Esther 6:6
“So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour? Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honour more than to myself?”
Context:The book of Esther is set during the time when the Jewish people were in exile in Persia. Esther, a Jewish woman, becomes queen to King Ahasuerus (also known as Xerxes I). Haman, a high-ranking official, plots to exterminate all the Jews. In Esther 6, we witness a pivotal moment where the tables turn for Haman.
The King’s Question:King Ahasuerus summons Haman to seek his advice on how to honor someone. This question sets the stage for a significant turn of events. The king’s query implies that he desires to bestow great favor on someone deserving of honor.
Haman’s Pride:Haman, known for his pride and arrogance, assumes that he is the one whom the king wants to honor. He immediately thinks that no one else in the kingdom would be more deserving of such recognition. Haman’s inflated ego blinds him to the possibility that the king might have someone else in mind.
Reflection on Pride:Haman’s response reveals the destructive nature of pride. Proverbs 16:18 (KJV) says, “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” Haman’s arrogance leads him to a false assumption and sets him up for a significant fall in the subsequent events.
God’s Providence:Although God’s name is not explicitly mentioned in the book of Esther, His providential hand is evident throughout the narrative. In this verse, we see God’s intervention, subtly orchestrating events to bring about the downfall of Haman and the salvation of His people. God uses the pride and self-centeredness of Haman to accomplish His purposes.
- Humility and Recognition:The contrast between Haman’s pride and the humble character of Esther, who risked her life to save her people, is significant. While Haman seeks recognition for himself, Esther seeks to bring honor to God and to serve others. As followers of Christ, we are called to emulate the humility of Jesus and consider others as more important than ourselves (Philippians 2:3-8).
