Esther 6: The Anticipated Ascendency of Mordecai

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Esther 6 (ESV)

1 On that night the king could not sleep. And he gave orders to bring the book of memorable deeds, the chronicles, and they were read before the king. 2 And it was found written how Mordecai had told about Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs, who guarded the threshold, and who had sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. 3 And the king said, “What honor or distinction has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?” The king’s young men who attended him said, “Nothing has been done for him.” 4 And the king said, “Who is in the court?” Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the king’s palace to speak to the king about having Mordecai hanged on the gallows that he had prepared for him. 5 And the king’s young men told him, “Haman is there, standing in the court.” And the king said, “Let him come in.” 6 So Haman came in, and the king said to him, “What should be done to the man whom the king delights to honor?” And Haman said to himself, “Whom would the king delight to honor more than me?” 7 And Haman said to the king, “For the man whom the king delights to honor, 8 let royal robes be brought, which the king has worn, and the horse that the king has ridden, and on whose head a royal crown is set. 9 And let the robes and the horse be handed over to one of the king’s most noble officials. Let them dress the man whom the king delights to honor, and let them lead him on the horse through the square of the city, proclaiming before him: ‘Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor.’ ” 10 Then the king said to Haman, “Hurry; take the robes and the horse, as you have said, and do so to Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate. Leave out nothing that you have mentioned.” 11 So Haman took the robes and the horse, and he dressed Mordecai and led him through the square of the city, proclaiming before him, “Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor.”

12 Then Mordecai returned to the king’s gate. But Haman hurried to his house, mourning and with his head covered. 13 And Haman told his wife Zeresh and all his friends everything that had happened to him. Then his wise men and his wife Zeresh said to him, “If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of the Jewish people, you will not overcome him but will surely fall before him.”

14 While they were yet talking with him, the king’s eunuchs arrived and hurried to bring Haman to the feast that Esther had prepared.

Introduce

Much like chapter 4, chapter 5 ended with a cliffhanger. Esther had one favor with the king. The king had promised to grant her a great request. She had laid a snare for Haman. The king and Haman would come to a second banquet the following day where the trap on Haman would be sprung.

However, with the help of his wife, Haman had come up with a more speedy way to rid himself of Mordecai than wait 11 months until the edict to destroy the Jews went into effect. He had gallows built afternoon after the first banquet with Esther and planned to have Mordecai hung before the second. Would Esther’s plan be too late? Would she not be able to save her older cousin? Would salvation come from another place? Upon reading our text, the answer to all three questions is yes.

That said, a more foundational question applicable to everyone everywhere, including you, is answered by our text. Who is in control? Before I answer this question explicitly and apply the answer to us all, there are four things you need to consider from the story.

Retell

At the beginning, consider Ahasuerus’ seasonable insomnia (1-3).

Later the same evening of Esther’s first banquet with the king and Haman, the king’s sleep fled. What put the king’s sleep to flight? We are not told explicitly. Esther 6:1-3 is the pivot point of the whole book. Up to this point, the fortune of Jews and Mordecai only seems to have gotten worse. Even though we noticed that Esther had found favor with the king in the last chapter, she had not yet mediated for her people. At the end of that chapter, we see that her plan to make her request at a banquet the following day might be too late. Haman had 75 foot high gallows constructed and planned to ask the king to have Mordecai hung upon them first thing in the morning. Mordecai would be dead before Esther could even mediate on behalf of him. But, behold, God’s deliverance would come from another place (Esther 4:13-14). It would come through His secret providence. It would come through the timely or seasonable insomnia of king Ahasuerus.

In response to His sleep fleeing, the king had the book of memorable deeds brought before him and read allowed. Though the deeds in such a book would have been memorable, the style in which they were presented was not. It was a catalog of victories won, lands conquered, and tributes imposed. It would have been about as riveting as reading a printer manual or tax codes. Perhaps he hoped he would catch the sleep that had run away from him by having this book read. However, it just so happens that he did not catch his sleep. Instead, he caught the story of how Mordecai had foiled a plot upon his life years earlier. When two of the king’s eunuchs conspired to kill the king, Mordecai exposed their conspiracy by telling Esther. Was he rewarded immediately? No. His deed was recorded in an ancient version of a sleeping pill and forgotten.

After the king heard of this wonderful deed by Mordecai, he asked, “What honor or distinction has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?” His servants informed him that nothing had been done.

At this point, you have considered Ahasuerus’ seasonable insomnia. That said, what would the king do in response to this new information?

To answer, consider Haman’s smug indiscretion (4-9).

The king had decided it was time to honor Mordecai, the man who saved his life. He asked who was in the court. Haman just so happened to enter the outer court of the king’s palace. He came to enact the plan Zeresh, his wife, had given him. This plan was to hang Mordecai on the 75 foot high gallows. He came to speak to Ahasuerus about hanging Mordecai. He was about to be disappointed. The servants of the king informed him that Haman was in the court. The king then said, “Let him come in.”

Haman entered into the king's presence, and before he could talk about hanging Mordecai, the king asked him a question. Look at verse 6. The king said, “What should be done to the man whom the king delights to honor?” As Haman had done earlier regarding the people he desired to destroy, the king does not say who he delights to honor. Upon hearing the king’s question, Haman thought something in his heart. Look at the rest of verse 6. Haman thought, “Whom would the king delight to honor more than me?” We can understand his reasoning. He had been appointed to the second-highest position in the kingdom. Also, he had just gone to a banquet with the king and queen and had been invited to another. Who could the king possibly delight to honor other than him? No one.

With his internal certainty that it was he who the king desired to honor, Haman replied to the king’s question. Look at verses 7-9. Haman said, “For the man whom the king delights to honor, let royal robes be brought, which the king has worn, and the horse that the king has ridden, and on whose head a royal crown is set. And let the robes and the horse be handed over to one of the king’s most noble officials. Let them dress the man whom the king delights to honor, and let them lead him on the horse through the square of the city, proclaiming before him: ‘Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor.’” In short, Haman wanted to be honored as royalty. He wanted the king’s clothes, horse, and crown. He wanted to have the noblest official, second to him, of course, lead him and the horse through the city proclaiming his greatness. He wanted the dignity and respect of the world empire to the same extent as the one who ruled it. In a way similar to Adam and Eve, Haman desired to be like that which was superior to him. They wanted to be like God, knowing good and evil. Haman wanted to be like the king, knowing praise and prestige.

I labeled this point Haman’s smug indiscretion. Can you see it? Do you notice it? He is smug, and his smugness has led him to indiscretion. Thinking himself to be great, he walked right into a divinely set trap. As Solomon says, “pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). Haman has unwittingly stumbled into what foreshadows his own destruction.

At this point, we have considered Ahasuerus’ seasonable insomnia and Haman’s smug indiscretion. What else should we consider?

Also, consider Mordecai’s sanctified importance (10, 11).

Haman, at this point, is ready to be given what he had suggested the king do for the man he delights to honor. However, his expectations are not met. Look at verse 10. The king said, “Hurry; take the robes and the horse as you have said and do so to Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate. Leave out nothing you have mentioned.” Instead of being honored by the king, Haman would have to honor Mordecai, whom he had come to humiliate by hanging on gallows. Instead of having his nemesis killed, Haman would have to clothe him in royal garments, sit him on the royal steed, and shout about how Mordecai and not him is the man that the king delights to honor.

This disappointment is like the child who picks up a big box on Christmas morning, though on a much grander scale. They quickly unwrap it to see a box with a picture of the toy they most desire. However, when they open the actual box, they find not the toy pictured but clothes. What a disappointment.

Haman could not disobey the king, so he did for Mordecai all that he had expected to be done to him. He paraded him with the king’s horse and clothed in the king’s clothes through the city and shouted in verse 11, “Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor.”

Mordecai has been set apart as important. He had been sanctified as the important man the king delighted to honor. You have considered Ahasuerus seasonable insomnia, Haman’s smug indiscretion, and Mordecai’s sanctified importance. What is the last thing you should consider from this story?

Lastly, consider Zeresh’s startling indication (12-14).

Mordecai returned to the king’s gate. In shame and grief, Haman hurried home with his head covered. My, my, a reversal has taken place. A few chapters ago, when Mordecai was clothed in sackcloth and grieving attire, Haman drank with the king. Now Mordecai is at the king’s gate, having just been publically honored by the king. Haman is humiliated. Yet, Haman’s situation was about to get worse. He told his wife and all his friends what had happened to him.

With the wisemen, his wife Zeresh had sensed a change in fortune. Look at verse 13. They told him, “If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of the Jewish people, you will not overcome him but will surely fall before him.” This prediction is the startling indication of Zeresh. Sometimes even those who are not God’s people can sense that something is different about them, and some force is at work who protects them. Perhaps Zeresh and the wisemen knew a bit of the history of God’s people. And now, they observed the sudden change of events concerning Mordecai being honored ahead of Haman. Putting these two things together, they sensed the hard truth that Haman was about fall before the man he so desired to destroy. In their eyes, these pesky Jews could not ultimately be defeated. They had observed as Mordecai proclaimed to Esther earlier. Deliverance would come from someplace.

Such a prediction, is not the only time a person outside of God’s people observed God’s special care for His people. Rahab had declared that the enemies of the Jews melt before them and their God (Joshua 2:11). Darius had proclaimed that God’s kingdom would never be destroyed and his people would be delivered (Daniel 6:26, 27). Balam had prophesied the victory of Israel over the Amalekites, along with many others who stood against God’s people (Numbers 24:20). Here Zeresh and the wisemen likewise see the writing on the wall. The one who is in Mordecai the Jew is greater than the one in Haman the Amalekite (1 John 4:4).

So overcome with grief and shame, Haman had forgotten about his second banquet with the king and queen. Upon hearing of his impending doom, the king’s eunuchs came and hurried to bring him to the feast Esther had prepared. Maybe, his spirits would be raised by dining with the king in queen. Probably not. More on that next time.

Transition

Now that you have considered Ahasuerus’ seasonable insomnia, Haman’s smug indiscretion, Mordecai’s sanctified importance, and Zeresh’s startling indication, we may answer with certainty the question I posed at the beginning. Who is in control? The answer is God is in control. This point is the big idea. Our story, though subtly, declares this truth that purveys the whole of Esther and the rest of the Bible. God ultimately is the one orchestrating events like the sleepless night of the king or placing people in powerful positions like Esther to accomplish the end of preserving His people and fulfilling His promises.

Elsewhere the Bible informs us that God is in the heavens and does whatever He pleases (Psalm 115:3), He reigns (Psalm 93:1; 97:1; 99:1), He created and sustains all things by His power and might (Psalm 104:19-20), and He sits enthroned over everything (Psalm 29:10; Psalm 103:19). Moreover, both the prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah declare that God is in control of both good and bad, light and darkness, calamity and well-being (Isaiah 45:7; Lamentations 3:37). Salvation belongs to Him (Jonah 2:9; Romans 9:18; Ephesians 1:3-14). The plans of man are subject to him (Proverbs 16:9). Even the hearts of kings are turned like streams of water are in God’s hand according to His will (Proverbs 21:1). The last two points are confirmed through the failed plans of Haman and the insomnia of Ahasuerus.

God is in control. This truth must be understood, but it must also be responded to appropriately. Allow me to state two such responses.

Apply

1. God is in control, so trust His promises.

In Genesis, God promised Abraham a people, place, protection, and a program of blessing (Genesis 12:1-3; 15:1-7, 13-14, 18-21; 17:1-8). This quad promise passed from Abraham to Isaac to Jacob to Jacob’s offspring, the nation of Israel. It is in the background of what is happening in Esther. It is the soil for Mordecai’s faith in 4:13-14. It is the reason that God puts the king’s sleep to flight and that the king discovers that Mordecai had not been appropriately rewarded. The deliverance of God’s people isn’t dependent upon their faith but upon His faithfulness. That said, God’s people have every reason to have faith and to trust His promises. Rather than hanging on 75-foot tall gallows, Mordecai is honored by the man who would have him hanged.

Mordecai avoided the curse of hanging on a tree, but who he pointed toward did not. Jesus, like Mordecai, had enemies who desired his blood and humiliation. They got what they wanted, or so they thought. In the end, Jesus’ humiliating death on that cursed tree would result in His exaltation and the salvation of His people. The nation's blessing seed that God had promised Abraham came, He lived, He died, He rose, He ascended, He sat, He intercedes, He sent His Holy Spirit, and He will return. As God always does, He kept His promises. The Savior of the world is the Lord Jesus Christ, the seed of Abraham that leads many sons of both Jewish and Gentile descent to glory.

Christian and Vista Baptist Church, look at how our God is faithful. He protected His people from powerful enemies in the past. He kept His promise to preserve them and bring the Messiah through them. He humiliated Haman. Furthermore, do you see that nothing can stop our God from fulfilling His promises to us? He not only controls the big things. He is not only at works in grand miracles like the dividing of the red sea or the resurrection. He even controls the sleep of kings. He even guides what we might perceive to be coincidences to His good and perfect ends. In Christ, we have the forgiveness of sins, eternal life, communion with God, everlasting hope, the seal of the Holy Spirit, and more. Nothing can take any of God’s promises from us in Christ. They are all yes and amen. So, trust God’s promises whether your children wander, your spouse continues in unbelief, your fails, your friend or loved one dies, your country and culture deteriorate, your political party losses, your bank account empties, and your death approaches. Nothing can separate you from God’s love in Christ Jesus. Nothing can stop Him from working all things together for God.

Unbeliever, what shall I say to you about God’s promises? I suppose I shall say that they do not belong to you, so long as you continue in unbelief. There is only one way to have the forgiveness of sins, eternal life, communion with God, everlasting hope, the seal of the Holy Spirit, and more. It is the Lord Jesus Christ. Receive Him, and His salvation and the promises of God will likewise be yes and amen for you.

God is in control, so trust His promises.

2. God is in control, so terminate your pride.

In Esther 6, we begin to see even more clearly that “pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). The nations plot in vain. Rulers set themselves against God and His people. However, it is God who reigns. He will bring judgment upon all who stand against Him and His Anointed (Psalm 2). Those who curse God’s people receive God’s curse. Those who set themselves against God reap destruction.

Vista Baptist Church, there is only one God, the Triune God. There is only one Lord and King of the Church, the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, let us remember that we are humble beggars. We have nothing to offer God that He does not have in Himself. Let us operate as a church that seeks not clever, innovative methods or people-pleasing. Let us operate as a church that operates under the authority of the Lord Jesus and His Word. Our governance, worship, and ministries must always remain under Him and His authority. We cannot do better than what He has commanded. Jesus’ way for a local church is better than any way you or I could come up with. Thus, let us always search the Scriptures, devote ourselves to prayer, and reform all our beliefs and practices to His instruction.

Christian, realize from this passage that you are a humble beggar—subjected to many forces that are beyond your control. You are perpetually limited in your abilities. You need food. You need sleep. You have 24 hours every day like everyone else. You are not superman or superwoman. You are not Jesus. You are not God. God’s plans are not ultimately dependent upon you, your faith, or your faithfulness. We do not serve the Lord because He needs us. We do not evangelize because He needs us. We serve the Lord, and we evangelize because He has invited us to do so and because we have every reason to do so. We are sinners saved by grace. Therefore, I charge you to sometimes say no to people, fulfill your various responsibilities, sleep your needed amount, and realize that you are not God.

If you need help terminating your pride, reflect on God’s attributes. You may be strong but not omnipotent. You may be smart but not omniscient. You are not infinite. You are limited. You are not perfect. You are imperfect. You are not inherently righteous. You have the imputed righteousness from another. You are not inherently Holy. You are being made holy by God. In short, you may be great relative to those around you, but compared to God, you are small. Also, reflect upon the Lord Jesus, His person, and His work. He, being God the Son, had to become man, live in righteousness, die as a substitute, raise on the third day, ascended to God’s right hand, intercede on your behalf, and will return, so you, who by nature are a dead God-hating sinner, could be saved. And He did all that willingly and with love.

Unbeliever, you cannot terminate your pride until you see God in His infinite majesty and perfect holiness. Moreover, you cannot terminate your pride until you see and believe in Christ Jesus. You are but dust. You are dependent in so many ways. You are a vile sinner deserving of judgment. You are without hope and God. You will die, and you will come into judgment. Your only escape is the God who you hate and His Son who He sent. Do not hang on a cursed tree that you have built others when you can look to Christ who hanged on a tree for sinners like you. In short, do not be Haman, or else you will die like Him.

Conclude

I have reminded you today that God is in control. I have charged you to trust His promises and terminate your pride. Both the reminder and the charges have come from what we considered in the story, namely Ahasuerus’s seasonable insomnia, Haman’s smug indiscretion, Mordecai’s sanctified importance, and Zeresh’s startling indication. Our cliffhanger has been resolved. Salvation came from another place for Mordecai. It came from God, who is in control. You, me, the government, big business, and everyone else are not in control. My hope and prayer is that you are on God’s side. Therefore, trust His promises and terminate your pride. May He help us all do so. Let’s pray.