September 30, 2007 Haman's Demise ‑ A Change of Fate

Esther 5:9-7:10

Sometimes it can be somewhat interesting to examine from afar those who are ruled by their own sinful nature and Satan to see how far astray they can go. Watch any reality show today and you=ll know what I mean. Rage, lust, vulgar language, violence and immoral types of sexual behavior are natural occurrences. It isn=t pretty. We see the same thing today as we examine Haman=s demise. There=s a saying that goes, AIt Is Better to keep Your Mouth Closed and Let People Think You a Fool than to open It and Remove All Doubt." Haman removes all doubt about himself in today=s story as we get to know him better.

First of all, we can clearly see how Haman was filled with pride. Esther 5:10‑12 Calling together his friends and Zeresh, his wife, Haman boasted to them about his vast wealth, his many sons, and all the ways the king had honored him and how he had elevated him above the other nobles and officials. AAnd that=s not all,@ Haman added. AI=m the only person Queen Esther invited to accompany the king to the banquet she gave. And she has invited me along with the king tomorrow. Who would want to go and listen to someone talking about himself throughout this self flattering party? It amazes me that he had any friends at all - but just like the celebrities of today seem to find Afriends@ who love to be wined and dined, Haman also seemed to attract some real winners.

Second of all, it=s interesting to note that even with all of his success and riches and fame, Haman still wasn=t happy. Why not? Esther 5:13 reads, ABut all this gives me no satisfaction as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the king=s gate.@ Haman allowed the attitude and actions of one man to completely possess him with anger and hatred to the point where everything he had in life was tainted. This sometimes happens to those who go through a bitter divorce. Every mention or memory of the former spouse evokes emotions of anger and hatred - leaving a bitter person who nobody likes to spend any time with - not even his or her children. Think also about how a high school kid can be good at sports, have great grades, and seeming to have it all; only to end up killing himself or herself just because of a failed relationship. The lead female singer for the Carpenters ended up dying of anorexia just because a journalist called her Achubby@ when she was just a little girl. The sinful nature allows one bad thing that happens in life to be all consuming.

Thirdly, notice how Haman and his friends thought they could find happiness. Esther 5:14‑15 His wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, AHave a gallows built, seventy‑five feet high, and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai hanged on it. Then go with the king to the dinner and be happy.@ This suggestion delighted Haman, and he had the gallows built. They thought that vengeance and a removal of their enemies would make life happy. It wasn=t enough for all of the Jews to be put to death. They decided to move Mordecai=s death up to the next day - then Haman could be happy now instead of having to wait 12 months.

Vengeance doesn=t always work the way it is intended. Even when serial murderers are put to death it still doesn=t bring back the loved one who was murdered. If Haman allowed this one man to ruin his attitude towards life, someone else would soon come to fill Mordecai=s role. Yet the sinful nature thinks, Aif I could just get rid of my boss, then I would be happy. I would just love to punch my ex-boyfriend in the nose! If I could just divorce my spouse, then I would be much happier. I would love to tell my boss off just for once!@ These remedies of vengeance still don=t take into account the many other sinful problems that life brings. Usually it sets off an ugly string of violence that gets out of control and leads to a war that nobody wanted.

Finally, notice how those who are ruled by the sinful nature are constantly wanting to be praised and honored in life. When Haman thought that the king was going to recognize and praise him, he suggested all kinds of things the king should do. Esther 6:7‑9 So he answered the king, AFor the man the king delights to honor, have them bring a royal robe the king has worn and a horse the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head. Then let the robe and horse be entrusted to one of the king=s most noble princes. Let them robe the man the king delights to honor, and lead him on the horse through the city streets, proclaiming before him, >This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!=@ He wanted to be dressed like a king and treated like a king. Self consumed people love to envision in their minds how they think they should be treated. They constantly get angry at their spouses for not recognizing them and praising them for all they do for the family. They are always mad at work because their bosses don=t appreciate what hard workers they are. In their minds everyone should stop what they are doing and listen to everything they have to say. They are easily offended by a seeming lack of respect or love that everyone shows them.

This all happens because they don=t have the blessings of faith. Faith in Christ alleviates all of these fruits of the flesh. How so? Think about how God first of all treats us like royalty.

$ Galatians 3:26‑27 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. (We don=t crave royal clothing because God gives us royal robes to wear in our baptisms into Christ.)

$ 1 Peter 2:9 You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (We don=t demand to be treated like royalty because God calls us His royalty and treats us so.)

$ Luke 12:7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don=t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. (We don=t demand people pay attention to us and cater to us because God pays attention to us and caters to our every need.)

$ Revelation 6:10‑11 They called out in a loud voice, AHow long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?@ Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed. (We don=t demand vengeance because God promises justice at the end of all things on Judgment Day.)

In light of these promises, we don=t get worked up over injustice in this world. We don=t let evil people ruin our day. We don=t let people who disrespect us get under our skin. We know that God will judge in His own time. We know that even in poverty God thinks of us as royalty and treats us like royalty - no matter what else the world thinks. People with their eyes focused on Christ don=t let their sinful nature or thoughts taint their view on life. Are you remembering this or have you forgotten your blessings in Christ? Or do you need to repent of your bitter attitude - refocusing on your blessings that God promises you in Christ?

While Haman was plotting and planning his sweet vengeance on Mordecai, God was doing a little action of His own. It just so happened that Xerxes couldn=t sleep that night. And, it just so happened that he decided to have the book of chronicles read to him. It just so happened that the story of Mordecai=s foiling of the assassination plot of Xerxes was read. It just so happened that Haman walked into the courtyard as the King was trying to figure out what to do for Mordecai - leading to the embarrassment of Mordecai. Now, either all of these things were mere coincidence, or perhaps the King of the Universe was guiding and directing all of these coincidences to deliver Mordecai from a certain death. The book of Esther never says that God did anything - yet when you believe other Bible passages which state that no sparrow falls to the ground apart from the will of the Father, you can=t help but expect that the good LORD was working behind the scenes to make everything fall in place.

Think about how many times this happens throughout the Bible. Did it just happened to rain at the right time to coincide with Noah=s building of the boat? Did it just so happen that the Pharaoh=s daughter found Moses= basket floating down the Nile? Did it just so happen that Jesus was born in Bethlehem just as Isaiah predicted? Was it sheer coincidence that he happened to be put to death on a cross - just as the snake in the wilderness was lifted from the ground on a piece of wood? Was it just a random coincidence that Jesus was sold for thirty pieces of silver? Or perhaps . . . just perhaps . . . God was making sure that all of these happenings - even the evil actions and declarations of kings and turncoats - would work out according to His grand design.

Esther proved that it was no mere coincidence that she was elected as the queen. With wisdom, courage, and respect she rises to the occasion on behalf of her people. First, she sweetens the king up with a good meal. A way to a man=s heart is often through his stomach. Secondly, she shows a great respect for Xerxes - by almost apologizing for having to bother him. She shows a great amount of humility and willingness to serve on behalf of herself and her fellow Jews - saying that they would have been glad to be Xerxes= slave and be of service to him in whatever way possible. The only way they couldn=t serve him was if they were dead. With great simplicity and courage she directly calls Haman out and exposes him for what he is - calling him an adversary and enemy - the same adjectives used for the devil.

Isn=t it neat to see the turnaround in shy Esther? Just days ago she was terrified of entering the king=s presence. Yet after a few days of prayer and fasting she was changed into a bold and wise spokeswoman on behalf of the Jews. How can we not see this as a change that the LORD worked through her? If the LORD indeed was working on Xerxes sleeping patterns and directing His reading material - it is much easier to believe that the LORD was also working through Esther - strengthening her to do what had to be done and say what had to be said. Listen again to what conviction and clarity she uses.

Esther 7:3‑6 Queen Esther answered, AIf I have found favor with you, O king, and if it pleases your majesty, grant me my lifeCthis is my petition. And spare my peopleCthis is my request. For I and my people have been sold for destruction and slaughter and annihilation. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king.@ King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, AWho is he? Where is the man who has dared to do such a thing?@ Esther said, AThe adversary and enemy is this vile Haman.@

Wow! What a miraculous change occurs within the once shy queen! What courage and clarity she uses.

This story from Esther begs us to remember and believe that God works while we sleep. There is no such thing as luck or mere coincidence. God silently and quietly directs even the sleeping patterns and reading material of evil kings to serve His good and gracious will. If God could give pretty and quiet little Esther the courage to stand up to the second in command of Persia, then God can certainly give you the courage to stand up to evil as well. Even though God is not mentioned in this book, His seemingly silent actions come screaming through. Faith sees it clearly. Faith learns to trust in this same God yet today. It doesn=t panic nor sell God short; even when His people seem to be on a pathway to annihilation.

In a matter of twenty four hours the whole foundations of Haman=s life came falling apart. He changed from a confident, arrogant, and murderous dictator into a terrified little baby - quivering at the feet of the Queen Estheer. Isn=t it interesting to see how quickly his world fell apart? It started with the humiliation of having to walk Mordecai through the streets of Jerusalem - calling on everyone to show honor to him. Notice how his advisors and his wife responded. Esther 6:13 reads, AHis advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, >Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has started, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against himCyou will surely come to ruin!=@ They associated his downfall with the race of Mordecai - Asince he is of Jewish origin.@ Was this a testimony to the faith and the well known God of the Jews? Or was it just in response to the fact that Haman had clearly made the Jews his enemies? I don=t know. But either way - they offered him absolutely no false comfort or hope. With a complete lack of faith they were sure everything was going to fall apart. And it ended exactly that way. When Esther had exposed Haman=s plot, 7:6-10 reads . .

Haman was terrified before the king and queen. The king got up in a rage, left his wine and went out into the palace garden. But Haman, realizing that the king had already decided his fate, stayed behind to beg Queen Esther for his life. Just as the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet hall, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was reclining. The king exclaimed, AWill he even molest the queen while she is with me in the house?@ As soon as the word left the king=s mouth, they covered Haman=s face. Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs attending the king, said, AA gallows seventy‑five feet high stands by Haman=s house. He had it made for Mordecai, who spoke up to help the king.@ The king said, AHang him on it!@ So they hanged Haman on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king=s fury subsided.

In no time at all Haman who just moments before had the honor of the King and the power of the kingdom in his hands was left hanging from a rope - a dead and lifeless body. Again, you can see this all as sheer luck and coincidence - or you can see the Lord working justice even on earth. Here was a man that was threatening to annihilate his people, so the LORD worked through Esther, Xerxes, some eunuchs and a piece of rope to put Haman to death.

It=s kind of scary to think about how quickly someone=s fortunes can change. When Nabal the fool was threatening to harm his lovely wife for feeding King David, Nabal was given a heart attack and died. When a huge army chased after the Israelites through the Red Sea, in a matter of seconds they were drowned. Think about the most recent story of millionaire Steve Fossett who was well known for trying to float around the world in an air balloon. Here=s a guy who seemed to have the world at his fingertips. Yet one day he goes up in a plane and doesn=t seem to come down. His plane is never found. Now they=ve called off the search for him and you don=t hear anymore about him. It doesn=t take long for people to lose all of their honor, prestige and power within minutes or even seconds - even by a false accusation or a seemingly random accident.

This brevity of life and sudden downfall of Haman doesn=t scare us, however. On the contrary, it builds our faith. This swift justice shows us on this side of heaven helps us to see that God is in charge. He can wipe out rulers in a matter of seconds - even through a formerly scared and timidd woman. This story shows us that the same who created us and redeemed us can certainly protect us from any dictators who threaten to end our lives. It proves to us that God can empower even the weakest of us to step up to the plate when we need to. It comforts us to know that God even controls the sleeping patterns and reading material of the most powerful kings of the earth. The death of Haman assures us that God is alive and well. It reminds us of what Job said in the midst of darkness -

Job 23:3, 8‑10 AIf only I knew where to find him; if only I could go to his dwelling! But if I go to the east, he is not there; if I go to the west, I do not find him. When he is at work in the north, I do not see him; when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him. But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.@

We can only live by faith, but it=s that faith that helps us to realize that when everything in this world seems to be falling apart, it is actually coming together exactly the way God planned it. Psalm 112:4 Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man. It=s a completely different reaction - that which is built on faith and that which is built on flesh. Instead of falling apart, faith builds up in times of trial and clings to God all the more; recognizing that He is in charge in a hidden and yet powerful way.

Imagine standing in the shoes of Mordecai - looking 75 feet up in the air at the feet of Haman dangling to and fro with a hood over his head. This is where Mordecai was supposed to be hanging just hours before. What a change of fate! What a wonderful turn for justice! Isn=t it great when life works out that way? Unfortunately, life isn=t always so squeaky clean. It sometimes takes a long longer to hang the Saddams or electrocute the Mansons in life. Sometimes they never seem to get justice in this life and we wait impatiently for justice to be served.

Through the eyes of faith, God calls on us to seek a different justice. The Holy Spirit takes you through time and seats you below the foot of the cross and tells you to look up at the feet of your Savior. See him hang there, dying for the sins of the world. In the place where we were supposed to hang and in the hell that we were supposed to burn - we see Jesus dangling from the tree. This is where we can breathe a huge sigh of relief, seeing justice served for us. This is where we want justice served for the world - even for evil people like Haman.

Unfortunately, many people like Haman will have none of this justice - who are hell bent on our destruction. For them the Lord promises a different type of justice. As they plot our destruction and threaten our annihilation, the Holy Spirit takes us out to the skies and says, Await for the feet of the King to come in the clouds. Some Day the King of Justice will say to your oppressor, >depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.= Just as God dealt with Haman, He will deal with them, in His own time and way. God will deliver you, just as He delivered Mordecai and the Jews.@ So we say with John in the last verse of Revelation, AAmen. Come, Lord Jesus.@ Amen.