Day 18- Esther 6:1-14

Day 18 – Esther 6: 1-14

Opening Prayer: Father, Your ways are not our ways. You are gentle and all powerful, gracious, and just. May we trust You more and more as we see Your masterful hand at work.

Read: Esther 6:1-14

In your 4R journal:

• Record: After reading this short story, what verse stood out to you?
• Respond: Write a short prayer of praise in response to what God has shown you.

This chapter opens with the humanity of King Xerxes as he struggles to fall asleep coupled with the all-powerful and all-knowing God paving the way for deliverance. Providentially, the chronicles were read to the king to ease his slumber. And it “just so happened” that they recited the story recalling the murder plot against the king which Mordecai foiled, ultimately saving the king’s life. (This was not the kind of story the encouraged sleep!)

Because of this, the king asked, “What honor or dignity has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?” (Esther 6:3a NASB). But up to that time nothing had been done for Mordecai because God had other plans.

Reflection:

• Recall an occasion when you went unrewarded for a time.
• How did God bless you in the waiting?

If you remember, Haman’s wife, Zeresh, suggested that he go to the king “in the morning” to ask for Mordecai to be hanged. In the meantime, the king spent a sleepless night contemplating how to honor Mordecai, the Jew! So, Haman, anxious to be rid of his Jewish enemy, walked straight into a humiliating trap set by his own pride. Therefore, when the king asked, “What should be done for the man the king wishes to honor?” Haman naturally assumed the king wanted to honor him (embarrassing!). Hence, he was quite generous, with the king’s robes, horse, and noblemen. However, Haman’s downfall was already established by God.

My Verse: Esther 6:9, “Then let the robe and horse be entrusted to one of the king’s most noble princes. Let them robe the man the king delights to honor, and lead him on the horse through the city streets, proclaiming before him, ‘This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!’” (NIV).

My Response: Father, keep me humble! Only You and You alone are worthy of worship and praise. Thank you for allowing me to take refuge under Your loving wings.

Haman must have grimaced when he heard the king’s response. Thinking only of himself, Haman weaved a web in which he could not escape. “…do so for Mordecai, the Jew” (Esther 6:10 NASB). Yes, Haman was the nobleman appointed to parade Mordecai, the man he hated, through Susa proclaiming, “This is what should be done to the man the king desires to honor.” (I’m assuming Haman mumbled these words and did not shout them!) When it was over Haman was humiliated and scurried home to tell his wife. Being as wise as she was wicked, Zeresh predicts Haman’s downfall because Mordecai is a Jew. Just then, the eunuchs arrive and “hastily” brought Haman to the banquet.

Although this scene is potent and tragic, there is a beautiful parallel between Mordecai, the Jew, being honored by the king, and Jesus, our Savior, being honored as The King. Both experienced a triumphant ride, the lesser on a royal horse, the greater on a donkey. Our true hero came riding the symbol of peace but when He returns it will most certainly be on a royal horse with royal robes!

Father, thank you for the beautiful glimpses of our Savior. Around every corner of the Old Testament are visions of victory. Thank you for conquering evil and giving us the hope of glory in Christ Jesus.

 The next step:

When the Spirit leads, in the comment section below, chose a response to share:

• Recall an occasion when you went unrewarded for a time.
• How did God bless you in the waiting?

Or

• Share your 4R Response