Haman's Perceived Glory Esther 5:11 - Equipped for Battle

Haman returned to his home after dining at a banquet held by Queen Esther for he and King Ahasuerus. Although he was excited and happy about the time with the queen, his jubilation turned into indignation after seeing rebellious Mordecai sitting at the king's gate. He called his friends and his wife to come to his home, and in chapter five and verse eleven we see the beginning of what he shared with his guests. We read:

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.

As we begin this verse, we should use our imaginations to see Haman's wife and friends gathered around him in his home. Haman has their attention and tells them four things about himself as he begins to speak. First, “And Haman told them of the glory of his riches,...” If we think about it we can almost hear Haman telling all these people about how rich he was. Most of us have been around someone who is like this. They tell of all their money, their automobiles, their houses, etc., and all of their perceived riches that somehow elevate them to greatness at least in their own minds if not others.

Next Haman tells of “the multitude of his children,...” Haman begins to brag about how many children he has sired. The word for “multitude” is “rob”, and it means “abundance, greatness, or numerous”. The idea that Haman is portraying is that he is great and fertile among all men, and the fact that he has a “multitude” of children means that he is virile and far superior to others who exist.

Haman continues to brag as he tells of “all the things wherein the king had promoted him,...” After sharing about his riches and prodigy, Haman tells his audience about his advancement in the employment industry. (By now if we are using our mind's eye to see this happening we have our fingers down our throats as if we are gagging from listening to this guy.) Haman told of his promotions, and probably included how much the kingdom was advantaged by his work ethic and code of conduct in the work place. In other words according to Haman, the kingdom would not be what it is except that he is around. We might think Haman has said enough at this point, but he has one more thing to add.

The verse ends with, “and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king.” Haman isn't satisfied with telling of his promotion by the king. No, he has to tell everyone how he has been advanced over the king's servants and even the princes – which are the king's own children. Obviously Haman is an important person in the Persian empire, and everyone, everywhere should know how marvelous his presence is, and whether they are servants, princes or even family and friends, everyone should be aware of the greatness of Haman.

We do know this, Haman and anyone like him would profit from knowing the following verses:

Ecclesiastes chapter five and verse nineteen: “Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labor; this is the gift of God.” Riches are a gift of God.

Psalm chapter one hundred and twenty seven and verse three: “Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.” Children are the Lord's heritage.

Psalm chapter seventy five and verses six and seven: “For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he puts down one, and sets up another.” God promotes.

It was the Lord who gave Haman his riches, children, and promotions, and yet Haman acted as though he produced them himself. Unlike Haman we must always remember that the source of all we have is God Almighty, and to boast about ourselves as Haman did is nothing less than taking the glory and credit for all that God has done in our lives. Let us keep in mind, at all times, no matter what we have or do not have - “To God be the Glory. Great things He has done.”

Next time Haman continues his boasting by telling his guests of his attending the banquet with the queen, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

 

Until tomorrow...there is more...

 

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