Esther Part III

Esther tells her concerns to Mordecai- mainly- she is concerned that going before the king could mean death for her. Mordecai responds: "Think not with thyself." Good advice Mordecai. And then he goes on to say,

who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as
this?

Esther responds :

E4:16

Go gather together all the Jews that are present in the Shushan and fast ye for
me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my
maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not
according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.

On the third day, Esther put on her Royal robes and went tin to the inner chamber. When the king saw her, he was pleased, and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre, so Esther came closer and touched the top of the sceptre.

The king asks Esther,

"what would you like. I will give you any request, up to half of the
kingdom?"

Esther no doubt thought for a moment- maybe I should just ask him now- that is a pretty good offer- but she doesn't. She came in with a plan, knowing what she was going to say- a plan that she had no doubt prayed about, and had all planned out. Instead of asking him right then- she invites the King, and Haman to a banquet- that evening.

However- at the banquet the king asks her again, "what is thy petition?" Here I would think she would tell him the purpose of the visit- but for some reason- she does not- instead, she asks him,

E 5:8

Let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I
will do tomorrow as the king hath said.

She promises to ask him tomorrow. Why? Did she chicken out? Was she too scared? Or was this too part of her plan? Did the spirit whisper to her- "wait- ask him tomorrow."

Haman went home pretty proud of himself. As he left, ""joyful and glad of heart" he sees Mordecai- the thorn in his side, on duty outside. Of course, Mordecai, like usual- does not bow to him. I see two strong men. One so full of himself, so accustomed to being treated with adoration and respect- to the point that he is requiring a worshipful greeting. And the other- equally strong- if not stronger- but without the position. His strength comes not from a position, but from is knowledge of who he is, and who he worships. And he worships none, but the Lord God.

With his confidence soaring after dinner with the king and queen. he gathers his wife and friends when he gets home, and tells them about his day. He has accomplished so much. He has riches, he has position. He just had dinner with the king and queen! And yet he comes out side, and who is there? Mordecai. he should be thrilled- so happy- but seeing Mordecai- he is filled with anger and indignation.

His wife and friends give him advice- go have some gallows made, and hang Mordecai- tomorrow. Then- when you go to dinner tomorrow evening- you can be truly happy!. Haman thought this was a great idea- and so he had the gallows made.

That same night- the kind could not sleep. And so- he has the book of records brought to him, and read to him.

E6:2-3

And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Tersh, two
of the kings chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay had on the
king Ahasuerus.
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.

The king then says, I know it's late- but who is still here? Anyone- well yes- Haman is here. (Haman had come back after having the gallows made to convince the king to let him kill Mordecai tomorrow.) The king says- have Mordecai come here.

Haman came to him , and the king asks Haman- I have this person whom I would like to honour- what should I do for him?

Haman, again, so full of himself- things- (he is talking about me! I'm the special guy around here- who would he like to honour more than ME?) Boy he is excited, and he gives the king a good list of nice things to do for this person.

Let him wear your royal clothes, and your crown. Let one of your noble princes parade him through the streets on your horse- parading though the streets - proclaiming all the way that the king delights to honor this man.

The king says- oh yes- good idea- go do all of that for Mordecai.

I cannot imagine how upset this made Mordecai- but the next day- when he was planning on the joy of hanging Mordecai, instead he was parading him through the streets- with Mordecai wearing the kings Royal robes and crown- proclaiming for all that this was whom the kind delighted to honor. I wonder if he did that with a sarcastic tone to his voice.

While he was discussing his horrible day with his wife and friends he is summoned to dinner with the king and queen again.

So- did Esther just chicken out yesterday?- Or was Haman supposed to experience the humiliation and disappointment that he had that day. Once seated and eating, the king again asks Esther- "so, what is thy petition? "