The king asked him, “What shall be done for the man whom the king delights to honor?” Esther 6:6
They hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king’s wrath subsided. Esther 7:10
The Jews had light and gladness, joy and honor. Esther 8:16
he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, Revelation 13:14
Evil people come and go (1): by attempting to harm God’s people, some accomplish this. But God’s people endure forever because they belong to God Who keeps them safe eternally. (2)
Bible Passage at – www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Esther%206,%207,%208;%20Rev%2013&version=NKJV
Esther 6 That night the king could not sleep. So one was commanded to bring the book of the records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king. And it was found written that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs, the doorkeepers who had sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. v.1-3
Mordecai unashamedly stood out to protect the life and rulership of King Ahasuerus. (3)
Who do I serve, God, man, self or fear? To whom is my Highest allegiance? Who do I promote with my being? I do protect my family, friends, and even strangers in different ways. What is my motive? Who is my Strength, God? From where does my wisdom originate, the Word of God and Holy Spirit? How consistent am I?
There have been times when I am all sold out, narrowly focused, Christ-centered. No fear but All Truth and Love. Nowadays it seems I do not over-look those who are needy in subtle ways around me. I care for their “details”. (1 Corinthians 7:34) It distracts me from what I desire and delight most to do for God. Yet it is obedience. “not as I will, but as You will.” (Mt 26:39) The Eternal Fruit will be unending because of the attention to the details, You repeatedly tell me Lord.
Then the king said, “What honor or dignity has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?” v.3
Nothing had been done. Yet waiting in the wings was a proud man seeking the demise the righteous Mordecai and exalt himself. His name was Haman. And the King of kings had His way. (4)
So Haman came in, and the king asked him, “What shall be done for the man whom the king delights to honor?” Now Haman thought in his heart, “Whom would the king delight to honor more than me?” v.6
Then the king said to Haman, “Hurry, take the robe and the horse, as you have suggested, and do so for Mordecai the Jew who sits within the king’s gate! Leave nothing undone of all that you have spoken.” v.10
How can I delight You and bring You pleasure, my King? Not for any favors, but because You already are my “shield, (and) exceedingly great reward.” (Gen. 15:1) I seek to please you with my life, Lord Jesus Christ! (5)(6)
But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the LORD. Jeremiah 9:24
What is done for the man, woman or child in whom the King of King delights? Eternal Salvation, Intimate Fellowship with God and His people, God’s Promises fulfilled, the Fruit of the Holy Spirit, and so much more endlessly! (17)
Meanwhile, back with King Ahasuerus, Haman is now mortified. (7)
Afterward Mordecai went back to the king’s gate. But Haman hurried to his house, mourning and with his head covered. Haman’s wise men and his wife Zeresh said to him, “If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of Jewish descent, you will not prevail against him but will surely fall before him.” v. 12-13
Esther 7 The king again said to Esther, “What is your petition, Queen Esther? It shall be granted you.” – “if it pleases the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request. For we have been sold, my people and I, to be destroyed, to be killed, and to be annihilated.” – King Ahasuerus answered, “Who is he, and where is he, who would dare presume in his heart to do such a thing?” And Esther said, “The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman!” So Haman was terrified before the king and queen. Then the king arose in his wrath – Now Harbonah, one of the eunuchs, said to the king, “Look! The gallows, fifty cubits high, which Haman made for Mordecai, who spoke good on the king’s behalf, is standing at the house of Haman.” Then the king said, “Hang him on it!” So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king’s wrath subsided.
How can anyone presume that the King of kings and Lord of lords Who does know everything (8) would not be Just in His dealings with every person? (9)
Lord, please – “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24
Esther 8 On that day King Ahasuerus gave Queen Esther the house of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. – The king took off his signet ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai; and Esther appointed Mordecai over the house of Haman. v.1-2
Lord God, You are The Advocate for the humble. (10)
Show Your marvelous lovingkindness by Your right hand, O You who save those who trust in You From those who rise up against them. Psalm 17:7 (11)
Now Esther spoke again to the king, fell down at his feet, and implored him with tears to counteract the evil of Haman the Agagite, and the scheme which he had devised against the Jews. – The King Ahasuerus said, “You yourselves write a decree concerning the Jews, as you please, in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s signet ring; for whatever is written in the king’s name and sealed with the king’s signet ring no one can revoke.” 1-3, 8
Many times I have fell on my face in prayer to You Almighty God! Imploring Your Good and Perfect Will to be done, even when I don’t know what it will be. When I find horrific things going on near or far, within me or outside, I know You Are the Solution. You will do what is needed to make things Right, in Your way and time. Thank You for Esther’s good example.
Lord God, You always hold out Your Scepter to us who come to You through the Blood Sacrifice of Your Son Jesus, our Messiah. Please protect and fulfill the needs of Your children within all the nations who persecute Your people. Cause salvation to come the persecutors and Your Glory to be displayed! (12)
The Jews had light and gladness, joy and honor. … Then many of the people of the land became Jews, because fear of the Jews fell upon them. 16-17
Revelation 13 I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, – The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority…- Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, – to make war with the saints and to overcome them. v.1-7
Did I think Haman was bad? No one will be worse than the man of lawlessness, the Anti-Christ, the one with the power from satan. (13) Just as Haman wanted to demolish God’s people, this one will accomplish it because the Lord God will have removed the “Restrainer”, the Holy Spirit, from planet earth. (14)
So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is able to make war with him?” – All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world….Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.v.4-10
Only the people “whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb”, those who never chose to believe, trust and surrender to the Lord Jesus Christ and to obey God’s Word for God’s glory, only those people will worship a false god and have the same destiny as he (15).
Patience and Faith! Longsuffering for God’s people! Lord Jesus, please increase the faith of Your people for that time, and increase their hope in You, Savior Jesus!!! Thank you (ahead of time) for preparing and giving them just what they need and protecting them in timely fashion as they heed Your Voice and do Your will (John 10:27-30) for Your Glory!
He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. v.14-17
Lord Jesus, Your Word is very clear. There will be a very bad person (beast) who will have an image made which will seem like it is alive. People will be commanded to worship the image (16) of the beast and to receive a “mark” on their hand or forehead with the mark or name of the beast on them. If they do not, they are persecuted.
Lord Jesus, out of fear these people will worship the beast, not from love! Fear of pain and death will drive people to comply in hopes that they will get what they need. This is the opposite of us who worship You out of Love and Gratitude, Lord God Almighty! When we come to You, You immediately give us Eternal Life (2 Corinthians 9:15) and all the Gifts we need (17). We worship You because of Your Character, for Who You Are, not for what we can get!!!
These people receive fear and instability. This is NOTHING like Christ-followers receive SONSHIP by the Lord God, Co-heirs with Christ Jesus, and given intimacy with the Most High and endless peace, joy, hope, wisdom, fruit, and an abundant variety of blessings!!! (17)
Lord God, please awaken and enliven people to be new creatures (2 Cor 5:17) before the Tribulation. (Joel 2:1-17). Open people’s minds and hearts Your Word so they know Who to Really Fear (Luke 12:5) and why.
Lord God Almighty, thank You for sending Your Son Jesus (18) to earth. God, thank You for putting on fleshing and living with mankind, dying by taking the punishment and eternal wrath that I deserve for every bad thing I have ever done, and living after you died proving Your Victory over sin and death! I choose You as my Savior and Lord this day. Take all of my sins and put them on the cross of Jesus Christ so I bear them no more. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I would live for You now and forever, by Your Word and Holy Spirit and for Your Glory alone!! In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.
Bible Insights –
1 – Psalm 37:10, Proverbs 10:25, Revelation 20:7-15, Romans 1:18-32, 2 Timothy 3:1-9
3 – Romans 1:16; Matthew 10:33; Mark 8:38; Luke 9:26; Acts 6:8-7:60
4- Proverbs 21:1, Proverbs 16:9
5 – The Lord’s Delights – Psalm 37:4; Psalm 37:23; Proverbs 3:12; Proverbs 11:1; Proverbs 11:20; Proverbs 12:22; Proverbs 15:8; Proverbs 16:13; Isaiah 42:1; Isaiah 58:2; Isaiah 58:14; Isaiah 62:4; Psalm 147:11; Psalm 149:4; Zephaniah 3:17
6 – To please God – Colossians 1:10-14; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 10:38; Psalm 51:17; Psalm 35:27
7 – Proverbs 16:18, Proverbs 11:2, Proverbs 29:23
10 – Psalm 51:17, 1 John 2:1, Job 16:19, Romans 8:26-27,34, Hebrews 7:25
18 – John 1:1-3,14, John 3:16-17, Colossians 1:15, Hebrews 1:3
Crystal (PsalmThirty4)
Sixty-six books in a year 