August 2, 2023
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Reading along with us in Esther? Here’s today’s reading:
Esther 5 (NIV)
Esther’s Request to the King
1 On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance. 2 When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.…..Continue Reading
Hello friends, back into the study. Looking forward to hearing your comments!
So Esther 5 is before us. Haman is quite the character, remains consistent throughout this narrative. Hateful beyond any understanding, for no cause against him. Driven to destroy Mordecai and the Hebrew people. Wickedness in high places, using his station to plan a massacre. Seemingly well liked in his social spheres. Absorbs praise and quick to promote his exploits. Assumes everyone is on his side. We know full well what turns next.
For me, I ask, is there anything of Haman in me? May I gently quote to you a well favoured passage?
“Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness, full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity, whisperers, backbitters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents. Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful. Who, knowing the judgment of God, that they which committeth such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have and pleasure in them that do them.” In Christ, gordy
Good to have you back Gordon!
Esther does what is required of herself. She has along with her maidens, Mordecai, and the Jewish people fasted, without eating or drinking for three days and nights. She is willing to die if she has to. But instead the king grants her his presence and asks for her request. She asks for the king, and Haman to attend the banquet that she has prepared. They do attend the banquet and Esther asks for them to attend another banquet the next day. Then she will ask her petition. Meanwhile after the first banquet Haman is excited so much that he is bragging about to his wife and friends that he is the only one who got to be there with the king and queen. He is flying high but Mordecai causes him to crash for Mordecai wouldn`t honor him. He doesn`t know what to do. In away he is like a spoiled child who doesn`t get his own way. But they tell him what to do and he builds a gallows for Mordecai. He thinks this will get rid of his problem. Wasn`t king Ahab like this with Elijah and he didn`t know what to do. But Ahab`s wife, Jezebel however wanted to kill Elijah so he ran away from her and wanted to die. Elijah wasn`t afraid of Ahab but was terrified of her. Remember Ahab was the most wicked king. Both Ahab and Haman were spineless men but also evil. What a comparison between Mordecai and Haman. A man of conviction, lover of God, with Godly wisdom and Haman who was spineless and lover of self. Even Esther was willing to die if she needed to. She fasted and loved God. Haman I am sure that he didn`t face death with any courage but was fearful for he latter pleads with Esther to spare him from death. May the peace of Christ dwell in us richly.
I just closed out and saw that Gordon is back with us. I also along with pastor am glad to see you back.
Esther 5
Esther goes and is shown favor by the king…clearly she is following God.
Haman is still full of pride and hate…clearly God is of no concern to him.
We see such a stark contrast between the kind of people Esther and Mordecai are and the kind of man Haman is. Their concern is on the things of God and His people while Haman simply worries about himself and how others see him. Great lessons to be learned in regards to our hearts and motivations in this book and where we are looking before we make choices is it God or man?
Esther 5
Esther 5
Pride comes before a fall and Haman has plenty of it. It is interesting to see how Esther is coy in dealing with the king, building up curiosity and further attention for what her request might be. But what courage she showed to go before him in the first place. And Haman let’s everything that is going on go straight to his head. You wonder if that is part of the reason why she invited him. But the better Haman thinks about himself and his accomplishments, the greater the disregard Mordecai gives him appears. It so important for us to be aware of pride, jealousy and vengeance coming up inside of us. They lead to so many negative dynamics in ourselves and our relationships as well. And all Haman needs is a group of people stroking the pride and vengeance that are in him already.
Haman’s boastful, prideful ways leads him towards a path of destruction.