Read Esther 6
Mordecai Honored
That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him. 2 It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, who had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes.
3 “What honor and recognition has Mordecai received for this?” the king asked.
“Nothing has been done for him,” his attendants answered.
4 The king said, “Who is in the court?” Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the palace to speak to the king about impaling Mordecai on the pole he had set up for him.
5 His attendants answered, “Haman is standing in the court.”
“Bring him in,” the king ordered.
6 When Haman entered, the king asked him, “What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?”
Now Haman thought to himself, “Who is there that the king would rather honor than me?” 7 So he answered the king, “For the man the king delights to honor, 8 have them bring a royal robe the king has worn and a horse the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head. 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!’”
10 “Go at once,” the king commanded Haman. “Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate. Do not neglect anything you have recommended.”
11 So Haman got the robe and the horse. He robed Mordecai, and led him on horseback through the city streets, proclaiming before him, “This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!”
12 Afterward Mordecai returned to the king’s gate. But Haman rushed home, with his head covered in grief, 13 and told Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him.
His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, “Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has started, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him—you will surely come to ruin!” 14 While they were still talking with him, the king’s eunuchs arrived and hurried Haman away to the banquet Esther had prepared.
Go Deeper
Today’s chapter gives us glimpses of God working behind the scenes to bring deliverance to the Jews. Despite the grand scheme Haman hatched to kill Mordecai and his people, God used the king’s sleepless night to accomplish His purposes. Apparently, daily events were recorded in a book. The king ordered the book read aloud, and “They found the written report of how Mordecai had informed on Bigthana and Teresh, two eunuchs who guarded the king’s entrance, when they planned to assassinate King Ahasuerus” (v. 2). The official records marked this event happening five years previously, but Mordecai had never been rewarded, and worse yet, he and his people were about to be wiped out.
The plan of Haman begins to unravel from here on a grand scale. Just when Haman is about to ask the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows he prepared, the king rewards Mordecai’s loyalty. “So Haman took the garment and the horse. He clothed Mordecai and paraded him through the city square, crying out before him–this is what is done for the man the king wants to honor” (v. 11). Mordecai, who had been driven by overwhelming grief to put on sackcloth and ashes and bitterly wail in the middle of the city, is now given honor and special recognition.
And God is not finished yet! Mordecai’s period of mourning is about to be over. Isaiah 61:3 proclaims, “To provide for those who mourn in Zion, to give them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, festive oil instead of mourning, and splendid clothes instead of despair. And they shall be called righteous trees planted by the Lord, to glorify Him.” Hallelujah! Let this be a beacon of hope for us. Through every hard and sanctifying moment, our God is at work. In the waiting, the suffering, the surreal experiences we walk through, we are seen, known and loved by our Savior who gave His life for us.
Questions
- Haman’s life was riddled with pride and selfish ambition. Where have these destructive forces crept into your life? Confess this to your Life Group.
- Mordecai modeled faithfulness despite his circumstances. Who do you know that is living out their faith intentionally, despite the odds? Make a point to tell them this week and encourage them on their journey.
- Write down/journal 3 things that remind you of God’s sovereignty in your life. Turn them into a prayer of thanksgiving to Him.
Dig Deeper
Check out this article that explores what the Bible says about false accusations.
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7 responses to “Esther 6”
This is such a great book of the Bible. I find myself waiting eagerly for each new chapter as if it was TV series on line. While I know I can read ahead, I will wait another day for Chapter 7.
Thank you Lord for blessing the author with these words to describe this faithful account of Esther and Mordecai. I look forward to the day when I can hear it from them in person in your presence.
Praise God.
Yes, reading ahead is not allowed! 😀
I agree. Dallas Jenkins should do the same for this as he did for The Chosen.
Although Mordecai isn’t the central focus of this book, I’ve been captivated by his character. God most certainly raised him up and used him in a mighty way to save his people. His willingness to step faithfully into hard places is astounding. From raising his orphaned cousin to raising awareness of how she was to use her position to save her people, he remained steadfast, brave and compassionate. May we employ these traits as we love and serve those around us.
“Coincidentally”
I do not believe in coincidences. I 1000% believe God is involved ALWAYS. Giving the king a sleepless night, having him pull up the book that recorded Mordecai’s faithfulness, Haman being in the hall at that moment, the king asking Haman how to honor a person for all the kingdom to see. All in God’s plan and purpose.
A great take away is that even in the waiting God has not forgotten. It had been 5 years BUT GOD knows and sees.” For those of us who are weary, waiting, or overlooked, this is hope. Your obedience is never wasted, your faith is never forgotten, and your God is never absent.” My selfishness wants everyone to see me do whatever for God’s glory but the reality is all that I do is seen by my God whom will reward me in heaven if I repent and turn away from all that selfishness. Another take away is pride is the downfall of many.
Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor. (Pro 18:12)
It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable to seek one’s own honor. (Pro 25:27)
Who is wise? He will realize these things. Who is discerning? He will understand them. The ways of the LORD are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them. (Hos 14:9)
Malachi 3:16-17:16 Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name.
17 “On the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty,
BUT GOD
Be courageous
Be faithful
Rest in God
God thank You for showing me how You see all. I know in my head knowledge these things take time and Your timing is best, but my flesh wants platitudes. God thank You for showing me how to pray for people better. Thank You for shema hearing to listen with obedience. God thank You for these minutes of this day. Thank You that I can glorify You in all I say and do. God I am so thankful grateful and blessed with You. Continue to help me see what You need/want me to do to further Your Kingdom today in these minutes in Jesus name amen
WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
10 “Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate.“
This event reminds me of Psalm 23, “you prepare a table before me, in the presence of my enemies”!
God’s Sovereignty at work without His name ever being mentioned and God’s timing is precise, even when invisible. Delay is not denial.
We all can read between the lines in this narrative. Let us look for God between the lines of our own life situations. He is there. To God be the glory!