Talk about a turn of events! Could things have gone more wrong for Haman, whose own downfall is brought about by his exuberance to bring another down? Esther 6 is just gut punch that leaves one sucking wind.
For whatever reason, the king cannot sleep. Some interpretations see the hand of God in this insomnia, it certainly is quite a coincidence, but others are silent. Whichever is the case, the king tries to get sleepy and what better way than to read royal records! So he reveiws the records and notices that Mordecai was never rewarded for his act in saving the king from an insurrection. So he calls out for an official for an opinion on what he should do.
Well now, Haman, in his eagerness to be rid of Mordecai by getting the emperor's blessing to hang him has come early to court. The emperor summons Haman who assumed that the emperor was speaking about him. Heck who else would the emperor want to honor besides the great Haman? Of course when he finds out it is Mordecai, then he knows his goose is cooked.
I have described the emperor as being rather clueless, which is based upon the reality that he names Mordecai a Jew, yet has just issued an edict to annihilate the Jewish people. Go figure. As the whole city sees Mordecai being celebrated, Haman's wife seems to imply that Haman might have bitten off more than he can chew if Mordecai is a Jew, "you will not prevail against him." Perhaps this is the inference that God is known to be with the Jews.
Finally, following the second banquet, Esther asks the emperor her favor in Esther 7. She "simply" asks for her own life and those of her people against one who is trying to destroy them. The emperor, not truly understanding what she is requesting, asks who is the one who is threatening her, and she responds Haman. Haman is caught in shock and realizes that he had not known of the queen's background and has been outmaneuvered.
After the king leaves the room, he attempts to beg for mercy from Esther but then the king returns and assumes that Haman is now attempting to assault Esther. Haman's fate is now sealed. One of the king's servants points out that Haman has built gallows to hang Mordecai, the one who saved the king's life, so the king says, "Hang Haman on it." And they did.
Luke 12
I suppose you could summarize this chapter by saying, "Stop worrying about things that are insignificant! Focus you attention on God and what God is doing for you."
It would seem appropriate that Jesus warns the people about hypocracy since the crowd is killing and trampling one another just to hear Jesus. Do they really think that to hear Jesus means another should be trampled? This is the attitude of the yeast, a negative impact upon people.
But to those who are trampled or hurt by the "religious" or other powers, Jesus says, do not worry about them, but worry about God who can do far more than cause you temporary pain. (Not a happy thought, but true,)
What about material goods? Well Jesus tells us not to get obsessed with them either, what can they truly do for you? Not gain you salvation.
Better that we are watchful, and faithful, and be prepared when the Master comes. This preparation comes from being faithful, but this faith comes at a cost, we might find ourselves unwelcomed by those who we thought were friends and family.
Backlogged Posts
2 Kings 15-16
At this point, we can attempt to figure out who all these kings are but they would be too difficult. In the north, the kings of Israel have begun a slow spiral into depravity. Each seems to get worse and worse and with the resurgence of the Assyrian Empire, the days of Israel are numbered. In fact, a large part of the northern region of Israel has been sacked by the Assyrians and many have been taken captive.
In the south Azariah, sometimes called Uzziah, reigns but while he gets some flattering language spoken about him, he also suffers from leprousy which many saw as a sign from God that he had sinned. Uzziah's son Jotham now reigns and he does ok but nothing really amazing.
This now brings us to the story of King Ahaz of Judah in 2 Kings 16. Ahaz is bad, very bad. He worships at high places, he forms alliances with foreign kings and conspires against Israel. He makes his own sacrifices to foreign gods. He is bad, real bad.
Psalms 64-65
It is the cry of the individual seeking protection from God that opens Psalm 64. They have been afflicted by those seeking only to harm the psalmist, even their words are used to pierce him or her. They are being driven by evil, seeking to ensnare the psalmist in their plans. Who can one turn to, if not the just God Almighty?
As in the past, the psalmist proclaims a God who will respond, a God who is trusted to be just. So the psalmist cries out, trusting that God will hear and answer and all will be well.
Following this plea for help is a Psalm of Thanksgiving lifted up to God. Psalm 65 extols the virtues of God of the Temple, God of the world, and God of the earth. As God of the temple, God is worthy of praise for who else hears prayers and offers forgiveness and mercy like God? God of the world is the deliverer, the one who brings salvation. God is mightier than the sea and is boundless like the heavens. God of the earth provides for all, from biggest to smallest.
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