Thoughts: Hannah's Blog

In the book of Esther, Chapter 2 – Mordecai uncovered a conspiracy about the King’s assassination. He promptly informed Esther, the Queen, who in turn informed the King, giving credit to Mordecai. The King investigated the matter and found it to be true and put an end to the conspiracy. This incident was put in writing. But note that the King did not give any credit or honor to Mordecai.

Three chapters later, (not sure how many days or months later) in chapter 6, we see that the King could not sleep. So he asked for the records to be read. And there he read about how Mordecai had saved his life and how he was not recognized or appreciated for his good work and goes on to honor him. We might think Mordecai was rewarded late, but in those 3 chapters, there is a whole conspiracy being formed – not just against Mordecai but against his people as a whole. This time the conspirator was Haman.

Haman wanted to hang Mordecai, He had everything planned – the gallows were built and ready, all he needed to do was, to have a talk with the King and get his approval and he was going to the King for that. But God had a different plan – He wanted to honor Mordecai! And He chose this exact time to do so because, may be if Mordecai had been honored earlier – it might have been done in a small way and all would have been forgotten by the time Haman went to the King to complain about Mordecai. But how beautifully God orchestrates the timing and the way that Mordecai is to be honored! – By none other than Haman himself! and the idea of how he is to be honored was also Haman’s!

The verse says, “Now Haman thought to himself, “Who is there that the King would rather honor than me?“” – perfect example of “Pride comes before a fall” I can quite imagine how Haman’s face would have turned red when the King replied: “Go and do whatever you recommended to Mordecai”(Haman’s worst enemy) He hurried home in grief, covering his face and that is when he knew his downfall has started. Right after that he was called for Esther’s banquet. And we all know what happened after that.

Things I learned from this : We should not think too highly of ourselves because – “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” –  (Proverbs 16:18). Another is not to worry when righteous acts are not rewarded but to trust in God’s timing – He sees everything and he knows when is the right time to reward. He is the master planner! “He has made everything beautiful in its time….God will bring into judgment both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a time to judge every deed” –  (Ecclesiastes 3:11,17) and finally, He is the one who is capable of turning the King’s heart (after all, He IS the King of Kings!) – “In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him“. –  (Proverbs 21:1) He did not let the King go to sleep until His plan was accomplished. God is in control!