Esther 5
Scripture
Esther 5:11-13
“Haman started bragging about how rich he was. He was bragging to his friends about his many sons, and about all the ways the king had honored him. And he was bragging about how the king had promoted him higher than all the other leaders. “And that’s not all,” Haman added. “I’m the only one Queen Esther invited to be with the king at the party she gave. And the Queen also has invited me to be with the king again tomorrow. But all this means nothing to me. I cannot be happy as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the king’s gate.”
Observation-What does it say?
Haman was the highest ranking official seated at the king's table. He had a lot of things going for him. He was very wealthy. He had earned the king's honor and praise. He also had a growing number of family and friends. He was literally sitting at "the big boys table" now. Haman was the only one invited to go to Queen Esther's banquet with the king. Everything seemed to be going Haman's way. All except one thing...Mordecai still wasn't showing him the respect and fear that he felt he deserved.
Understanding-What does it mean?
Pride comes before the fall.
For Haman, life was good. Well so it seemed. Throughout all his riches and status, his pride couldn't let one thing go... Mordecai's unwillingness to bow or stand and show him any proper respect that he felt due him. The one thing that Haman couldn't let go of (his pride) was causing him so much anger, so much rage inside, that even with all the blessings he has received in life, he still was left unsatisfied. Haman felt he couldn't truly be happy until Mordecai was gone. His hate and anger towards Mordecai extended beyond belief. Haman not only wanted to kill Mordecai for his disobedience towards him, but he even set out to kill Mordecai's people (God's people) because of it. Now, if there are two things I learned from reading comics and the Bible, it's 1) that you don't pull on Superman's cape, and 2) you don't mess with God's people. You're just asking for trouble!
“Pride is the first step toward destruction. Proud thoughts will lead you to defeat.” Proverbs 16:18 ERV
Life Application
Remember that God is the true source of your happiness.
“In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.” Psalm 10:4 NIV
Haman let his foolish pride cloud his judgement. Instead of seeing all the good that was happening in his life, he focused more on the one thing wrong in his life. Instead of letting it go, he chose to let it linger and fester in his heart. It eventually would lead to his demise as you read on.
I know the one thing that helps keep me grounded in life no matter how successful I become is knowing that as long and hard that it may take me to achieve something, God can take it away in a flash! Remembering that truly humbles me. Knowing that God is more concerned for my holiness than my happiness, keeps me striving to stay connected to Him each and every day!