t stop talking about what a great guy he is. And to top it all off, Haman is preparing a gallows on which to hang anyone who, like Mordecai, doesn’t agree with how wonderful Haman is.
What do we learn from this?
Haman puts himself first in every situation. He is always seeking his own personal advancement, and he sees everything in terms of how it reflects on himself. That which makes him look bad must be destroyed, and all must be brought to acknowledge the personal glory of Haman. There is no concern for God or for others. Haman’s universe is only big enough to fit one: Haman.
But in the coming chapters we are about to see fulfilled in Haman’s life what Jesus taught half a millennium later:
23 And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” 26 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” 27 Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” 28 Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.
God reverses things from the way we often see them. Haman, the prominent, who was first in all things, will be placed in his proper place, and the humble Mordecai will be exalted.
For the LORD of hosts has a day
against all that is proud and lofty,
against all that is lifted up–and it shall be brought low.
Where is Christ in this passage?
God promises to reverse things. Those who are proud and trust in themselves will be brought low. But those who humble themselves and acknowledge who they really are, coming to God in faith, will be lifted up. You see, the truth is that neither the proud nor the humble have anything to boast of before God. We are all sinners, condemned by God for our rebellion against Him. It is only through acknowledging our need for salvation and humbling ourselves before God, trusting in Jesus Christ, His provision for salvation, that we can be saved. It is only through faith in Jesus Christ that we can be exalted to the position of being children of God and being accepted into His presence.
All who exalt themselves and think that they have earned God’s favor will find to their everlasting regret that they are banished forever from God’s saving presence. All they will know of God is His wrath poured out upon them for all eternity. But those who humble themselves before God will find His mercy and grace in the person of Jesus Christ.
