Esther Chapter 6

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Mordecai is exalted for saving Ahasuerus’s life.

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Synopsis

1-3. Ahasuerus wishes to honor Mordecai.
4-11. Haman, unwittingly, suggests how to honor Mordecai and then does so.
12-14. Haman frets over the changing circumstances.

Reflection

Do you trust God to exalt you in due time?

Lesson

God has an amazing ability to orchestrate circumstances and people to accomplish His goals (Romans 8:28). In this chapter, the small deeds of the characters unite to reveal God’s plan to deliver the Jews through Esther and Mordecai.

To begin, Mordecai’s command to Esther to conceal her heritage (Esther 2:10) eventually reveals Haman’s character; if Haman had known the queen was Jewish, he might have stealthily exerted his will before Esther could intervene. Esther’s character gained Ahasuerus’s trust and affection (Esther 2:17). Mordecai’s love for Esther drove him to make the palace his life, allowing him to overhear the plot to kill Ahasuerus (Esther 2:21-23). Mordecai chose to do the right thing and, through Esther, alerted Ahasuerus of the danger. Because Ahasuerus trusted Esther, the plot was exposed.

Mordecai then refused to honor Haman, fueling Haman’s rage and bringing to the surface his hatred of the Jews and his reckless intentions (Esther 3:1-6). The fact that he would eradicate law-abiding citizens proves that Haman cared more about his agenda than the kingdom’s welfare. Worse, he willingly lied to his king (Esther 3:8-15). Mordecai’s continued righteous stand against Haman led Haman to act prematurely; Haman ordered the construction of gallows for Mordecai, thus publicizing Mordecai as his enemy (Esther 5:9-14). Ahasuerus could not sleep and so called for a scribe to lull him to sleep, only to discover Mordecai was never honored (Esther 6:1-3).

The table is now set. In Ahasuerus’s eyes, Mordecai and Esther are model citizens who have proved their loyalty. Haman, however, only has words. God orchestrated events so the right people would be in the right positions of power to expose the evil-hearted and magnify the righteous. Although seemingly unrelated, Mordecai’s previous decision to protect Ahasuerus laid the foundation for his rise to power.

Through these events, Christians can feel encouraged; our daily choices contribute to larger circumstances that God uses to further His agenda. Christians may think they are just doing their job and no one notices, but God observes their fidelity. When people are faithful over little, God grants them authority over much (Matthew 25:14-23).

In summary, God takes our small actions and transforms them into pivotal turning points in the circumstances of ourselves and others. As Mordecai’s revelation of a murder plot aided in the Jews’ deliverance, our daily deeds have a significant impact for good or evil. If we aid instead of hinder God—whether wittingly or not—God rewards us. As Paul said, “let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9).

Verse-by-Verse Study

1-2. Although not explicitly mentioned, God was present. He disturbed Ahasuerus so that he could not sleep and ensured the plot of the chamberlains was read. God prepared Ahasuerus’ heart to love and trust Mordecai and Esther. Furthermore, Ahasuerus did not know the Jews were the ones to be exterminated, or he would have reacted differently to Haman; he would have countered Haman’s argument that the Jews were rebellious, disloyal, and unlawful with Mordecai as the prime example.

3-5. Consistent with his character, Ahauserus wanted to hear another’s opinion before making a decision. Haman, eager to kill Mordecai, waited for the king in court. From his perspective, he thought it favorable that the king wanted to see him, not realizing that the Lord had begun to move against him.

6-11. This passage illustrates one of God’s forms of judgment: to turn the trap of the wicked against the one who set it (see Psalms 7:15, 9:15, Habakkuk 2:15-17). Haman set a trap for Mordecai, but the Lord turned it into a trap for Haman. He sought to kill his enemy but instead exalted Mordecai. Despite his pride, Haman realized circumstances were beyond his control.

The honor Haman suggested reveals the depth of his pride; Haman wanted to pretend to be king for a day. He desired to dress like the king, ride the king’s horse, and have everyone honor him as he paraded through the street. Considering how Haman reacted when Mordecai failed to reverence him, Haman was obsessed with feeling superior to everyone else.

Although Mordecai’s reaction was not recorded, the parade appears juxtaposed to his values. Mordecai saved the king without seeking a reward (Esther 2:21-23). Mordecai did not exploit his relation to Esther to gain power or authority; he was more concerned about Esther’s well-being than his social status. Therefore, he probably felt embarrassed by the worldly pomp.

12-14. Haman and those around him recognized the intense danger; he sought to kill a man in the king’s favor. Nonetheless, he had no time to consider a solution, illustrating that once judgment begins, it comes swiftly. No one is guaranteed an opportunity to rectify a mistake, which is why we must always seek the Lord’s advice and direction in for lives. Regrettably, there will be many people like Haman who are merrily going about their business, thinking all is well, only to be rudely awakened by God’s judgment.

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