Chapter 1 focussed on the invitation of the king. A king summons his wife to his banquet. She defiantly refuses to come and is subsequently banished from his presence. The banishment is irrevocable. A new replacement wife is sought.
These events are typical of Israel and the church.
But there is also a personal application for these types in Esther and Jesus’ banquet parable.
Chapter 2 is about the preparation for the king.
In Esther’s preparation and her eagerness to please the king, we saw some useful types regarding the preparation that we as believers go through for our heavenly king.
INTRODUCTION
In Chapter 3 Mordecai foils an assassination attempt on the king’s life. But we also see Haman construct a decree of death aimed at eliminating the Jews. Mordecai was a picture of the Holy Spirit while Haman is a type of the flesh. The conflict between Haman and Mordecai is typical of the ongoing battle we experience as Christians – the conflict between flesh and Spirit.
In Chapter 4 the Jews mourn (a type of repentance) the decree of death (a type of sin) and Mordecai persuades the initially reluctant Esther to intercede to the king on behalf of her people.
In Chapter 5 we saw Esther invite the king and Haman to a banquet on the third day of fasting. We looked at the significance of the third day in Scripture. Esther stalls again and invites them to yet another banquet.
INTRODUCTION
Prompted by his wife and friends, Haman now hatches a plot to execute Mordecai. Again this is typical - Haman (the flesh) wants to destroy Mordecai (the Holy Spirit).
We saw that the proud Haman is not only a type of the sinful nature, but also of the coming Antichrist. As a type of the natural fleshly man, where everything revolves around the here and now and the things of the world, Haman was so self-seeking and caught up in material gain that he did not realise that his day of ruin was imminent.
In Chapter 6 we saw God’s providence in action again and that God will always vindicate his people. While Esther and Haman were the one’s least likely to sleep well, it is the king who has a sleepless night. The king gets his servants to read to him and they just happen to read the account of how Mordecai saved him from an assassination attempt.
INTRODUCTION
We observed the result of Haman following bad advice from his wife and friends and would have to face the consequences. We noted that:
Advice that you want to hear is not always godly advice, even if the adviser claims it comes from God.
Sometimes the people who are viewed as “experts” can give bad advice.
Sometimes bad advice comes from those who are close to us, and who are well-meaning.
The majority are not always correct. So don’t take advice based on peer pressure.
Don’t take advice that is based on man’s worldly wisdom, rather than on Biblical principles.
INTRODUCTION
Unlike Haman, Esther received good counsel from Mordecai.
To her credit Esther took advice:
even when she was in a position of privilege
even when it was advice she didn’t want to hear
GOOD ADVICE
The Book of Esther
CHAPTER 7
After giving bad advice, Haman’s wife and friends abandon him to his fate.
Est 6:13 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!
BAD ADVICE
6:14 While they were still talking with him, the king’s eunuchs arrived and hurried Haman away to the banquet Esther had prepared.
7:1-6 So the king and Haman went to dine with Queen Esther…
Queen Esther, what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.
The king’s curiosity has piqued and for the third time he asks Esther what her request is. No doubt he is curious to know what was so important that Esther not only risked her life, but also has hosted two banquets for him.
While on the first two occasions she seems to have hesitated, in hindsight we see that God, in his providence, had used her delay to complete Haman’s downfall.
Haman has been publicly humiliated in the streets of Susa by having to honour his enemy.
He has erected a stake to impale a man the king has just honoured.
All that remains is for Esther to finally make her petition to the king.
A STARTLING REVELATION
If I have found favour with you, O king, and if it pleases your majesty, grant me my life—this is my petition. And spare my people—this is my request.
Esther associates herself with her people and their fate. She is about to reveal her national identity for the first time. She does not immediately accuse Haman as we might have expected but instead tells the king that her life along with the lives of her people are in jeopardy.
For I and my people have been sold for destruction and slaughter and annihilation. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king.
Who is he? Where is the man who has dared to do such a thing?
Ahasuerus may have thought he was coming to a nice private little party where his queen had a relatively minor issue she wanted to inform him about.
Now it turns out that her life is in danger. His beautiful wife is not safe within his own kingdom! He is immediately angry that someone would attempt to injure his queen and her people.
But at this stage neither the king or Haman knew that Esther was Jewish. Remember that Mordecai had previously advised her to conceal her nationality. So the question, “Who is he?” indicates that the king is clearly not linking this to the decree of death that Haman drafted.
A STARTLING REVELATION
IRONY
IRONY
IRONY: a state of affairs that seems contrary to what one expects and is often amusing as a result.
It is ironic that the angry king asks for the identity and the whereabouts of the man who would dare do this, without suspecting that it was his favourite right hand man sitting with them in the same room.
The adversary and enemy is this vile Haman.
A STARTLING REVELATION
Even the king must have been surprised at this revelation for he too was unaware of Esther’s nationality. But imagine how Haman’s heart sank when he discovered that the queen belongs to the race of people he planned to annihilate! Only the previous day he was ready to believe that there was no one else within the kingdom that the king would desire to honour more than himself. Now Haman is convinced that he will be executed.
7:6-7
Then
Haman
was
terrified
before the
king and
queen. The
king got
up in a
rage, left his wine
and went out into
the palace garden.
But Haman, realizing that the king had already decided
his fate, stayed behind to beg Queen Esther for his life.
When the king asked who the source of this danger is (“Where is the man who has dared to do such a thing?”) he clearly didn’t realise that it was as a result of a decree that he played a role in approving.
He is now probably angry at himself for the part that he played in the decree. He likely regretted that he had not check the details of the decree more carefully, because of his implicit trust in Haman’s judgment.
Be careful what you sign up for and who you trust!
Don’t make decisions based on limited information or after hearing only one side of the story.
Prov 18:17 (ESV) The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.
A STARTLING REVELATION
His anger would have been fuelled by the fact that he realises that Haman had used him to settle his private vendetta.
By giving the king limited information, Haman had manipulated him into approving a decree of death, by pretending that the targeted people were a threat to the entire kingdom, when in fact it was only one person from that people group who had annoyed Haman.
The king storms out, probably to try and think of a way out of this, without making himself look bad for the role he played. How can he punish Haman for a decree that he himself had played a part in approving?
A STARTLING REVELATION
7:8 Just as the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet hall, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was
reclining.
Will
he even molest the queen while she is with me in the house?
Things go from bad to worse for Haman. While pleading with Esther, the king returns and accuses him of attempting to force himself on the queen.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers: Ahasuerus must have known perfectly well that Haman’s position was that of a suppliant; his words do but indicate his utter anger… 1
Matthew Poole’s Commentary: He speaks not this out of a real jealousy, for which there was no cause in those circumstances; but from an exasperated mind, which takes all occasions to vent itself against the person who gave the provocation, and makes the worst construction of all his words and actions. 1
1 biblehub.com/ commentaries/ esther/ 7-8.htm
FROM BAD TO WORSE
Maybe his strange accusation is his possible solution to the problem? The king would look bad if he punished Haman for a decree he was complicit in and that was publicised in his name.
“Can he punish Haman for a plot he himself approved? If he does so, won’t he have to admit his own role in the fiasco [and lose face]? Moreover, he has issued an irrevocable law; how then can he rescind it?” 1
But what if Haman was trying to molest the queen? Inadvertently Haman may have provided the king with a solution to his problem, by falling onto the couch where Esther was sitting.
1 Michael V. Fox, Character and Ideology in the Book of Esther, 86.
A STARTLING REVELATION
In those days, the kings were afraid that other men might try to take advantage of their wives
and so, with the exception of the
royal eunuchs, they normally
denied any man contact with
their women.
Even in the presence of
others, a man was not to
approach a woman of the
king’s harem within 7 steps.
- Edwin M. Yamauchi,
Persia and the Bible, 262.
And so the king now accuses
Haman of trying to take
advantage of the queen.
A STARTLING REVELATION
7:8 As soon as the word left the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face.
“It was the custom of the kings of Persia, that their servants covered the face of him the king was angry with, that he might not see his face any more, which was well known in the Persian writings.” (Gill quoting the medieval Jewish rabbi, Aben Ezra) 1
Curtius in his history of Alexander the Great (vi. 8) speaks of this as done to Philotas, who had served with distinction under that monarch, when, on a confession of treason having been wrung from him by torture, he was about to be stoned to death. Livy also (i. 26) mentions it as a Roman custom. (Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges) 1
1 biblehub.com/ commentaries/ esther/ 7-8.htm
FROM BAD TO WORSE
Then to top it all Harbonah (mentioned in the list of Esther 1:10 as one the seven eunuchs who served the king) places the proverbial last straw on the camel’s back when he points out that, in addition to his plot to kill the Jews, Haman has made plans to execute Mordecai, the man the king has just honoured for his loyalty.
THE FINAL STRAW
A pole reaching to a height of fifty cubits stands by Haman’s house. He had it set up for Mordecai, who spoke up to help the king.
We already noted that Haman wasn’t a man to be crossed. And we saw his barbarity - he didn’t just want Mordecai executed, he even had the pole erected at his house, so he could personally witness his impalement on a 75 foot stake.
Could this mean streak have gained Haman enemies in the court and might Harbona himself be one of them? Note how quickly Harbona speaks up to inform the king about the impalement stake that Haman has erected for Mordecai, while stressing that Mordecai was the man who was honoured by the king that very morning.
Maybe the added insinuation was that, since Haman wanted to kill the man who had saved the king from an assassination attempt, Haman might have had sympathies with the would-be assassins?
A STARTLING REVELATION
Most people only treat people nicely if they think they can do something for them – or further their own goals.
The true judge of your character is how you treat those who can do nothing for you.
A STARTLING REVELATION
7:10 So they impaled Haman on the pole he had set up for Mordecai. Then the king’s fury subsided.
Impale him on it!
Ahasuerus now has adequate grounds for executing Haman besides the charge brought by Esther (which we saw would put the king himself in a bad light, if he acted on that alone). Haman has attempted to “molest” the queen and also plotted to assassinate a man loyal to the king. He orders that Haman be impaled on his own stake.
So the honour that Haman wanted for himself is bestowed on Mordecai (being led through the streets on the king’s horse). The punishment he had plotted for Mordecai was given to him instead.
This is evidence of the Biblical principle that “A man reaps what he sows” (Gal 6:7).
Prov 26:27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it; if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them.
REAP WHAT YOU SOW
The first-century Jewish historian, Josephus, comments:
And from hence I cannot forbear to admire God, and to learn hence his wisdom and justice, not only in punishing the wickedness of Haman, but in so disposing it, that he should undergo the very same punishment which he had contrived for another; as also, because thereby he teaches others this lesson, that what mischiefs any one prepares against another, he without knowing of it, first contrives it against himself.. 1
We find this principle in action elsewhere in Scripture:
Matt 26:52 “… for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.”
1 Antiquities of the Jews, in The Works of Josephus, trans. W. Whiston (Lynn, Mass.: Hendrickson, repr. 1980), page 241.
REAP WHAT YOU SOW
God shuts the mouths of the lions and like Haman, Daniel’s enemies become victims of their own plot, when the king decides they should suffer the fate they intended for him.
Daniel refuses to obey a law (which was instigated by his enemies) that prohibits him from praying to God. As a result he is thrown into the lion’s den.
REAP WHAT YOU SOW
In the context of forgiveness and judging others, Jesus taught us that you reap what you sow:
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:37-38)
REAP WHAT YOU SOW
When the master learns of this he angrily revokes his former cancellation of the servant’s debt and has the unmerciful man thrown into prison.
Jesus tells of a parable of a servant who refuses to forgive a fellow servant his small debt and has him imprisoned – this after his own master has released him from a far greater debt.
REAP WHAT YOU SOW
Reaping what you sow also applies in the positive sense.
2 Cor 9:5-13 …Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given. Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.”
REAP WHAT YOU SOW
Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.
REAP WHAT YOU SOW
Many only quote the latter part of this passage – they remember the promise, but not the precondition.
Phil 4:15-19 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need… I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
REAP WHAT YOU SOW
In our covenant relationship with God – we reap what we sow.
E.g. The Israelites sowed rebellion towards God and reaped his judgment.
Hos 8:1-7 “Put the trumpet to your lips! An eagle is over the house of the LORD because the people have broken my covenant… Israel cries out to me, ‘O our God, we acknowledge you!’ But Israel has rejected what is good; an enemy will pursue him… With their silver and gold they make idols for themselves to their own destruction… How long will they be incapable of purity? … They sow the wind and reap the whirlwind. The stalk has no head; it will produce no flour. Were it to yield grain, foreigners would swallow it up.”
REAP WHAT YOU SOW
Job 4:8 As I have observed, those who plough evil and those who sow trouble reap it.
Prov 1:31 they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.
Prov 22:8 Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity,
and the rod they wield in fury will be broken.
Hosea 10:13 But you have planted
wickedness, you have reaped evil, you have
eaten the fruit of deception.
REAP WHAT YOU SOW
Self-seeking
Haman is a type of the fleshly nature and by extension, the natural fleshly orientated man. For such a person, everything revolves around the here and now and there is no wisdom seen in living for the life to come. 1
DEFINITION OF SELF-SEEKING:
having concern for one’s own welfare and interests before those of others.
synonyms: self-interested, self-serving, self-obsessed, self-absorbed
1 jesusplusnothing.com/ studies/ online/ Esther6.htm
SELF-SEEKING
Julian Huxley was committed to an evolutionary humanism. He believed:
“Man’s most sacred duty and at the same time his most glorious opportunity, is to promote the maximum fulfilment of the evolutionary process on this earth; and this includes the
fullest realization of
his own inherent
possibilities.” 1
Sadly some people present
that same message as “the
gospel” today.
1 J. Huxley, Religion without Revelation, p. 194.
SELF-SEEKING
Two friends meeting in a restaurant each ordered a steak. After a while the waiter returned with two pieces of steak, a large and a small one, on the same plate. One of the men proceeded to serve his friend, putting the small piece on a plate and handing it across the table.
“Well, you certainly have got nerve!” exclaimed his friend.
“What’s the matter?” asked the other.
He answered. “You’ve given me the little piece of steak and kept the big one for yourself.”
“How would you have done it?”
the man asked.
His friend answered, “If I
were serving, I would have
given you the big piece.”
“Well,” replied the man, “Don’t
worry. I’ve already got it, haven’t I?”
SELF-CENTRED
Did you notice how Haman’s life and
conversation revolve around himself?
When he is speaking to his friends and
family the conversation is always
focussed around how well or how bad
he is doing.
He is consumed by Mordecai
because he doesn’t appear to
give him the attention or
respect that is due to him.
He even makes decisions that
will impact an empire or entire people groups, based on what will benefit him personally, or to satisfy his own private desire for vengeance.
SELF-CENTRED
How To Be Miserable
Think about yourself. Talk about yourself.
Use “I” as often as possible.
Listen greedily to what people say about you.
Always bring the conversation back to yourself
and your interests.
Demand agreement with your own views on everything.
British actor Michael Wilding was once asked if actors had any traits which set them apart from other human beings. “Without a doubt,” he replied. “You can pick out actors by the glazed look that comes into their eyes when the conversation wanders away from themselves.”
SELF-CENTRED
How To Be Miserable
Be suspicious. Trust nobody but
yourself. Be jealous and envious.
Be sensitive to slights. Never
forgive a criticism.
Expect to be appreciated.
Insist on consideration and respect.
Sulk if people are not grateful to
you for favours shown them.
Never forget a service you have rendered.
Shirk your duties if you can. Do as little as possible for others.
SELF-CENTRED
1 Cor 13:4-5 Love … is not self-seeking…
A person who demands his own way,
who tramples on others’ rights for
the sake of upholding his own, or
who insists on having his due is not
showing love. Love is considerate of
others, always. The one who loves is
willing to forgo recognition and lay down
his rights for the sake of the loved
one. Jesus showed love in this
way: He “did not come to be served,
but to serve, and to give his life as
a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).
No self-seeking there. 1
1 gotquestions.org/ love-is-not-self-seeking.html
SELF-SEEKING
Phil 2:3-7 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Your attitude should
be the same as that
of Christ Jesus: Who,
being in very nature
God, did not consider
equality with God
something to be
grasped, but made
himself nothing, taking
the very nature of a
servant, being made
in human likeness.
SELF-SEEKING
Application: Are you like Haman, so caught up in self and material gain that you do not realise that your day of ruin is so close?
Many people are self-seeking and spend their lives chasing money, possessions and fame, only to find that being consumed by those things leads to their downfall!
Rom 2:8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.
Gal 5:19-21 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious… selfish ambition … and the like. I warn you… that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
God sends no one away empty except those who are full of themselves. - D. L. Moody.
APPLICATION
Returning to the Biblical concept that you reap what you sow, we see that Haman (the flesh) reaped what he sowed. The very execution he planned for his enemy – was the instrument of his own death.
Gal 6:7-8 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
APPLICATION
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