2 And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre.
Esther knew the etiquette of how to approach the king. She did as Jesus said, anoint your head and do not appear unto men as you are lacking food. Ester dressed as a beauty queen even though she had a broken spirit. She did not allow her inside to reflect her outside. There is conduct that works between a husband and wife when facing difficulties. I believe God strategically planned every move in this matter. From Mordecai's request, Esther's decision, and the king's purpose in sitting on his royal throne. Timing is God's specialty.
3 Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom.
The king knew it was something that Esther wanted and he wanted to make sure he could provide what she wanted. We are in a powerful position when we are able to meet the need of someone else and have more than mere words during that time. The king had concrete power as well as the authority to change things to make or break a situation over which he had the influence. When we honor those in position to help us, we operate differently. Why did God allow certain people to rule over us? People have the power to rule because it is a part of the structure of God's order of operation. When we have that kind of power we are not to abuse it: however, many of us do.
4 And Esther answered, If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him.
5 Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste, that he may do as Esther hath said. So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared.
6 And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.
7 Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request is;
8 If I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do to morrow as the king hath said.
Esther was granted the first part of her request. She only had wine served in this banquet. The king was intrigued by Esther's conduct. To invite Haman was not offensive to the king and it could have very well been. Since God was turning all heads. The king was being led by a young lady making commands, and the king is responding. The king could have very well said to Esther, I do not have time to play games, get with it! But God is allowing the gallows to be built and everything to be properly placed in order to make His move; all is purposely being positioned for everything to be fitly joined together.
9 Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him, he was full of indignation against Mordecai.
Mordecai did not change his standards even under the threat of death.
Mordecai did not bow and Haman did not like it. If Haman took his dog for a walk, people bowed, if he took his garbage out, people bowed, if he left something in the barn, people who saw him had to bow. This time he was happily leaving the palace and the people bowed. It was the law to bow down to Haman. Why was it a law? No one knows. Haman had just left the presence of the king and his wife and that made him happy. But in the midst of being happy, Haman's joy deflected, and for a moment he lost focus on having been in the royal presence of the highest people of power, in Shushan.
10 Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife.
Haman lost focus for a minute. However, he knew to hide his frustration. He went home and called his friends and his wife to share his day.
11 And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all the things wherein the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king.
Haman had much to brag about. He spoke of his riches, his children, his promotion made by the king, and the power that came along with it. What more can a man desire? I am living on the pinnacle of life. I need absolutely nothing.
12 Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and to morrow am I invited unto her also with the king.
13 Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.
Being asked to dine with king and queen was beyond his expectation. It even added more to the list of things he could boast about. However, there is Mordecai, the man who is revealing my motives, threatening my position, and exposing my intent. He is allowing me to reflect on the real me and I don't like him. Out of all I have achieved, I cannot control this godly man. He reminds me that I am just a mere man.
14 Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made.
Haman's friends and his wife are and behave as he does. All of the people that surrounded him cared nothing for life. They told Haman, Mordecai is nothing, kill him and move on with your merry life. When we diminish the life of others who seem to threaten our childish behaviors, we expose the hatred of people for the love of things. When we put our heart beneath the matter of other's lives we tell the world we are ruthless, sinful, hateful, shameful, dishonest, unrealistic, stubborn, foolish, ungodly, and deadly. How can a man live on the steeple but crawl with the pest and rodents of life? A true friend or a good wife would have advised Haman differently. But, because they like being in the presence of fame, they are as he is, lost and dangerously out of sync with God's purpose for living. Haman is a reflection of our world today. He reminds us of how we can be viewed when someone shows us that we are out of touch with why we were made to breathe and live life. Nothing in life that we have and will achieve should ever make us forget we are a member of one body. Although my position may be out front, I must constantly remind myself it is all because I am needed in that spot.
My Minute Song
Esther 5
It is time to take a reflection
Of our daily actions
Are we responding to life as we should?
Do we place all the things?
In this world, we have obtained
Above all the people we should love?
If that is the case
Let us turn from these ways
And never do this again
For life does not consist
Enough room for us to miss
The opportunity of loving all men
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