Sunday, December 1, 2013

Haman's Request Esther 7:7 - Equipped for Battle

As Esther answered the king's question as to her desire up to half the kingdom, he was stunned by her answer that Haman desired to kill both her and her people. The wicked one has been revealed, and Haman was named as the perpetrator. In chapter seven and verse seven, we see the beginning of the king's response to Queen Esther's answer. We read:

And the king arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath went into the palace garden: and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king.

Our verse begins, “And the king arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath went into the palace garden:” If we use our imaginations we can visualize King Ahasuerus getting so angry that he throws himself up from the table where they are dining and rushes briskly to his palace garden. Sometimes one of the best moves we can make when we're extremely angry is to get away from the situation for a few moments, and that is what King Ahasuerus did.

The verse goes on to say, “and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen;” When Haman saw the king rise up, he did too. Haman knew he was just indited for the wicked and evil plan to destroy not only the Jews but also the king's wife. Haman's only hope at this point would be if Esther would somehow plead to the king on his behalf. Of course this was a very unlikely proposition, but it was the only one Haman could rely upon. Haman sought for his life, and Esther was the only one who could give it to him now.

Finally the verse says, “for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king.” Haman knew the king was extremely upset, and he was intuitive enough to know that the king would probably kill him for this plot. When the king left the table, more than likely he had an determined look in his eye toward Haman, and Haman knew it. Haman perceived that “there was evil determined against him”, and now his only resource was to beg for his life.

Oh how the tables turned, and Haman was the one who was most embarrassed. Haman's wicked and evil plot which was inspired by Mordecai became the impetus for his own demise. If we place ourselves in the king's position, how would we respond? What if we were in Esther's position, how would we react now? What if we were in Haman's position, what then would be our next action? When we consider all the characters in this story, let us keep in mind that God is also involved, and the natural workings of people often display His marvelous handy work. God was not going to allow this wicked Haman to destroy His plan for the Jews, and when Esther “just happened” to be the most lovely woman in all of Persia, God was already at work to save His people. If He does so in this story, perhaps He is doing so in our story as well. We can count on Him.

Next time we will observe the king's reaction intensifying, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
 
Until tomorrow...there is more...
 
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” and the new marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore



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