Consuming Hatred


Esther 5:1-14
1 On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king’s palace, in front of the king’s quarters, while the king was sitting on his royal throne inside the throne room opposite the entrance to the palace. 2 And when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she won favor in his sight, and he held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter. 3 And the king said to her, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given you, even to the half of my kingdom.” 4 And Esther said, “If it please the king, let the king and Haman come today to a feast that I have prepared for the king.” 5 Then the king said, “Bring Haman quickly, so that we may do as Esther has asked.” So the king and Haman came to the feast that Esther had prepared. 6 And as they were drinking wine after the feast, the king said to Esther, “What is your wish? It shall be granted you. And what is your request? Even to the half of my kingdom, it shall be fulfilled.” 7 Then Esther answered, “My wish and my request is: 8 If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my wish and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come to the feast that I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do as the king has said.” 9 And Haman went out that day joyful and glad of heart. But when Haman saw Mordecai in the king’s gate, that he neither rose nor trembled before him, he was filled with wrath against Mordecai. 10 Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home, and he sent and brought his friends and his wife Zeresh. 11 And Haman recounted to them the splendor of his riches, the number of his sons, all the promotions with which the king had honored him, and how he had advanced him above the officials and the servants of the king. 12 Then Haman said, “Even Queen Esther let no one but me come with the king to the feast she prepared. And tomorrow also I am invited by her together with the king. 13 Yet all this is worth nothing to me, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.” 14 Then his wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Let a gallows fifty cubits [75 feet!] high be made, and in the morning tell the king to have Mordecai hanged upon it. Then go joyfully with the king to the feast.” This idea pleased Haman, and he had the gallows made.
The Audience Chamber of the King of Persia
After three days of fasting, Esther is ready to risk an uninvited audience with the king. In that moment she did not know whether she would live or die. Had Xerxes not extended his scepter to her she would have died where she stood. But God moved the king to be favorably disposed to her and she is allowed to speak. In her response to the king we learn how strong and clever she has become. She doesn’t blurt out her request to save her people from extermination. Instead, she invites the king and Haman to a special banquet. The king is pleased and Haman is puffed up with pride over this private invitation.

Even as Xerxes and Haman join Esther for this private banquet, she is holding her cards close. The king asks again what she would like from him, even promising to give her half his kingdom which was a way to say, “I’ll give you anything you ask.” But she holds her peace and does not yet reveal her desires. Instead, she asks the two men to yet another private party. Haman leaves the first dinner assured of his outstanding status with the royal couple.

Now comes the part of the story that is truly shocking. We are given a glimpse into the depth of Haman’s hatred. He chances across Mordecai in the city gate and Mordecai is not sufficiently fearful and awestruck by Haman. This infuriates Haman and his hatred is kindled into a white-hot rage. It’s hard for me to imagine that kind of hatred. As his rage burns, he determines to erect the gallows for Mordecai’s execution. This structure is 75 feet high so that all would be able to see his demise. One can almost feel Haman’s hatred burning off the pages as he plans to watch Mordecai die. It’s almost frightening. But God is still the Master of the story. His hand has not left anything to chance and His will is going to triumph. We know that on this side of the story, but Esther did not. We must continue to marvel at Esther’s courage and intelligence. God enables all whom He chooses.

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