Friday, February 7, 2014

Lessons from Esther: What a difference a day makes

10 Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at the king's gate: let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken. 11 Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour. 12 And Mordecai came again to the king's gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered. 13 And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him. 14 And while they were yet talking with him, came the king's chamberlains, and hasted to bring Haman unto the banquet that Esther had prepared. Esther 6: 10-14

Haman has given the king “advice”. Now he is waiting for the king to honor him. Imagine his shock and surprise when the king replies, “Great idea, please go and do all those things to Mordecai, the Jew.”

Haman is mortified. What did the king say? Mordecai, the Jew? He wants me to give all this honor that should be bestowed on me, to Mordecai, the Jew? Haman disapprovingly obeys. He knows better than to speak out to the king. He walks through the city proclaiming the name of Mordecai and shouting through the streets, “This is what is done to the man whom the king delights to honor.”

When the presentation is complete, Mordecai, humbly, goes back to the king’s gate, where he normally sits. Haman, on the other hand, is humiliated, shamed, and totally embarrassed. Haman covers his head in disgrace and runs home.

Haman relays the story to his wife and friends. Basically their reply is, “looks like your days are numbered, the tables have been turned.” While he is feeling the entire weight of the world on his shoulders, a knock is heard at the door. The chamberlains are waiting on Haman to bring him to Queen Esther’s banquet.

One can almost hear Haman’s heart stop for a second. His breath is uneasy and he feels like fainting, but he needs to attend the “feast.”

What will be presented at the banquet? Join me the next time to observe the scene.

Have a blessed day,
Donna

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