Esther 6:
1.On that night could not the king sleep and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before him
2. And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana (Bigthan – margin) and Teresh, two of the king’s chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hands on the king Ahasuerus
3. And the king said, What honour 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.
4. And the king said, Who is in the court? Now Haman was come into the outward court of the king’s house, to speak unto the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him
5. And the king’s servants said unto him, Behold, Haman standeth in the court. And the king said, Let him come in
Previously, we learnt that Haman who had ordered pogrom against the Jews in Persia and Media kingdom and who was a murderous hater of Mordecai had prepared gallows fifty cubits high on which to hang his enemy. And why did he pick hatred against Mordecai? Because the latter refused to honour his office. As simple and human as this was, God was drawn into the fray. If there’s anything to take away from this book, it’s that nothing is too minute in the affairs of the earthlings for God to be interested in; He’s ready to avenge his saints, says the Lord Jesus Christ, who cry to him day and night.
Evidently, the Creator of the universe has upped this story from the planet earth and centred it to his heavenly place. The three day fast of the Jews has released tremendous faith in the heart of the people that precipitates the divine hand!
Fasting on its own doesn’t work on God but faith does – fasting is a great aid in release of faith; it also slows down the darting about and the restlessness of the heart to hear and see into the spirit realm, especially those who are so gifted. The three day spiritual activities have begun to gather momentum. On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and these were read before the king. This is the night preceding the day gallows have been set up for Mordecai to hang on. It’s not coincidental that the most powerful king on earth should begin to think about and be disturbed by some events that didn’t have much significance when they occurred. Outrightly, sleep of the king flees away. He becomes restless. Then he realizes that peace can only return to him if, and only if, he has the perusal of the book of records. He orders them to be read to him. And the issue of Bigthan and Teresh who wanted the king dead pops out of the book. The king is surprised that nothing was done to appreciate Mordecai who discovered and revealed the plot against the king’s life. Now then is the night of discovery, a night of righting the wrong; a night of doing what ought to have been done long while ago. The king is not ready to delay the necessary correction till the daybreak. He wants it done now. The king wants advice on what to be done for such a patriot as Mordecai. Who would counsel him now? Fortunately for him, the king’s Prime Minister, Haman, is visiting, waiting in the outer court on the matter of Mordecai who must be hanged on Haman’s gallows next day.
You couldn’t a master story writer like the Holy Spirit. Here’s Haman on Mordecai; here’s king Ahasuerus on Mordecai. In this night palace scene, the protagonist of the story is not present! Haman wants the protagonist hanged; the king wants the protagonist honoured, each resolved in himself without the other knowing the thought of the other. The king calls Haman to his presence and tables the burning desire of his heart: to confer honour and glory on one of his most deserving ministers. What shall be done unto the man on whom the king delighteth to honour? And Haman is so sure that he’s that man the king wants to honour. Who could have been more deserving than him! Haman recommends that the Honourable man should be dressed by the most noble prince of the kingdom in a robe which the king had worn and a horse which the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head….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 honour.”
The king orders Haman to be the noble prince of the kingdom who is to do that to whom the king delights to honour, Mordecai! Says the king, “Do not neglect anything you have recommended.” Haman obeys the king but he now knows this is the beginning of his fall, nay his end. After this scene, Mordecai returns to his humble place at the king’s palace gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man, says James, availeth much. Another translation says that the prayers of the righteous makes tremendous power available. Jesus says men always ought to pray.
Not even the greatest Greek poet or playwright could in their highest inspiration pen this human tragedy.
You know, Lord I’m amazed at your moves on the chess board. Now I know why You delayed Mordecai the immediate gratification as soon as he did the kingdom such service. I know now that you were reserving this to the day of war that Your wisdom had strategized even long before the event. This achieved your purpose to write a black buster suspense with raw human lives bleeping Your Divine interest. After the suspense, then the denouement, resolving the complex plot satisfactorily. Oh, I’m glad that You plotted me a masterpiece story that cannot go awry. I’m glad that You keep book of records that comes handy in the days of battle. “Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that upon his name” (Malachai 3:16). I want to fill the pages of the book of remembrance from cover to cover. Oh, I’ve been so configured; I’ve been so wired up. I seek glorious reputation in this book as one who fears the Lord. I do know the book will be opened and then other books.
Help me to walk in Your freedom in Christ, be only conscious of my identification with Him
Thank you Lord
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