Esther 7 - Honor Uproots Evil

God uses his people in his plan to thwart evil.

Haman hated the Jews, and he was in a position to do something about it. Around 480 B.C.E., Haman was the second-most powerful man in the vast Persian Empire. He hated the Jews because for 1,000 years, his people - the Amalekites - had hated the Jews and tried to wipe them out, each time thwarted by the protecting hand of God. Now Haman was positioned to turn the tables on the Jews. No one gets to be the second-in-command of a vast kingdom like that without some inside help, and I suspect Haman had help from a hand he never saw.

Haman loved being powerful, rich, and recognized. He loved it when King Xerxes made him rich beyond his imagination, and he loved it when Xerxes ordered that everyone in the kingdom should bow down when Haman passed by. He especially loved it when one day, he persuaded Xerxes to “destroy, kill, and annihilate” an entire bothersome race of people within his kingdom, without ever telling Xerxes who they were. Jews - whether they lived in Egypt, Jerusalem, Asia Minor, or on the far frontier of India - were doomed to die on one day, 11 months later. Haman loved it.

Haman hated one Jew more than all others - Mordecai. He hated Mordecai because he was a Jew. He hated Mordecai because there was ancient bad blood between them: each of their forefathers had been kings, and Haman’s forefather, Agag, had been humiliated and then ingloriously killed. Haman hated Mordecai because Mordecai refused to bow when Haman passed by.

Haman knew just about everything that happened in the palace, but there were some things he didn’t know. Haman didn’t know, for example, that Xerxes’ new queen Esther was a Jew. He didn’t know that she had been raised by her cousin Mordecai. He didn’t know (or care) that after hearing about the edict ordering their elimination, the Jews had barraged heaven with hungry prayers for God’s help for three days and nights. Haman didn’t know how closely the almighty God listens to the prayers of his people for salvation.

So when Esther invited him to a private banquet with just herself and the king, he went home and bragged about it. He bragged about his vast wealth and his ten sons and how the king had elevated him above everyone else in the empire. He also determined that he had had enough of Mordecai. The very next morning, he would ask Xerxes to pass down a death sentence. Haman even had a 75-foot pointed pole erected on which he would impale Mordecai, his hated enemy.

What Haman didn’t know was that night, King Xerxes couldn’t sleep, and that finally he ordered someone to read to him from the annals of his reign. What should come up but the story of the time Mordecai saved his life? “Did we ever do anything to honor that guy?” the king asked. “Nope, never did,” his executive assistant replied. At that very moment, even though it was the crack of dawn, Haman was waiting outside to ask permission to kill Mordecai before lunch. Xerxes asks the arrogant Haman, “What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?” Haman, of course, assumed the king had him in mind, but the next thing he knew, he was leading Mordecai through the streets of Susa on the king’s own horse, with Mordecai in the king’s own robe, shouting, “This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!” It was the ultimate indignity. It just about killed Haman - just about.

This incident was like that moment on a roller coaster when after a long, steep climb, you finally reach the crest and feel your stomach turn. Look at what happens when Haman gets home this time in Esther 6:13b “ His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, “Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has started, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him—you will surely come to ruin!””

Then in Esther 7 we see the fulfillment of Haman’s honor turning into shame. Join me as we read God’s word together from Esther 7

Esther 7 NIV

1 So the king and Haman went to Queen Esther’s banquet, 2 and as they were drinking wine on the second day, the king again asked, “Queen Esther, what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.” 3 Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favor with you, Your Majesty, and if it pleases you, grant me my life—this is my petition. And spare my people—this is my request. 4 For I and my people have been sold to be destroyed, killed and annihilated. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king.” 5 King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, “Who is he? Where is he—the man who has dared to do such a thing?” 6 Esther said, “An adversary and enemy! This vile Haman!” Then Haman was terrified before the king and queen. 7 The king got up in a rage, left his wine and went out into the palace garden. But Haman, realizing that the king had already decided his fate, stayed behind to beg Queen Esther for his life. 8 Just as the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet hall, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was reclining. The king exclaimed, “Will he even molest the queen while she is with me in the house?” As soon as the word left the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face. 9 Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs attending the king, said, “A pole reaching to a height of fifty cubits stands by Haman’s house. He had it set up for Mordecai, who spoke up to help the king.” The king said, “Impale him on it!” 10 So they impaled Haman on the pole he had set up for Mordecai. Then the king’s fury subsided.

Esther’s moment has arrived and she wastes no time. She is forced to tread a thin line in order to accuse Haman without explicitly implicating Xerxes. Notice how Esther’s words are poetic and climactic. In a scene where all three of them are wining an dining, the shock value must have been high.

She passionately asks her king, in his mercy and favor, to protect a people - her people. For the first time in the entire book, Esther reveals her nationality and identifies herself with her people’s plight. Here is where Mordecai’s challenge to her earlier in the story becomes reality - “If I have found favor with you, Your Majesty, and if it pleases you, grant me my life—this is my petition. And spare my people—this is my request.”

One of the striking characteristics of Esther’s reply to Xerxes is that in so few words she manages to say so much. Repeating the same words of the edict Haman had written, “to be destroyed, killed, and annihilated.” She is able to courageously come before the short-tempered, egocentric king and plead her case precisely and with urgency.

I have stood before military commanders, academic presidents, and CEO’s. Rarely in my life have I been able to plead my case precisely and with urgency like Esther. More often than not, I stumble my way through the case I am making - feeling like a fool - and replaying the events over in my head again later that evening.

But Esther doesn’t stumble. She is cool, calm, and collected in the face of death before this ruler.

And I imagine that Esther, who knows her heritage, her culture, and people - must of considered the words of God to Joshua. Joshua 1:9 “ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.””

“Esther, be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you...”

“Bill, be strong and courageous. Do fear; do not be discouraged, for I, your God, am with you...”

“Darlene, be strong and courageous. Fear not; be encouraged, for I am with you...”

“Corey, be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you...”

The original language shows us that though Esther was calm, Xerxes was not. He was caught off guard, he hesitated at her words. Turn with me to Esther 7:5

Esther 7:5 NIV

5 King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, “Who is he? Where is he—the man who has dared to do such a thing?”

Xerxes stuttered. The original language literally reads, “King Xerxes said and said to Queen Esther.” A double appearance implies hesitation on the part of the speaker. Xerxes stuttered. He had been fooled and he now needs to put distance between himself - the ultimate authority behind the edict - and the edict’s designer, Haman.

Esther wastes no time in answering the king’s questions. She yells “An adversary and enemy! This vile Haman!” She goes for the jugular - attacking Haman’s role and character, showing that his evil goes beyond his anti-Jewish stance.

This time our narrator leaves us no doubt about Haman’s response: he is literally terrified. A shift has occured. The tables have turned. It is no longer the king and Haman who drink together while the city is in confusion; now the queen stands with the king against his once-trusted servant - and Haman is terrified before them.

We have all been there. We have attempted to do some manipulating to get our way. You have a office-mate who drives you insane, so you devise a plan to get away from them. You buddy up to the manager and you sabotage your co-workers. And before your plan is considered a success, you slip up - the manager reads a scratch pad you accidently left open on the desk with your plan. And now you are terrified before them. It’s a terrible feeling isn’t it? Moments like this remind me that God uses his people in his plan to thwart evil.

We have all been there. When we follow God in faith through the darkest valley and yet somehow make it onto the other side. Advocating for those who are being neglected, abused, and beaten. Teachers in our congregation having to make calls to CPS regarding the constant bruises some of their new students have. God uses his people in his plan to thwart evil.

The Tuskegee Airmen belonged to a 332nd Fighter Group and the 477th Bombardment Group of the U.S. Army Air Corps. The nickname "Red Tails" was coined after the group painted the tails of their aircraft red.

The Tuskegee Airmen became famous for two reasons. First, they were the first African-American military aviators in the United States armed forces. But the Red Tails hold a special significance in American history, not just racially, but militarily.

In the European air war, U.S. bombers were getting shot down at increasingly alarming rates. The problem arose when the enemy attacked. Fighter pilots, protecting the bombers, would leave the bomber to engage enemy aircraft. Though this seemed like the obvious response, it meant leaving the bombers vulnerable to attack. Each lost bomber carried a crew of 10 or 11 Americans.

The Tuskegee Airmen were brought in and given a different strategy: Never leave the bombers. Never. Regardless of what was happening around them. When the enemy attacked, stay the course and defend your charge. The result of their steadfast devotion? Only 25 of the hundreds of bombers they protected during the war were lost. Their stellar reputation became legend: If you flew a bomber, you wanted the Red Tails with you.

The Tuskegee Airmen are celebrated, not just because they were excellent pilots, but because they never wavered from their duty; they never left their charge. No matter what happened, they stayed faithful to their calling.

Just as the Tuskegee Airmen took courage and stayed faithful to their nation to thwart the evils in World War II, Just as Esther took courage to present her request before her king and point out her enemy - then we too must have courage, as people of faith, to know that God will use us in his plan to thwart evil. The evils of domestic violence. Assault. Oppression. Unresolved hurts, pains, and sufferings. God will use you to thwart evil.

This act of our story ends with the villain meeting his doom. It goes from bad to worse for Haman. The narrator tells us that Xerxes got up in a rage - so Haman makes a quick decision to beg Esther for grace.

We do not see it, but Haman committed a critical error in his last ditch effort to save his life - he broke court etiquette. In those days, when speaking with a woman you would not approach closer than seven steps. As Xerxes returns, he immediately jumps to conclusions and accuses Haman of attempting to molest the queen.

All trust has been lost between the king and Haman - as his attempt to be saved is seen by the king as an attempt to assault Esther. This is what ultimately decides Haman’s fate: breaking the court rules - disregarding the king’s honor. There is no opportunity to make a defence, no intervention from the court or Esther. Instead, Haman exchanges places with Mordecai - from honor to dishonor. From life to death, with the authoritative words of the king, “Impale him on it!”

God uses his people in his plan to thwart evil. Where has God placed you in this season to thwart evil in your life, your family, or community? Who has he surrounded you with to help you out sin, vice, and death? God has called you where you are for such a time as this - you are called to respond in faith, to take courage, and trust that God will use you to thwart evil from his kingdom and his church.

Just as Jesus abided in God’s plan to thwart evil in our world through humility, poverty, homelessness. He was accused, suffered, and died for our sins. He rose on the third day. He did all this to thwart evil. To redeem humanity, to bring salvation to the lost, suffering, and broken. To provide righteousness and justice in our fallen world.

And Christ’s command in how we can thwart evil in our age? Matthew 28:19-20 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.””

We can thwart evil through how we respond to the very present evils in our age and through proclaiming the good news to those who are far off. Making disciples, baptizing them (a pledge of allegiance to a greater nation, God’s Kingdom), and teaching them how our good God has overcome the evil one.

Be sure to join us next week as we conclude the Book of Esther and recognize how God is trustworthy in every situation.

Will you pray with me?