Esther 7:6 – 10 Then 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, “Will 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, “A 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, “Hang him on it!” So they hanged Haman on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king’s fury subsided.
This seems like a perfect ending to the story, doesn’t it? But there is just one little problem. The story isn’t over yet. Remember, Xerxes has issued a decree that all the Jews will be killed. No one can reverse that decree – not even the king himself!
Do you wonder why Xerxes got up and left for a few minutes? Surely, with his temper, he had already decided that Haman would die. Yet what could he be charged with? The decree had been issued with the king’s own signature! To kill Haman for tricking the king would only make the king look bad. And remember, this king didn’t like to look bad. So he had to figure this out.
But then he returned, and the solution was right before him! Haman was falling before the queen, begging for his life. It must have been clear that Haman wasn’t molesting her. Still, he was close enough to her person that the king seized the opportunity. He would be charged with trying to molest his wife. The servants took him right away to be hanged on the very gallows he had built for Mordecai the Jew.
If I were not the loving, gracious, compassionate person that I want you all to believe that I am, I would stand up and cheer! I would say, “Hooray! Haman is dead! He got what he deserved!” But of course I wouldn’t do that. 😉
As far as Xerxes is concerned, the issue has been dealt with. His anger has played out. His favorite wife is safe – for now. Yet there are some tricky issues still ahead.
So, here is my question: Who saved the Jews? Was it Esther, with all her beauty and intelligence and cunning? Was it Mordecai, with his influence over Esther? Or was it God?
The answer is simple. It was all of them. There is no doubt that without God’s intervention, the Jews would have perished. Yet, God worked through Mordecai’s prayers. And He certainly worked through Esther, as she prayed and plotted and schemed, using every one of her God-given gifts to her advantage.
I can feel a lesson coming on, my friends! As a Christian, are you a “let-go-and-let-God” kind of person, or a “work-work-work” kind of person? We must be both! We must use every gift that God has given us, in order to bring about God’s work in this world. And, we must do that work with a smile on our faces and peace in our hearts, knowing that it is God, not us, who will determine the outcome. Esther was far from the ideal Christian. She had hidden her identity as a Jew for five years! Still, God used her willing, flawed character to accomplish His purpose. And meager as they may be, we must offer God our very best efforts. He will use our willing hearts to accomplish great things.
Dear Father, Thank You for working through me, in spite of my flaws. Help me to give You my all, and trust You with the results.
Amen
Oh this is such a good story Renae!
Written out so sim;ply that even I can understand!
My Felisol is right. I think that your blog will be a great help!
It is late now and I must go to bed…Take care..Love Terry
Hi Terry! I really like the story of Esther, too. It is a wonderful story of good vs. evil, and God is the winner! I’m glad you are enjoying it.
Hope to see you soon!
Renae
You felt a great lesson coming on, Renae! I love it! You are not just telling a great story, but you are also giving us some real challenges to think about.
Thank you, Jeanette! Esther is challenging me, as well. 🙂
Dear Renae,
I’m not feeling like queen Esther, more like an old bag-lady.
Nevertheless, I feel blessed by yourour saying God can use us in spite of our flaws.
That is such a comfort. Like when Paul said to Timothy,”Let no one despise you for the sake of your youth.”
These days, it’s more like the sake of my old age.
But I will not give in, still hang on to that solid rock.
Yeah, it’s wonderful to be so ful of flaws and still not rejected.
Yours Felisol
Hi Felisol! I have seen your picture. You are not in danger of being called a bag lady. 🙂 But yes, I feel the same way. So very flawed in so many ways. Yet, I know my Father loves me. He sees past the flaws, straight to our hearts, doesn’t He?
Love you!
Renae