Coincidence?

V1-2 I remember hearing in a sermon that ‘Now it happened’ suggests that what follows is likely not a coincidence. As with quite a number of incidents in the Bible, the phrase ‘now it happened’ is used and shows that things seem to play out as a part of God’s marvellous plan. Esther found favour in the king’s sight when she was standing in the court.

Wisdom.

V7-8 Esther made her request known to the king, and it was for him and Haman to come to the banquet that day which she will prepare for them. She waited patiently for an opportune time and moment to tell the king about Haman and that came later on at the banquet the next day.

Esther 3:1
After these things King Ahasuerus promoted Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him and set his seat above all the princes who were with him.

The king probably trusted Haman and might have been suspicious of Esther if she tried to convince the king of what Haman did. However, Esther had the wisdom of how to execute the plan.

James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Shame comes with pride.

V13 Haman thought highly of himself. Even if we are in a high position, we must remain humble as it is temporary and can be taken away from us at any time. Nothing lasts forever and one day, we will have to step down from that position and pass it on to someone else.

Romans 12:16
Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

We should also not set our minds on high things. Instead, we should be humble.

Proverbs 11:2
When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom.

Bad influences result in bad advice.

V14 The people Haman turned to for advice were bad influences who in turn gave him bad advice. Initially, Haman expressed his displeasure in being upset if he saw Mordecai sitting at the king’s gate. Due to his pride, Haman felt that he and not Mordecai was worthy. He complained to his wife and his friends while already elevating himself.

Their suggestion was to make a gallows for Mordecai, and this pleased Haman. When we ask the wrong people for advice, we get bad and wrong answers. Those people may say things to please us. Sometimes, what pleases us is what we want to hear and what we want to hear might not always be good or right. If we want to hear something that will stroke our ego or something that supports our perspective, it might not end well.

Since Haman did not like Mordecai, he wanted to hear something that spelled terribly for Mordecai. While he was pleased with what he heard, Haman did not know that the gallows he made for Mordecai would be used for him in the end. Haman’s pride, his mixing with bad company, and his evil intentions and plans to harm Mordecai, caused his downfall.

1 Corinthians 15:33
Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”

We need to choose our friends wisely because they are one of the factors that significantly influence us, our behaviours and our habits.

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