Don’t Jump to Conclusions

Esther 6:1-13

1 That night the king had trouble sleeping, so he ordered an attendant to bring the book of the history of his reign so it could be read to him. 2 In those records he discovered an account of how Mordecai had exposed the plot of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the eunuchs who guarded the door to the king’s private quarters. They had plotted to assassinate King Xerxes.

3 “What reward or recognition did we ever give Mordecai for this?” the king asked.

His attendants replied, “Nothing has been done for him.”

4 “Who is that in the outer court?” the king inquired. As it happened, Haman had just arrived in the outer court of the palace to ask the king to impale Mordecai on the pole he had prepared.

5 So the attendants replied to the king, “Haman is out in the court.”

“Bring him in,” the king ordered. 6 So Haman came in, and the king said, “What should I do to honor a man who truly pleases me?”

Haman thought to himself, “Whom would the king wish to honor more than me?” 7 So he replied, “If the king wishes to honor someone, 8 he should bring out one of the king’s own royal robes, as well as a horse that the king himself has ridden—one with a royal emblem on its head. 9 Let the robes and the horse be handed over to one of the king’s most noble officials. And let him see that the man whom the king wishes to honor is dressed in the king’s robes and led through the city square on the king’s horse. Have the official shout as they go, ‘This is what the king does for someone he wishes to honor!’”

10 “Excellent!” the king said to Haman. “Quick! Take the robes and my horse, and do just as you have said for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the gate of the palace. Leave out nothing you have suggested!”

11 So Haman took the robes and put them on Mordecai, placed him on the king’s own horse, and led him through the city square, shouting, “This is what the king does for someone he wishes to honor!” 12 Afterward Mordecai returned to the palace gate, but Haman hurried home dejected and completely humiliated.

13 When Haman told his wife, Zeresh, and all his friends what had happened, his wise advisers and his wife said, “Since Mordecai—this man who has humiliated you—is of Jewish birth, you will never succeed in your plans against him. It will be fatal to continue opposing him.”

As we see here in this story Haman is expecting to be praised by the king. Since Haman was so consumed with himself he didn't think the king could have been talking about anyone else but him. Here he is planning to impale Mordecai on a pole because he has the audacity to not bow down to him and it gets turned around. Not only does the one he wish to die not get killed but Haman himself has to walk around the city with this man on the king's horse, in the king's robe proclaiming "This is what the king does for someone he wishes to honor!"

This story reminds me of a passage in the book of John:

John 12:43

For they loved human praise more than the praise of God.

This was speaking of the pharisees who did believe in Jesus but wouldn't admit it because they were afraid of what other would think. Haman so desired praise from people, he even thought he deserved it. Who else could please the king more than he could? So when the king asked the question he thought the king was talking about him. This is why we cannot be consumed with our own press, either positive or negative. If we do not give glory, honor and credit to whom it is due, Jesus, then we are in trouble. When we start to believe nice things people may say about us or something that we did and we don't give the glory to God, then that is the extent of our reward.

Why is it that our flesh likes to be praised so much? Why is what other people think about us more important that what God thinks about us? Jesus teaches us more about humility here:

Luke 14:7-11

7 When Jesus noticed that all who had come to the dinner were trying to sit in the seats of honor near the head of the table, he gave them this advice: 8 “When you are invited to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited? 9 The host will come and say, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table!

10 “Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, ‘Friend, we have a better place for you!’ Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests. 11 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Haman did just what Jesus was talking about. He thought about himself being honored by the king and was humiliated in the process.

One thing I noticed here in verse 13 is that his wife and his friends told him that his plans against Mordecai should be stopped because it will be fatal for him if he doesn't. They saw the blessing of the Lord upon Mordecai and knew what would happen if Haman continued his plan. Mordecai didn't have to run around and proclaim that the blessing was on him, people knew it without being told. People who do not know the Lord should be able to tell that we have the Lord in us by our actions, not because we tell them.

Lord I thank You for revealing more of Yourself through the Word. I thank You for giving insight and wisdom into how we are to live and act. I thank You that only You are worthy to be praised and all the glory and honor belong to You alone. I truly am nothing without You in my life. Everything I have is because of Your love for me not because of anything I have done or any plans I have made. I praise You today for who You are to me and to my family. I love You and will serve You alone all the days of my life. Amen.

Published by Erik L. Vakula
Daily Bread From the Word
Copyright © 2009 Erik Vakula, All Rights Reserved