Haman’s Reversal

Synopsis     Esther 5:11-6:11     11/23/2020 

As he returned home from Queen Esther’s feast, Haman saw Mordecai. And, once again, Mordecai refused to honor him. So, despite all the good things in his life, Haman felt grieved. As a result, Haman spoke to his family and friends. Together, they counseled Haman to erect a tall stake. And they encouraged him to ask the king for permission to execute Mordecai the next day.  

Meanwhile, the king could not sleep. So, Ahasuerus decided to listen to a reading from his court journal. As his assistant read, the reading reminded the king of the time when Mordecai reported an assassination plot against the king. The king realized that Mordecai’s report likely saved his life. So, the king asked about Mordecai. Specifically, he wanted to know if Mordecai had received any reward for his faithfulness. His assistant reported that no one had not given a reward.  

So, the king decided to reward Mordecai. But he wasn’t sure how best to reward him.  

At about the same time, Haman entered the court. So, the king cleverly asked Haman a question. He wanted to know the best way to reward a faithful subject.

But Haman misinterpreted the king’s motive. Not knowing the king’s inquiry was on behalf of Mordecai, Haman thought the king’s reward was for him. So, Haman recommended a reward that he would have enjoyed. Happily, the king agreed to Haman’s idea for the reward. But in a spectacular reversal, he assigned Haman to reward Mordecai. 

As a result, the king forced Haman to honor Mordecai. On the very day that Haman had intended to have him executed, the situation reversed. And so, Haman felt even more deeply grieved and humiliated.  

Haman’s Reversal 

In his desire to destroy another human being, Haman humiliated himself. God protected Mordecai from Haman’s devious plots. And He reversed the humiliation Haman intended for Mordecai. 

Humility: The Antidote for Humiliation 

It is written, “Pride goes before disaster, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov 16:18)  

My best efforts to control other people, assures that I will always have an adversary. And my disposition to glory in my own power or intelligence predisposes my eventual humiliation.  

Only humility and fear of the Lord can protect me from this natural tendency. After all, God is the giver of every good thing. So, it follows that when I recognize God’s gift in the ordinary circumstances of life, He protects me from humiliation.  

“Though they intend evil against you, devising plots, they will not succeed” Psa 21:11