“And the king said, “What honor and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this?” Then said the king’s servants that ministered unto him, “There is nothing done for him.” …Haman came in..., And the king said unto him, “What shall be done unto the man whom the king delights to honor?” Now Haman thought in his heart, “Whom would the king delight to do honor more than myself?” Esther 6:3, 6:6
Have you ever worked with someone who was promoted because of you? And, instead of the person repaying you with gratitude, they spent their time trying to destroy you? In the Book of Esther, Queen Esther is credited with saving the lives of her people. However, it was really her cousin Mordecai, the adopted father she referred to as uncle, who prompted the series of events that would save the lives of Jews from Persia (Iran) to as far as India.
Mordecai was a Jew in Persia whose descendants had been taken from Jerusalem under King Nebuchadnezzar. The Bible does not say precisely what he did at the palace; it simply indicates that he “sat at the king’s gate.” We can assume that he was a servant who had access to the palace grounds but who did not live in the palace. In his post at the palace he overhears a plot by two of the king’s chamberlains to kill the king. He tells Esther, and she writes a letter in Mordecai’s name, warning the king of the plot. An investigation ensues, and the two chamberlains are arrested and hung for treason. As a result, the king appoints Haman, a man who aches for royal accolades, is full of vanity, and who hates Jews, to handle his affairs.
Let’s assume that Haman, because of this new position, knew that Mordecai was documented as the one who warned the king of the plot against him, which lead to his royal appointment. Instead of thanking Mordecai for his actions, he loathed him. Haman knew that because of Hebraic law, neither Mordecai nor any other Jew would bow in reverence to him. So, he convinced the king to distribute a decree ordering the destruction of all Jews.
Miraculously, before the decree is due, the king has a dream prompting him to wonder, what was done for the man who saved his life by revealing the plot to kill him. By the time the king asks Haman the question in today’s verse, Haman had already put his devious plot to kill Mordecai into action. So, in responding to the king, he is so certain that the king is planning to honor him, he arrogantly recommends that the king place his own royal robes and crown on the honoree, parading him through town on the king’s royal horse to be honored by the people. Obviously, he thought he would be the honored man dressed in the pomp array of the king.
So, while Haman believed that he was building gallows for Mordecai, he was in reality, building it for himself. And, while he planned a parade for himself befitting a king, he was in fact, planning it for Mordecai.
Do not be shocked that God can take those things plotted by others against you, and use them to your advantage. Simply follow Mordecai’s lead when you feel under siege; fast and pray to receive your response from God. He not only will answer you, He will in fact, turn the coming events to your favor. L.
Study Reference: The Book of Esther
From: "Honor Reversal" In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: shutterstock
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