August 4, 2023
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in Esther? Here’s today’s reading:
Esther 7 (NIV)
Haman Impaled
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.”…..Continue Reading
This is a story of courage on Esther’s part. Also, it’s a reminder that God can works miracles in His people’s lives through unbelievers.
Esther 7. “The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman.”
“Thou art the man.”
There can be no more terrifying position than this, identified as an enemy of God by our behavior. -gy
It is all a turnabout on Haman. What he wanted done to Mordecai and the Jewish people is now happening to him and latter to the enemies of the Jews. Kind of like when Daniel was falsely accused and thrown into a lion`s den only to be spared by God`s angels and then his enemies were thrown into the lion`s den. Haman was executed on the very gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. If Haman wasn`t so arrogant, hateful, and so self absorbed, maybe he would have remained in his own house and not hung. But God used this petty man to bring about His will. We have hope in Jesus. Hebrews 6;19 [ Which hope we have as a anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into the vail.]
Haman certainly receives his just “reward ” in this chapter. After all he is a despicable man.
A touch of levity? In the VeggieTales version of Esther, Haman and the two co-conspirators to kill the king are sentenced to “The Land of Perpetual Tickling” for their offenses. I’m sorry.
Haman’s pride and evil deceitful ways led to his own demise! His head ends up on the pole he placed for Mordecai. Sad when our own emotions cloud our judgement to the point of our own destruction. Whether it be pride, greed, jealousy, or addiction when we are operating out of unbalanced emotion instead of the truth of God it never leads anywhere else.
Hatred begets hatred and causes one’s perception to go awry to the point of losing sight of the truth. Haman set his sights on Mordecai and and his hatred grew. Soon, it wasn’t enough to wait for Mordecai’s death. He sought to expedite it. There are a few passages in scripture that talks of wicked men setting snares for the victims and falling into their own trap.
Esther 4 and 5
Dennis, there would be one proof that God is not real: that would be if every Hebrew were exterminated. It will never happen, as God’s promise to Abraham is sure as the anchor you cited!
Your comments are so true. God will always intervene to prevent inihilation of the Jews, as he did in Esther. It is OQE (objective quality evidence) that God exists and Scripture is accurate for our hope in Christ. -gy
Ester’s plan has worked as well as the prayer and fasting of the people (a good reminder that prayer does not necessarily lead to no action). She has peeked the king’s interest and desire to meet her request by hosting 2 dinners while lulling Haman to not think it will be about him. We can also not discount God’s efforts to grant her favor. But soon into the time it is evident the jig is up and the tables are radically turned on Haman. Now Xerxes here is a typical king where he takes no responsibility for his part in allowing Haman to have his edict put in place(not a laudable approach for any leader). But Haman also was a bit conniving in not specifying he was referring to the Jews when he suggested the king take the action he did. And what a fitting picture of what God can do with the enemies of His people….oh there are gallows near Haman’s house that he meant for Mordecai….ok, then, hang him on it. God certainly knows how to thwart the plans of our enemies when He sees fit!
Esther 7
Esther 7 you see in this chapter where Esther’s prayers for her people are answered, She has stayed strong and brave and trusted God in every situation and God rewards her by destroying the man who had plotted to get rid of her people. We could learn a lot from Esther, and the power of prayer.
Esther is not hasty in her petition to the king to save the lives of her people. She allows for God’s perfect timing in this dire sitution. As a result, Haman is destroyed for attempting to annihilate God’s people.
Romans 12:19 – Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
Psalms 18:30 – As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord ’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.