Remember
that story at the end of Esther 2 where Mordecai, through Esther,
revealed a plot against the king? Esther told Ahasuerus this
life-saving news in the name of the relative who had been like a
father to her. The account of treachery and deliverance was entered
into the records of the king with the name “Mordecai” attached to
it.
At
the end of Esther 5, the situation for Mordecai and the Jews looked
desperate. If Haman had his way, Mordecai would hang high upon a
gallows before Esther had even revealed her request to the king that
her people be saved.
God
had a better plan and it began with the restlessness of Ahasuerus
during the earliest hours of a new day. The king called for the
reading of the “book of memorable deeds.” He heard about
Mordecai's role in saving his life and wondered if anything had been
done for him.
Someone
else was up and ready for action as the sun began to rise. Haman was
waiting in the king's court with enthusiasm for his new plan to put
Mordecai to death. When the king called for an adviser, Haman was
there. The king would use Haman to honor Mordecai rather than to kill
him.
What
a turnaround! Haman was certain that no one in the kingdom was more
worthy of honor than himself. Instead, this proud official would have
to lead the horse of the royally-robed Mordecai through the square of
the city shouting, “Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king
delights to honor.” The arrogant enemy of the Jews had hoped to
kill his adversary, but now it was Haman who was mortified.
The
dejected man returned home to his wife and friends. They had a
different message than the one they gave him earlier. At the end of
Esther 5 they advised, “Let a gallows fifty cubits high be made,
and in the morning tell the king to have Mordecai hanged upon it.”
But now their words contained a more sober assessment of the
challenge that Haman would face in seeking to destroy the Lord's
chosen people: “If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is
of the Jewish people, you will not overcome him but will surely fall
before him.”
The
stage was now set for the destruction of Haman. Just then the king's
overwhelmed adviser received a summons to come to Esther's second
feast.
What
a difference a very short time can make! This was true for Mordecai
during the days of the Persian Empire and it was certainly also true
centuries later for Jesus of Nazareth. It was Friday night when Jesus
was lifted up to die. His enemies thought that they had achieved
their objective. At that very moment he was atoning for our sins.
Early in the morning on the first day of the week he had risen from
the dead. Within a few weeks the Holy Spirit would be poured out upon
the church and the centuries-long proclamation of a resurrection
kingdom would begin.
Another
surprising day is coming for those who persecute the people of God
today. One night when even the light of the moon is eclipsed and
darkness seems to reign everywhere, the sound of the great festival
trumpet will be heard throughout the entire earth. The King will come
again. His adversaries will be utterly defeated and His beloved
children will be greatly honored.
Prayer from A Book of Prayers