Mordecai Honored by King Xerxes
February 15, 2019
Commentary
God often accomplished some of His deepest work in the hearts of men, as they lay awake upon their beds at night. As this chapter unfolds, we see how King Ahasuerus’ sleeplessness proved to be the turning point in the fortunes of Haman and Mordecai as well as the tide of circumstances for the Jewish race. How many deeds have you done for which you felt insufficiently rewarded? When the king could not sleep, he asked that the history books of his reign be brought and read in his presence (v.1). When the servants read to him about Mordecai’s good deed of revealing a plot that saved his life, he questioned them as to how Mordecai had been rewarded (v. 2). When they said nothing, he called Haman into his room (vv. 3-5).
Without revealing who he was talking about, the king asked Haman how he should honor someone in whom he delights (v. 6). Thinking this person was himself, he told the king that this person should be paraded through the streets, dressed in the king’s clothes and riding on the king’s horse (vv. 7-9). The king thought this was a great idea, so he ordered Haman to march Mordecai, the Jew, through the streets honoring him (vv. 10-11). Haman had built gallows to hang Mordecai on and had come to the palace early that morning to ask the king for permission to carry out this plan. suddenly he had to honor this man. Mordecai returned to his duties in the king’s palace, and Haman hurried home to hide his face in shame (v. 12). Haman’s wife told him his time was up (v. 13) and he went to Esther’s dinner (v. 14).
Application
Every event in my life is not merely coincidence but the result of God’s sovereign will for my life.
Esther 6:1– 14 (NET)
1 Throughout that night the king was unable to sleep, so he asked for the book containing the historical records to be brought. As the records were being read in the king’s presence, 2 it was found written that Mordecai had disclosed that Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs who guarded the entrance, had plotted to assassinate King Ahasuerus.
3 The king asked, “What great honor was bestowed on Mordecai because of this?” The king’s attendants who served him responded, “Not a thing was done for him.”
4 Then the king said, “Who is that in the courtyard?” Now Haman had come to the outer courtyard of the palace to suggest that the king hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had constructed for him. 5 The king’s attendants said to him, “It is Haman who is standing in the courtyard.” The king said, “Let him enter.”
6 So Haman came in, and the king said to him, “What should be done for the man whom the king wishes to honor?” Haman thought to himself, “Who is it that the king would want to honor more than me?” 7 So Haman said to the king, “For the man whom the king wishes to honor, 8 let them bring royal attire which the king himself has worn and a horse on which the king himself has ridden—one bearing the royal insignia. 9 Then let this clothing and this horse be given to one of the king’s noble officials. Let him then clothe the man whom the king wishes to honor, and let him lead him about through the plaza of the city on the horse, calling before him, ‘So shall it be done to the man whom the king wishes to honor!’”
10 The king then said to Haman, “Go quickly! Take the clothing and the horse, just as you have described, and do as you just indicated to Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate. Don’t neglect a single thing of all that you have said.”
11 So Haman took the clothing and the horse, and he clothed Mordecai. He led him about on the horse throughout the plaza of the city, calling before him, “So shall it be done to the man whom the king wishes to honor!”
12 Then Mordecai again sat at the king’s gate, while Haman hurried away to his home, mournful and with a veil over his head. 13 Haman then related to his wife Zeresh and to all his friends everything that had happened to him. These wise men, along with his wife Zeresh, said to him, “If indeed this Mordecai before whom you have begun to fall is Jewish, you will not prevail against him. No, you will surely fall before him!”
14 While they were still speaking with him, the king’s eunuchs arrived. They quickly brought Haman to the banquet that Esther had prepared.