Last week we left off with Haman being humiliated by parading Mordecai through the city streets. Fortunately, Haman can look forward to the royal banquet Esther is hosting...or so he thinks.
1 So the king and Haman went to Queen Esther's banquet, 2 and as they were drinking wine on the second day, the king again asked, "Queen Esther, what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted."
Esther's heart had to be pounding in her throat! If she's anything like me, she rehearsed that speech in her head 50 times – and now it was time to deliver it. In those moments, God is present, and we must trust in what He said in Deuteronomy 31:6, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you."
Father, help us not only speak Deuteronomy 31:6 but also truly believe deep in our hearts that you are with us. Thank you for giving us strength and courage, even when our life is at stake.
3 Then Queen Esther answered, "If I have found favor with you, Your Majesty, and if it pleases you, grant me my life—this is my petition. And spare my people—this is my request. 4 For I and my people have been sold to be destroyed, killed and annihilated. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king."
One beautiful point here is that Esther relied on the king's favor. She knew she could not ask sweetly enough or force his hand – she recognized the king had the power and authority to change Haman's evil plan and spare her people.
Wow. What application this has for us. I was reading some "grace nuggets" a dear friend wrote from Romans 5:1-11. As followers of Christ, we now stand in grace, which allows us to not have to prove our worth to God (or others). We claim Christ as a friend, have permanent access to His presence, are free from "scorekeeping," and get to spend our time praising God. Oh, for us to understand the enabling power His grace (favor) offers us!
Lord, may we never trade this world's power or human effort for Your favor. Thank you for ushering us into a grace-based relationship with you and freeing us from the expectations and burdens tossed our way.
5 King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, "Who is he? Where is he—the man who has dared to do such a thing?" 6 Esther said, "An adversary and enemy! This vile Haman!" Then Haman was terrified before the king and queen. 7 The king got up in a rage, left his wine and went out into the palace garden. But Haman, realizing that the king had already decided his fate, stayed behind to beg Queen Esther for his life.
Bad juju for Haman. God's appointed time for judgment on Haman had come, and there was no hope for him. The king was clearly in a rage – not only had he misjudged Haman's character, but he had also put both his queen and Mordecai (whom he had just publicly recognized for saving his life) in harm's way.
8 Just as the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet hall, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was reclining. The king exclaimed, "Will he even molest the queen while she is with me in the house?"
Warren Wiersbe says this, "What a paradox! Haman had been furious because a Jewish man wouldn't bow down to him, and now Haman was prostrate before a Jewish woman, begging for his life."
I love how this story was scripted – no human could've created such a masterful plan. Even when the situation seemed hopeless, God provided a way. "What is impossible with man is possible with God" (Luke 18:27).
As soon as the word left the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face. 9 Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs attending the king, said, "A pole reaching to a height of fifty cubits stands by Haman's house. He had it set up for Mordecai, who spoke up to help the king." The king said, "Impale him on it!" 10 So they impaled Haman on the pole he had set up for Mordecai. Then the king's fury subsided.
You reap what you sow; this is a clear picture of what happens when we sow sin and evil. Haman reaped a tremendous harvest in terms of the hatred he planted. That is why we are told in Proverbs 4:23, "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." Your heart is like Times Square. There are taxis, pedestrians, and subway hubs that all flow into the centrality of Times Square, and our heart works the same way. People, thoughts, and things we see flow through our hearts. When we don't stand guard and screen the activities trying to enter our lives, we become vulnerable to sin (just like Times Square is vulnerable to "merchants" who have no right to sell; evil has no right to take up residence in your heart because that is God's possession).
A few years ago, my oldest son and I were conversing about heaven (this is typical with him). While talking, he said something significant: "My insides are a special treasure." He was referring to his soul, which was one day to be with Jesus. Your insides are a special treasure, too. Let's not allow sin to impale that which God has redeemed.
Almighty God, help us to STAND GUARD. Strengthen and bring us courage when sin wants to slide in the back door of our hearts. Please give us an alert spirit. Thank You for impaling evil in our life so that our souls – which are special treasures – are deeply connected to You. Amen.