[Chapter 6]

1. Every good deed counts in God's sight

Esther 6:1-3
1 That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him.
2 It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's officers who guarded the doorway, who had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes.
3 "What honor and recognition has Mordecai received for this?" the king asked. "Nothing has been done for him," his attendants answered.

In the previous chapter we learned that Haman plotted against Mordecai to hang him on the gallows built for Mordecai. But God is not pleased with the evil action of Haman and God provided a way out to rescue and reward Mordecai for his outstanding good deed of revealing the conspiracy of two King's officers, Bigthama and Teresh, to assassinate King Xerxes. Roman 13:2 says, "Consequently he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. God never tolerates such sin.

Mordecai was God fearing man and he was very faithful and grateful to God, as he knows very well that God had redeemed him from the captivity of the exiles whom Nebachadnezzer, king of Babylon had taken captivity. (Ezra 2:2; Neh 7:7) He honored the king and immediately reported about the conspiracy to king Xerxes.

Here, he saved a life (a soul) whom God made a ruler (king) read Roman 13:1. He was faithful to the authority which God had established. Mordecai thought of his past sufferings when he was in the captivity and was grateful to God for the redemption. To show his gratitude to king, he has done this timely help to rescue King's life. God blessed Mordecai and exalted him by recording his good deed in the Chronicles.

We also should be grateful to Jesus who had redeemed us from the captivity of Satan. We should care for the lost souls and save their lives. Sometimes there may be conspiracy by rebellious disciples against peers, leaders etc. When you aware of this, immediately call both and settle the issue. By this you can save the disciples. Always help them to wipe out the hatred towards each other.

Mordecai put an end to the sin, so he was exalted and in the same way your name will be in the Book of life (Ph 4:3), if you put an end to sin.

2. God opposes the proud, but exalts the humble

Esther 6:4-9
4 The king said, "Who is in the court?" Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the palace to speak to the king about hanging Mordecai on the gallows he had erected for him.
5 His attendants answered, "Haman is standing in the court." "Bring him in," the king ordered.
6 When Haman entered, the king asked him, "What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?" Now Haman thought to himself, "Who is there that the king would rather honor than me?"
7 So he answered the king, "For the man the king delights to honor,
8 have them bring a royal robe the king has worn and a horse the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head.
9 Then let the robe and horse be entrusted to one of the king's most noble princes. Let them robe the man the king delights to honor, and lead him on the horse through the city streets, proclaiming before him, 'This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!'"

In Vs.4-9, we can see Haman's self glorification. He imagines about his future life how awesome it would be, thinking that the king is going to honor him in his kingdom. He says, "who is there that the king would rather honor than me". His pride was too much. Romans 12:3 says, "Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment". He never considers anybody worth than him in king's sight.

Before becoming as disciple, I use to think like this, forgetting what God had done in my life, and I faced more failures. But God is awesome, made me to repent and also made me to humble. Thank God.

3. One's own mouth condemns him and his own lips testify against him

Esther 6:10-14
10 "Go at once," the king commanded Haman. "Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king's gate. Do not neglect anything you have recommended."
11 So Haman got the robe and the horse. He robed Mordecai, and led him on horseback through the city streets, proclaiming before him, "This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!"
12 Afterward Mordecai returned to the king's gate. But Haman rushed home, with his head covered in grief,
13 and told Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him. His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, "Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has started, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him--you will surely come to ruin!"
14 While they were still talking with him, the king's eunuchs arrived and hurried Haman away to the banquet Esther had prepared.

Now Haman could not escape from king's order since he had recommended the way, how to honor the man, the king delights to honor. How great God's plan to humble the pride. God made Haman to robe Mordecai and led him on horse-back through the city streets, proclaiming before him. God made Haman to be ashamed before his wife, friends etc., and cried.

If we are proud and not listening and rebelling against leaders, God will make as to realize. Here also we can see God speaks through his own friends and relatives that Haman can not stand before God's people and also he will be ruined (Ver.4)