Mordecai is Honored
Esther 6:10-14
I think you will agree that the sixth chapter of Esther is a very exciting text. In fact, the twists and turns within this biblical account would make a best-selling novel or movie script. However, they are not fiction; this is an actual account of the lives of real people. The outcome is certainly not what Haman expected. I can imagine his mouth watering in anticipation of what he perceived as the next great honor to be bestowed upon him. He came into the king’s palace on top of the world, but he would leave feeling very uncertain about his future.
As we considered last week, God holds absolute control over the lives of men. He is sovereign in every aspect of our lives. His divine plans will always be carried out according to His sovereign will. While Haman hoped to obtain the king’s approval to hang Mordecai, God determined to honor him in advance of bringing deliverance to the Jews.
The text reveals much that we could consider. It deals with the sinfulness of men and their desire for wealth, position, and power. It also reveals the hand of God in the lives of His people, bringing abundant blessing when utter destruction seems inevitable. There is also a beautiful picture of Christ our Lord in this passage. I hope to touch on each of these as we move through the text. I want to consider the details within this passage as we think on: Mordecai is Honored.
I. The Proclamation for the Honor (10) – Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at the king's gate: let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken. Ahasuerus gives the order to honor Mordecai. Consider:
A. The Attendant – Then the king said to Haman…As we consider this great honor that is to be bestowed on Mordecai, think of the hatred and animosity Haman had for him. He had come that morning to seek the king’s approval to hang Mordecai on the gallows. While Haman thought the king sought to grant him more honor, he devised this elaborate plan to further elevate his status among the people. Now imagine how he felt as the king ordered him to honor Mordecai instead. Rather than the gallows, Mordecai would be honored by the king among the people.
Sinful men can lay out their best made plans, but they will never trump the will of God. Sin may bring pleasure, but it is only for a season. Eventually one will be forced to face their sin and deal with the consequences it brings!
B. The Appropriation (10a) – Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at the king's gate. Ahasuerus instructed Haman to carry out his plan for the man the king sought to honor. He agreed with what Haman had proposed. Mordecai was to be dressed in the king’s apparel, placed on the king’s horse, and paraded through the city in order to honor him. This would be an event that would certainly gather the attention of the residents of the city. The king held nothing back in honoring Mordecai for his good deed.
While we are not promised favor of the world, nor should we desire it, we are assured of God’s provision in our lives. If you are in Christ, you have access to all that heaven affords. We may find ourselves lacking materially at times, but there is no need for a believer to live below their means spiritually. Phil.4:19 – But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
C. The Assurance (10b) – let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken. Ahasuerus commanded Haman to carry out this honor just as he had proposed it. He was to let nothing fail in regard to honoring Mordecai. The king wanted Mordecai to receive great honor for his faithfulness.
The promises of God for the believer are many, and we can rest assured knowing none of them will fail. Every believer is secure in Christ and promised eternal life in Him. Of all the promises we have received, none are greater than what our Lord spoke of in John 10. John 10:28-29 – And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. [29] My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
II. The Presentation of the Honor (11) – Here we discover the details of this great honor and how Mordecai was presented to the residents of the city. Consider:
A. The Adornment (11a) – Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai. Although unhappy in his assignment, Haman knew he had no choice. He arrayed Mordecai in the king’s apparel and placed him upon the royal mount. The last time we had any record of Mordecai’s raiment, he was dressed in sackcloth, but now he is arrayed in royal garments.
I am thankful for the day that I was able to trade the rags of sin and death for the garments of righteousness in Christ. I am no longer clothed in sin and condemnation, but robed in garments made clean by the blood of the Lamb!
I also am reminded of the last time we have an account of Christ riding on an animal. He rode in to Bethlehem on a donkey, robed in the garments of a servant, preparing to give His life the atoning sacrifice for sin. He died on the cross, but He rose again triumphant. He ascended back to the Father, but He will come again in power and great glory! Rev.19:11-16 – And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. [12] His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. [13] And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. [14] And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. [15] And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. [16] And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
B. The Attention (11a) – Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the street of the city. Haman led Mordecai through the city, arrayed in the king’s garments, riding the king’s horse. Everyone present that day saw the honor bestowed on Mordecai.
The first time our Lord came He was despised and rejected of His own. He was viewed as a blasphemer worthy of death. As men looked upon Him they mocked and sneered. His second coming will be much different! Rev.1:7 – Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
C. The Announcement (11b) – Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour. Although Haman desired this honor for himself, he was ordered to declare unto the residents: this is what is done for the man whom the king delights to honor. He had to declare Mordecai as a man of honor among his peers.
I rejoice that I have bowed in submission to Christ, proclaiming Him Lord and Savior in this life. While multitudes have refused, and many continue to refuse, all will bow and proclaim Christ Lord of all. Phil.2:9-11 – Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: [10] That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; [11] And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
III. The Perplexity in the Honor (12-14) – The concluding verses reveal the great perplexity Haman felt following the honor bestowed on Mordecai. Notice:
A. The Irony (12) – And Mordecai came again to the king's gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered. Haman had intended to secure a death sentence for Mordecai that morning, but instead he was ordered to attend to his great honor from the king. Following this show of honor, Mordecai returned to the king’s gate and Haman fled home with his head covered in mourning. One thought unworthy was honored, and the one who felt his desires were going according to plan went home ashamed. Job 20:5 – That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?
B. The Humility (13a) – And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing that had befallen him. How quickly situations can change. Just the evening before Haman had called his wife and friends to brag of his status within the kingdom, feeling very confident in his future. He had left that morning to secure the final piece in his master plan, but in a moment’s time his plans came crashing down around him. He is now standing before them in shame, having no choice but to admit what had just transpired.
C. The Prophecy (13b) – Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him. God in His sovereignty used the friends and wife of Haman to prophesy the events that would unfold. None of them could have known how it would all come to be, or how quickly Haman would die, but they spoke truth nonetheless.
Many today live as if they will never give account to anyone for their lives. They feel as if they are the master of their own destiny. However, the Scriptures reveal that we all have an appointment with death and we will stand before God when this life is through. Prov.28:18 – Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once. Prov.16:25 – There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Submitting to Christ in salvation through repentance and faith is our only hope for the future and escape from eternal condemnation and death.
D. The Uncertainty (14) – And while they were yet talking with him, came the king's chamberlains, and hasted to bring Haman unto the banquet that Esther had prepared. While still mourning and confused by the day’s events, Haman was escorted by the king’s chamberlains to the banquet Esther had prepared. One can only imagine how Haman felt as this time. His world had fallen apart and I am sure he was uncertain what would befall him next. He surely felt very anxious and apprehensive about the meeting with Ahasuerus and Esther.
Life is uncertain for everyone. None of us know what a day will bring forth or how much time we have left in this life. This uncertainty is especially difficult for the unsaved. Although I don’t know what tomorrow will hold, I do know who holds tomorrow. My hope and security is settled in Christ my Lord. The unsaved do not have that security or assurance. They do not have an Anchor of the soul or a Rock of hiding. Christ is our only hope in this life and the life to come. Apart from Him there is no hope beyond the grave. Thankfully He made provision for all who will come to Him in faith believing. No one has to live with the uncertainty that Haman faced.
Conclusion: This has been an enlightening study. It has brought great encouragement regarding the coming of our Lord and His absolute sovereignty in our lives. If you are in Christ, saved by His grace, you are secure. He has made provision for you today and preparing a home for you in heaven. That alone is reason enough to rejoice. If you are unsaved, you are in a perilous condition. From all outward appearances, Haman had it all, but he did not know the living God. He had obtained a measure of wealth and prosperity, but he did not have the ability or means to keep what he had acquired. Jesus alone can provide that. If you are unsaved, come to Him today in repentance and faith. He stands ready to save and secure your future!
