Esther 6 GOD OPENS THE EARS OF MEN No matter how lofty a person's position on earth may be, there is no way he can control his sleep by the force of his own will. Sleep is taken away "from the wicked" and "the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep." Ahasurerus was deprived of needed sleep because a sovereign God was not done using him to bring about His divine purposes for is people. It is not uncommon for events of the past day, or uncertainty about the future to keep people from the rest and recovery of a sound sleep. The uniqueness of Esther's request, and the fact that it was to be revealed the next day at the second banquet perhaps gave the king a sense of something serious that was about to happen.
When the "records of the chronicles" were read to him, it is plain to us the sovereign God even arranged the passages that were read to him. It was the work of ancient scribes to make the events of the kingdom as interesting as possible and they were to write the history accurately. That is why the scriptures of truth in the Bible, both historically and doctrinally are written in such an engaging way. Boredom in reading the Bible is usually because a person is not a believer, or a believer has matters that to him or her are more important to them at the moment.
"Thy word have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against Thee," is an important part of the daily life of a child of God. The light of truth brings understanding, and acting on the truth brings success to the labor put forth in the service of the Lord. It is of special interest that the reading to the king was so appropriate for the events of the day before him, that we know God was guiding it. If He can guide an unbeliever through words written by another unbeliever, how much more can we be guided by words written by "holy men of old" who were guided by the Holy Spirit of God.
God is always at work in the lives of His people. With patience when we are impatient, and with the quietness of holiness when we are agitated, God uses specific commands from His word to direct our ways, and simple illustrations from His written word to help us apply His truth to our own daily living. "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to Thy word."
It becomes obvious to us when events in our lives come "together for good," that these are not just coincidentally appropriate to the need of the moment, but are in fact God's working in sovereign grace for our blessing. He does have control over the lives of people and can use events in general, and circumstances in particular to produce which is needed.
Why the king overlooked rewarding Mordecai for giving the information about the threat on his life when the event took place, seems strange until we understand the sovereignty of God. It was left unrewarded until a greater need arose. Of special interest is that in half a day the dream took place, the reading of the chronicles was done, Haman entered the outer court early, and the course of history was changed. Again, there is evidence of the unseen and unnamed God at work behind the scenes of human history. This should encourage us to know that what we do not know, we may not need to know. All we have to know is our God is in control, and we rest there.
Haman's plan unraveled in the time it takes to say one sentence. "What shall be done to the man the king delighteth to honor?" greeted Haman as he was called into the king's presence. Money, success and pride cannot buy respect. Power does not buy, earn or guarantee popularity with the people. In fact, the desire for the praise of men can lead us down a wrong path to do that which is wrong. To flaunt one's position and power can quickly lead us to being resented and despised.
Haman wanted Mordecai dead and disgraced. God wanted him alive, in the king's gate and honored. Haman had his plans made and prepared to be carried out. God had His sovereign plans already in effect and was using the evil enemy as His tool. There would be no hanging on the gallows for God's man, but rather honor given to a humble man. "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble." One person well wrote, "God is determined to bring a proud man down, and lift a humble man up."
To wear royal clothes and a royal crown on a royal horse made it obvious to all the citizens of the city that Mordecai had royal approval. And well he might because he was the instrument God used to preserve the king's life. Whether people at large knew the reason for the demonstration or not is not made clear in the narrative, but they did know that "Mordecai the Jew" was in the king's good graces and was held in the favor of an ungodly leader. "The wrath of man" cannot thwart the purposes and praises of our sovereign God. Haman's humiliation was complete when he was the one appointed to publicly declare the honor of the king on the righteous man, he had intended to kill that day.
When the parade of honor was completed, Mordecai simply went back to doing that which was his responsibility before the big parade. The momentary exaltation did not go to his head, likely because he knew that honors from men are temporary and fleeting. Faith in God and the security that brings is lasting and real. "Them that honor Me, I will honor. They that despise Me shall be lightly esteemed." He did not go back to wearing sackcloth. He did not continue to mourn openly and loudly. There was a time for that, but it had passed. Now was the waiting time, and the expectation that God was soon going to do what was needed for His people. When we do that for which we are responsible to the best of our ability, then is the time to quietly wait on the Lord to accomplish His work according to His will.
Haman on the other hand, who was only living for self and selfish ambition, could not handle the humiliation with any sort of dignity. His "balloon was popped." "The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life" will always bring about the downfall of a man's soul. Immoral living, ungodly talk, self-centered motivation is doomed to failure in the end. His mourning and humiliation were obvious to his wife and friends. They had more sense than he did as they looked ahead into his future and recognized the fallout of his openly arrogant plans. For some reason they knew he was going down. Again, the answer to how they knew that was that is was another act of the sovereign God who was working for His people.
Without any opportunity to make alternate plans, Haman was called to the appointment with the king at the banquet Esther had prepared. Like the actions recorded in the book of Revelation, once the sovereign God begins to take action against the ungodly, things happen quickly. There is a time God gives for repentance and usually that is quite lengthy. But when that opportunity has been refused and the justice of God steps in to carry the responsibility of righteousness against evil, events begin to follow one after another in rapid succession.