Esther 6:12-14
When Haman told his wife, Zeresh, and all his friends what had happened, his wise advisers and his wife said, “Since Mordecai—this man who has humiliated you—is of Jewish birth, you will never succeed in your plans against him. It will be fatal to continue opposing him.”
While they were still talking, the king’s eunuchs arrived and quickly took Haman to the banquet Esther had prepared. (Esther 6:13–14)
When Haman found himself in a predicament, he confided in his trusted confidantes. This group was composed of his beloved wife, Zeresh, as well as close companions who had earned his trust over time. As he started to narrate the unfortunate events that had unfolded, the air in the room grew increasingly heavy. His recounting of the status quo painted a grim picture. His feelings rising from a place of disgrace and shame brought a sense of disappointment to those present in the room.
His wise advisers, known for their practical wisdom and shrewdness, along with his wife, started providing their perspective on the situation. The main point they wanted to express was about the identity of the man responsible for Haman’s predicament – Mordecai. As it was commonly known, this individual who hailed from Jewish origins had landed a significant blow to Haman’s reputation and honor.
Their advice to Haman was crystal clear and direct. Since Mordecai—this man who has humiliated you—is of Jewish birth, you will never succeed in your plans against him. They wanted Haman to understand that his antagonistic actions towards Mordecai were likely not going to bear fruitful results. Instead, they were of the opinion that these actions would lead to a dead end that could prove to be fatal. They suggested that opposed to resisting him, the smart move would be to discontinue engaging in conflict with him.
As the words of his well-wishers echoed in the room, a sudden interruption occurred. The king’s eunuchs, royal servants who maintained close proximity to the King and had privileged access to the royal chambers, arrived with a message. They were there to hastily guide Haman to the banquet that Queen Esther had meticulously prepared in honor of the King and his court. The banquet had been a significant event, planned down to the very detail and was a rare opportunity for someone like Haman to mingle with the royals.
If your thinking is similar to my line of thought, you’re habitually positioned on the edge of your seat, waiting for the inevitable to happen. In this specific circumstance, we find ourselves hoping that Haman gets a taste of his own medicine. Our instincts demand justice. We hunger for the rightful punishment for those who wrong others. It is even more critical when it involves a character such as Haman, who has paraded around with an undeserved sense of superiority for far too long. His pompous display of arrogance and pride triggers a craving within us for justice. The entire situation leaves us yearning for the day Haman gets served the dish of retribution he so richly deserves.
Never once in all of Haman’s peacock strutting and evil plotting had God ignored him or his plan to murder Mordecai and the Jews. God had not missed his statements, the pride of his heart, the violent and prejudicial motives behind his decisions. God was invisible, but He was not out of touch or passive. He had not forgotten His people or His promises to them—and to their enemies.
A knock came at the door. And before he could even get his thoughts together, Haman was swept out of the house and escorted to the palace for the banquet that would spell his doom. I can’t help but wonder if on the way to the palace Haman glanced again at the gallows he had built for Mordecai, shook his head, and regretted what he had done.
A magnificent theological principle underscored again and again in the Scriptures is this: When God seems absent, He’s present. Even when you think you have lost all, God uses it as an opportunity to awaken you to the realization that He is still in charge, as well as to bring you to your knees.
Do you feel that God has been absent or on hold in your life, distant in some way? I want to remind you of this: He may have seemed absent from you, but He has been present all along. Furthermore, He knows your heart. He knows the true condition of your soul. He knows the hidden impurities of your motives. He knows the deep depravity of your sin. But He’s heard your cry, and He will not turn you away.
Chuck Swindoll