Esther 6

Scripture

Esther‬ ‭6:3‬ ‭NIV‬‬ 

“What honor and recognition has Mordecai received for this?” the king asked. “Nothing has been done for him,” his attendants answered.”

‭‭Observation-What does it say?

The King couldn't sleep and all of a sudden requested that the book that chronicles his reign be retrieved and read to him. In the process, it was found that Mordecai saved the King's life by exposing 2 men who planned to assassinate him.  These men were his own trusted officials!  The King wanted to know if Mordecai was honored and recognized for his noble deed. He was told that nothing was done for Mordecai, so King Xerxes made sure to do what was necessary to honor him.  Haman was getting ready to request the death of Mordecai, but instead, the King asked him for ways that he could be honored. Haman thought the King was talking about honoring him, so he suggested the most prestigious and noteworthy way that he could do it. Haman later found out that he would be honoring Mordecai the way he suggested for himself! Talk about humiliation!

Understanding-What does it mean?

Every deed a man or woman does, whether good or bad, always comes to the light.

 

“For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.” Luke‬ ‭8:17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

 

Mordecai and Haman were men who were part of two extremes. One was prideful, wanting all of his good deeds to be exposed and honored, while Moredecai was a humble man, who was not even honored or cared to be honored for saving the King's life. But, Mordecai's good deeds were eventually brought to light later on and exalted, while Haman's evil plans were halted. God protected Mordecai, while Haman suffered humiliation as a consequence for his evil plot and prideful heart.

“But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew‬ ‭6:3-4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

““So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”” Matthew‬ ‭20:16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips.” Proverbs‬ ‭27:2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Life Application

Let's learn from Mordecai's humble example and also learn from Haman's prideful and revengeful mistakes.

Humility comes before honor. Pride before the fall. (Proverbs 18:12)

The life of a Christ follower is one where we must die to ourselves daily for the cause of Christ. We lose our lives in order to find it. (Matt. 10:39). Being a disciple of Christ is a very humble calling, with many deeds uncompensated for, unseen and overlooked. However, our all knowing, all seeing and ever present Father sees it all and it is He who we honor and please. We please Him for His glory alone, to further the Kingdom and so that through our good deeds, men will praise Him. (Matthew 5:16). There's no room whatsoever for pride in the life of a servant and disciple.

Dear Jesus, please forgive me for the times that I seek to be honored and recognized for the good deeds I do for people, like my family, church family and other people you have called me to serve. May Your affection and recognition be enough and all that I seek. May I be more like Haman than Mordecai. In Your Name I pray, Amen.

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-Michelle Gaddi