A night of discovery (Es. 6:1–5)

1 That night the king could not sleep. So one was commanded to bring the book of the records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king. 2 And it was found written that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs, the doorkeepers who had sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. 3 Then the king said, “What honor or dignity has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?” And the king’s servants who attended him said, “Nothing has been done for him.” 4 So the king said, “Who is in the court?” Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the king’s palace to suggest that the king hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him. 5 The king’s servants said to him, “Haman is there, standing in the court.” And the king said, “Let him come in.”

I. The king’s insomnia (Es. 6:1a).

a. Shakespeare wrote, “Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.” Was it the cares of state that kept the king awake? Was he worried about his finances? Was he puzzled about the queen’s mysterious request?

b. Some or all of these worries may have played a part in the king’s wakefulness, but behind them was the sovereign hand of the living God who watches over His people and never slumbers or sleeps. God wanted the king to stay awake because He had something to tell him.

II. The king’s choice of entertainment (Es. 6:1b).

a. Ahasuerus wasn’t at a loss for sources of entertainment! He has the kingdom at his finger tips. He could have called the Queen, he could have called a concubine from the harem, or he might have brought in the court musicians to play for him. He and his guards could have played a game together, or he might have asked for a troubadour to entertain him with a ballad. His decision to have a book read to him was certainly of God.

b. Can God direct us even in such minor matters as our recreations? He certainly can. Never underestimate the extraordinary things God can do through an ordinary event.

III. The servant’s choice of books (Es. 6:1c).

a. God directed Ahasuerus to ask for the kingdom chronicles to be read to him. But God also directed that the servant take from the shelf the very book that recorded Mordecai’s service to the king five years before. Certainly there were other volumes available, but that’s the one the servant selected.

b. Can God direct in the books that people pick up and read? Yes, He can. The king’s servant picked out the very book that told about Mordecai’s good deed and read that section to Ahasuerus. How marvelous is the providence of God!

IV. The king’s delay in rewarding Mordecai (Es. 6:2–3).

a. If Mordecai been honored five years before, the events of this critical day could not have occurred. Rewards and punishments were basic to the Persian system of maintaining loyalty, and it was unusual for meritorious service not to be rewarded. Then why was Mordecai’s good deed written down but forgotten?

b. Is God in charge of schedules? He certainly is! God was in charge and already had the day selected for Mordecai to be honored. It has often been said that “God’s delays are not God’s denials.” We sometimes get impatient and wonder why the wicked are prospering while the righteous are suffering, but God is never in a hurry.

V. The timely arrival of Haman (Es. 6:4-5).

a. It’s possible that Haman had been up all night, enjoying the supervision of the construction of the gallows. Mordecai. It was very early in the morning, but Haman wanted to see the king as soon as possible and get permission for the execution. Mordecai’s body would be on exhibition all day, and this would delight Haman and also put fear into the hearts of the Jews in the city.

b. Suppose Haman had arrived two hours later? The king would have consulted with other advisers, and Haman would have been left out of the celebration for Mordecai. God wanted Haman to spend the day honoring Mordecai and not gloating over Mordecai’s corpse on the gallows. God was actually warning Haman that he’d better change course or he would end up being destroyed.

When you review these evidences of the providence of God, you can’t help but want to praise and thank Him for the great God that He is. “The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect.