Things may look crazy, but it’s only because the tide has turned, revealing some ugly swamp creatures. They will thrash and fight, but it’s only because they know they are in very big trouble!
Esther 6
When I started the Book of Esther way back in October I was planning to post a new episode each DAY as a way to prepare and pray for what I knew would be a tumultuous election cycle!
That was very much only mind then. I felt, and still feel, concerned for our Nation.
Then reality hit! With work, church, and a large family, I knew I could not do Esther each day. I switched to bi-weekly and then to weekly in order to provide good content.
I was praying about this, because I was sad I would not be done with the book of Esther before the election.
I felt God speak to me about it. “Don’t worry,” he seemed to chuckle, “The book of Esther will be needed for a long time.” I sensed even then, although I was not sure, that this election would NOT be decided November 3rd, but would remain in play for some time. As it has. Look at us!
The electors are supposed to be chosen tomorrow and we still do not know the final outcome. Although I listen to many praying people who believe strongly that against all odds, President Trump will prevail.
We see in Esther that God is on the side of HIS kingdom, and longs to deliver His people. Our political bent is not the issue, but rather, that God will have HIS way in our land. It may mean captivity for a season. It may mean some difficulties. Make me poor and needy, but I always pray to be free to worship God. The pilgrims on the Mayflower came here desiring to raise their children with godly values and risked all for that freedom. Many died. But our love of God and His kingdom should be our continued prayer. He just may answer in unusual and unexpected ways!
I say this because as we look at the book of Esther know that this story is being played out again. Ester is happening in our courts and Capitols. As the struggle for power ensues, Christians are called to a deeper discipline of fasting, prayer, and intimacy with the Father.
Back to Esther:
When we last off In the book of Esther we finished Chapter 5.
Esther prepared a banquet for the King and Haman.
At the end of the feast, Esther refrains from pleading for her people’s life. Rather, she shrewdly asks the King and Haman to return the next day for yet another Feast.
Haman leaves in high spirits! Except for seeing Mordecai refusing to bow as he heads home.
Lets look at the end of chapter 5 again.
13 Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.14 Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and tomorrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made.
It would seem making a “stand” against an evil regime is not paying very good dividends to Mordecai. Not only is his entire nation now determined to be murdered, but he himself will be impaled on a pole come the morning.
Mordecai, however, knows none of this. He is likely snoozing peacefully away like Jesus on a ship at sea. Yet the effects of this fast are working even as he sleeps, as we will see in chapter 6 beginning in verse 1:
On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles, and they were read before the king.
This is an interesting little coincidence. I believe the prayers and the fasting of Gods people have done this! I like to think God commanded some angels to tickle his feet and flick his head a bit to keep him awake. Then one of them whispers to the king he should have the records of his kingdom read to help him sleep. I listen to podcasts as I fall asleep each night. Same idea.
And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus. And the king said, What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the king’s servants that ministered unto him, “There was nothing done for him.”
4 And the king said, Who is in the court?
Get ready for another weird co-incidence:
Now Haman was come into the outward court of the king’s house, to speak unto the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him.5 And the king’s servants said unto him, Behold, Haman standeth in the court. And the king said, Let him come in.
6 So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour? Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honour more than to myself?
7 And Haman answered the king, For the man whom the king delighteth to honour, 8 Let the royal apparel be brought which the king useth to wear, and the horse that the king rideth upon, and the crown royal which is set upon his head:
9 And let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king’s most noble princes, that they may array the man withal whom the king delighteth to honour, and bring him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honour.
10 Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at the king’s gate: let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken.
Gods name may not be mentioned in Esther, but His presence is unmistakable! It is believed that perhaps while the Jews lived in Babylon they were not allowed to inscribe stories of their God, so instead, they wove the presence of God into every line! Here is a crazy coincidence that is clearly orchestrated by God!
11 Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour.
12 And Mordecai came again to the king’s gate.
Mordecai is a humble sort of guy.
But Haman hasted to his house mourning, having his head covered.
This next part is what I like to call Hamans “uh-Oh” Moment.
13 And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him.
Can’t you see Haman’s face fall as they say this? They went from supporting and believing in him to grimacing and looking down at their feet.
“What? What is it?” He asks, seeing their doleful looks.
“Umm. We forgot he was a Jewish man… this is not going to go well for you, dude.”
In fact, Zeresh says “before whom thou hast begun to fall.”
Satan is beginning to fall and lose his grip.
As you fast. As you pray. As you worship the King. It may seem things only get worse, but the truth is that behind the scenes the enemy is falling! That is why he is thrashing so hard! Its like catching a crocodile! When they know they are in trouble the fierce reptiles become especially angry and dangerous than ever as they thrash and fight.
But the thrashing of the swamp creatures only demonstrates the fear as they realize a child of God has risen to stand against his schemes!
Do not let go! When the demons begin to thrash, know you are achieving victory.
Our church has participated in fasts each year. Its actually almost a joke as appliances break, cars have problems, just crazy stuff! Once our freezer quit working and we didn’t discover it until the meat was rancid and bloody! The worst ever! Just a devil temper tantrum! Know you are winning when that happens.
The devil tries to get in your mind with anger, discouragement, and discontent! You May feel your situation is hopeless! But slow down. Breathe. That’s just the enemy thrashing. God has a remedy!
14 And while they were yet talking with him, came the king’s chamberlains, and hasted to bring Haman unto the banquet that Esther had prepared.
Credits and acknowledgments
Music by Purple Planet: Hope and Inspire
