An Executed Scoundrel
1pe•ti•tion \pə-ˈti-shən\ noun
[Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin petition-, petitio, from petere to seek, request — more at FEATHER]
(14th century)
1 : an earnest request : ENTREATY
2 a : a formal written request made to an official person or organized body (as a court)
1re•quest \ri-ˈkwest\ noun
[Middle English requeste, from Middle French, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin requaesta, from feminine of requaestus, past participle of requaerere to require]
(14th century)
1 : the act or an instance of asking for something
2 : something asked for
scoundrel
■ noun a dishonest or unscrupulous person; a rogue.
—DERIVATIVES scoundrelism noun scoundrelly adjective
—ORIGIN 16th century: of unknown origin.
unscrupulous
■ adjective without moral scruples.
—DERIVATIVES unscrupulously adverb unscrupulousness noun
I. A Feast of Rejoicing (5–6)
Keep in mind that Oriental rulers were almost like gods to their people, and their commands, right or wrong, were obeyed. Esther was taking her life in her hands, but she had already put her life into God’s hands.
No sooner did she appear at the entrance to the throne room than the king lifted his golden scepter and called her in! “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord!” (Prov. 21:1) Acting very wisely, Esther did not immediately tell Xerxes her true request.
1 The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD;
He turns it wherever He wishes.
She knew the king’s weakness for food and drink and, with womanly intuition, she prepared him for the important request. Furthermore, she gave Haman a false feeling of security by including him.
But the wise queen delayed another day, and the king yielded to her wishes. Haman went home elated, puffed up with pride that he should enjoy such an exclusive banquet with royalty. But his peace and security were not to last long; like the lost sinner today, Haman was already under condemnation.
Only one thing ruined the day for Haman: he had to see the Jew Mordecai at the gate, and Mordecai refused to bow down to him.
II. A Feast of Reckoning (7)
The conflict between Haman and Mordecai, and the fact of Haman’s eventual downfall, are perfect illustrations of Ps. 37.
The king was not amazed at discovering she was a Jewess. What did amaze him was that such a wicked man should be in his employ! And the king was even more shocked to discover who the enemy was—Haman!
So zealous was Haman in his begging that he fell on the queen’s couch, and this was too much for the king. He commanded the man to be executed, and this was done—on the very tree Haman had prepared for Mordecai! “The righteous is delivered from trouble, and it comes to the wicked stead” (Prov. 11:8).
III. A Feast of Remembering (8–10)
The king did not cancel the old law; he merely gave a new law that superseded it.
They knew that the Persians would not dare to fight them and incur the wrath of the king. In fact, many of the Persians “called themselves Jews” to escape punishment!
Hundreds of the Jews’ enemies were slain, including the ten sons of Haman (9:6–10).
Certainly their enemies would have taken the Jews’ wealth as the king commanded (3:13), but God’s people have to prove themselves
On the fourteenth day of the month, the Jews rested and rejoiced at God’s deliverance.
The book closes reporting the promotion and prosperity of Mordecai, the man of faith who believed God’s promises and dared to act.
The entire Book of Esther is a marvelous testimony of the overruling power and providence of God. Romans 8:28 is illustrated by this book.