What is Done for the Man the King delights to Honor

1That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him. 2It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, who had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes.

3“What honor and recognition has Mordecai received for this?” the king asked.

“Nothing has been done for him,” his attendants answered.

4The king said, “Who is in the court?” Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the palace to speak to the king about impaling Mordecai on the pole he had set up for him.

5His attendants answered, “Haman is standing in the court.”

“Bring him in,” the king ordered.

6When Haman entered, the king asked him, “What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?”

Now Haman thought to himself, “Who is there that the king would rather honor than me?” 7So he answered the king, “For the man the king delights to honor, 8have them bring a royal robe the king has worn and a horse the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head. 9Then let the robe and horse be entrusted to one of the king’s most noble princes. Let them robe the man the king delights to honor, and lead him on the horse through the city streets, proclaiming before him, ‘This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!’ ”

10“Go at once,” the king commanded Haman. “Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate. Do not neglect anything you have recommended.”

11So Haman got the robe and the horse. He robed Mordecai, and led him on horseback through the city streets, proclaiming before him, “This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!”

12Afterward Mordecai returned to the king’s gate. But Haman rushed home, with his head covered in grief.

Thoughts: The King honors Mordecai- but not just the king of Persia- the King of Kings honors him for his faithfulness.  Haman was the Prime Minister of the mightiest empire of his day (Persio-Media) and he sought to punish Mordecai for not bowing to him- and to not stop with Mordecai but to kill all the Jews.  But God had already been protecting them.  He had allowed Mordecai to overhear a plot against the king and to stop it.  The king did not honor Mordecai then, but he couldn't sleep one night and read how Mordecai had saved him.  Providentially and ironically (God has an ironic sense of humor some times), Haman who sought to kill Mordecai for not honoring him had to honor Mordecai.  The tables did not just turn a little bit, but completely.  Haman's pride thought that he was the one who should always be honored.  In humility, we should always seek to honor God above all- and others above ourselves.  In the end, it is the Judge and King of all the earth who honors the right people- for He sees to the heart.  This story is a good illustration of the importance of God being a judge and governing in the everyday life of people.  

Prayer: Lord when I reach the end of my rope, please help me. In your providential love, save me and watch over me. 

 (Peter Lastman 1624)