really saved his life. This deed had gone unrewarded (6:2, 3). Wicked ly, that same night, unbeknown to anyone else, Haman had a gallows made from which to hang Morde cai (5:14). Do you catch the drama involved in the fact that early the next morn ing Haman was in the king's court? He was going to request permis sion to hang Mordecai. Ahasuerus, however, with the record fresh in his mind, asked first, "What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour?" Ha man conceitedly jumped to the conclusion that he was the one in mind. He asked for everything but the throne (6:6-9). Actually, he was really exalting Mordecai. What must have been his chagrin when the situation was revealed. How surprise and confusion must have lined the face of this evil individual. At the banquet Esther revealed her request as she gives an elo quent plea for her own life as well as for the lives of her people, the Jews (7:2-4). What a tremendous speech in defense of these chosen people. The king was amazed that her life was in jeopardy by Haman. Guilty fear made Haman speech less. As the angry king went into a nearby garden to consider the course of events, Haman rushed to Esther's couch to plead for mercy. In his emotional state he slipped and fell on the queen. This was where he was found when the king returned to pass judgment. Retribution and judgment is a principle of divine administration. Even the wicked are aware of it. Haman was hanged on his own gallows. The lessons we learn are that pride, coupled with the love of power and personal hatred, will
punishable by death. The only pos sibility was the king extending the golden sceptre to her. Mordecai encouraged her to overcome her fears (Esther 4:13-14). She made the request for a three day fast. We cannot help but admire the cour age of this young woman who was willing to die if she could save her people. This was an act of love. Yet Cod, in human flesh in the per son of His own Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, gave His life as a ransom on the cross that He might save us from a far more awful decree of death. Esther testified, "If I perish, I perish." She was delivered but Christ actually died, bearing the penalty for our sin that we might live! Esther dressed in her royal cloth ing to stand before the king's court (5:1). The heart of her husband was moved when he saw her. He ex tended the sceptre of mercy and grace. When asked what her re quest was she answered, "Come to a banquet tomorrow, and then I will make my petition." The cur iosity of Ahasuerus was aroused. Haman had the unstable emo tions of a conceited man. He could change from joy to indignation in a matter of a few moments of time. He was like a powder keg with a short fuse. It is sad today to see some people in our churches who are this way. Haman gathered his fam ily and friends together to boast of his wealth and promi nence. He was not aware of what the invitation to the queen's ban quet would mean for him. That night the king was not able to sleep. Court records were brought in to him. He perused them until the dawning of day when it was found that Mordecai, the Jew, was the one who had
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