Do you suppose Esther ate a lot at this banquet? She had been fasting for 3 days, and was probably quite hungry, but also very anxious. Or maybe she had peace of mind because she knew her God would answer her prayers, and would acknowledge the fast of her nation.
What happened was a prophetic act. Haman would be humbled and Mordecai raised to a higher position. It is interesting here that Zeresh, whether she knew it or not was prophesying the downfall of her husband. She also recognised that the Jewish people were blessed and protected by their God.
These verses always make me smile! Can you imagine the shame Haman was feeling as he obeyed the command from his king? His pride had taken a great battering, and he had completely misunderstood the situation. Several verses in the Bible speak into this situation. Pride is still a problem.
There is much in this short story of Esther about honour, but what does it really mean? For Haman, with his twisted self centred mind, it meant public respect, or promotion. I cannot imagine that when Mordecai received this honour, he appreciated it as much as Haman would have done.
Without doubt God was in this story, and the timing of events is amazing. Why could the king not sleep? How come his counsellor read that particular part of history to him? Why was Haman just there at that moment? Because God … is the only answer to these questions.
The Bible tells us there is wisdom in the advice of others but also clarifies that it must be from good counsellors. How different the plans of Haman would have been if he had got to know Mordecai and his God who gives good advice, wants to bless not curse.
Haman was eaten away by his hatred of Mordecai. Everything he boasted about was true, but he did not know The TRUTH. His view of the situation was 100% wrong! How can people be so wrong? It seems that Haman was his own god. His whole world centred around himself.
What a wise answer Esther gave. She was really trying to arouse the imagination of the King, and getting him to repeat his promise to her of what she could have if she asked. God has amazing promises for each of us, and the Bible gives several examples of this.
The first words of these verses remind us of another thing that happened on the third day. The resurrection of Jesus! In fact this expression occurs more than 40 times in most translations of the Bible, some of those occasions are worth looking at and spiritual comparisons can be made.
Esther was not over enthusiastic about going to see her husband with the request to save all the people whose lives were under threat. She was scared for her own life, knowing what could happen to those who disobey the king. But Mordecai had his answer to her in v14.
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