By Dr. Jacquelyn Simmons
In last week’s message, Haman went to the King’s home to request permission to hang Mordecai. But God intervened! The King asked Haman about ideas to honor someone. Haman was very conceited and decided that the King planned to honor him. He gave the King a list of activities to honor himself. BUT GOD! The King ordered Haman to “carry out” his suggestions for Mordecai. Instead, to his utter dismay, Haman had no choice but to obey the King’s orders to honor Mordecai publicly.
Although crestfallen, Haman attended the Queen’s second banquet. During the banquet, the King again inquired of Esther, “what was her petition she wanted of him”? She answered and said, “If I have found favor in thy sight, and if it please the King, let my life be given me at my petition and my people at my request.” Upon the King’s request, Esther exposed the dirty deeds Haman had committed against all Jews and even though the King was not aware that she was a Jew, she also would be killed. After she exposed Haman as the guilty culprit, the King ordered Haman to hang. The King’s servants requested Haman hang on the gallows he had built at his home for Mordecai.
Afterwards, the King gave Haman’s house to Queen Esther. Upon Mordecai’s arrival, she told the King that he was her uncle, and the King gave him Haman’s ring of authority. Esther set Mordecai over Haman’s house. She made a second request of the King to reverse the letter devised by Haman to destroy the Jews. Although Haman was hanged because of God’s intervention on behalf of his people, the King’s original decree was still in effect, and he could not reverse it. But, to honor Esther’s request, the King ordered a second decree that gave the Jews the right to defend themselves. Not only did God enable the Jews to defend themselves, but He also caused the people of the land to fear them. Through Haman’s wicked plot, God’s people gained power and influence. The day of the first decree to execute the Jews came in the twelfth month, the month Adar, on the thirteenth day. The Jews were in a position where they had no choice but to fight for their lives. But God divinely intervened and granted them the victory!
Mordecai set up the “Feast of Purim”, a two-day festival celebrating how God rescued his people from Haman’s wicked plot to destroy them. “Purim” refers to his use of the “pur” to decide the day to destroy the Jews. Purim reminds us that God’s people should never view themselves as helpless victims of fate or chance. We must be strong in our faith that God has a definite plan for every life. His purpose for us is His highest goal to save all people and bring them into a personal relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Esther 6-10)
My friends prayerfully beware! Hard times ahead!!! Love You Much!!! Jacquelyn Simmons PS: PRAY!!!
