Haman Still Boasting Esther 5:12 - Equipped for Battle

Haman has his wife and some friends at his home where he is sharing how rich, prolific, and advanced he is above all the other servants and princes within the Persian Empire. As his wife and guests listen, in chapter five and verse twelve Haman continues his boasting as he tells of his special invitation from the queen. We read:

Haman said moreover, Yes, 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.

By now most people who have read these arrogant statements from Haman have heard about enough, but Haman has more to say. Our verse reads, “Haman said moreover, Yes, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself;” Haman continued his discourse of greatness with his exclusive invitation to Esther's banquet. He emphasized “the queen did let no man come in with the king”. That is of course, except great Haman. Haman was not only rich, prolific, and advanced, he was also well connected in high places, and of course, at least in his own mind, all of these facts made him such a superior man to every other in the kingdom.

The verse goes on to say, “and to morrow am I invited unto her also with the king.” If it wasn't already hard enough to live with this pompous man named Haman, he continues his monologue with a second invitation to dine with the queen and king. In his own mind, he is now a regular, a familiar, and important part of the Persian royalty. His participation in multiple times banqueting with the king and queen certainly put him in a position of favor with the ruling family, and Haman was certain that this favor would be extended beyond the palace doors and into the entire Persian Empire.

Isn't it amazing how certain ways seem to lead to greatness and favor when all the while it is nothing more than a set up? Haman thought he was being led to greatness, yet he was being led like a sheep to the slaughter. What he perceives to be greatness and exceptional advancement is really nothing more than a trap that will have him snared in his own wickedness. The time has not yet come for the trap door to shut upon Haman, but we can be certain that it will. We must keep in mind that not everything is as it seems, and sometimes when God is working in our lives we cannot see what He is actually doing. His plans for us go beyond what we might be able to imagine, and His plans for us are good - unlike these for unenlightened Haman. As we continue this story, perhaps we will consider that our Almighty Creator may have more in store for us than we will ever imagine, and may we learn to trust the Lord completely no matter what circumstances come our way.

Next time Haman tells all his guests about Mordecai, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

 

Until tomorrow...there is more...

 

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