The king’s great agitation and his demand to know who it was that would attempt the destruction of his queen and her people, encouraged Esther to declare, “The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman.” I do not doubt that the Lord sustained her in a special way at this time. She had courage now that she did not have before.
Haman was terrified before the king and the queen—as well he might be. How often those who have so calmly plotted against the lives of others become terrified when their own life is at stake. Rising up from the banquet in his wrath, the king went out into the palace garden. Haman knew well that it was the sentence of death pronounced upon him, and so he remained before Esther to plead for his life. The king returned from the garden and found Haman fallen upon the couch where Esther was, and this sight made him still more angry. Even as he spoke the servants came and covered the face of the condemned Haman for immediate execution. One of the chamberlains suggested to the king the gallows that Haman had already prepared for Mordecai, and the king said, “Hang him thereon.” So they hanged Haman there, and the king’s wrath was pacified.
Haman’s greatness was allowed to flourish and ripen in order that he might fall in the hour of his greatest pride and daring. Such has been and still is, God’s way with men in the history of this world. The builders of the tower of Babel, Nebuchadnezzar, king Herod, and the Beast of Revelation are other examples from the pages of Scripture of this. The psalmist tells us (Psa. 37:35, 3635I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. 36Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found. (Psalm 37:35‑36)): “I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.” Again in Psalm 9 we read, “The Lord is known by the judgment which He executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands.” How much better to know Hint now in His love through His beloved Son, whom He sent into this world to die for lost, ruined sinners. And how much happier to go on quietly and humbly before the Lord through this world, not seeking its glory, its honors or its wealth, but seeking grace to follow in the footsteps of Him Who “made Himself of no reputation” (Phil. 2:77But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: (Philippians 2:7)). It is this same precious psalm (37) that tells us to “Trust in the Lord”; “Delight thyself also in the Lord”; “Commit thy way unto the Lord”; and to “Rest in the Lord.” Then it goes on: “A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.” v. 16. “Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.” v. 37.
Haman was caught in his own trap. He fell suddenly and completely, and was destroyed. So it will be with Satan, the great enemy, and the course of this present world with him. Haman lost his life plotting against the Jews to destroy them. How foolish and vain the attempts of the enemy to frustrate the purposes of God concerning His people for they all must surely be accomplished. The Lord Jesus has Himself told us, “Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” Matt. 5:1818For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. (Matthew 5:18).
ML 12/13/1959