Est 6 | MHM | STEP | The Record of Mordecai's Loyalty. This section shows the difference between human plans and God’s plans. Haman wanted to kill Mordecai, but God made sure the king would honor Mordecai instead. Even though Haman had power, the king’s word was stronger, and above both, God’s plan could not be stopped. This moment is important because Mordecai’s honor and Haman’s disappointment prepare the way for Esther to help save the Jewish people the next day. God’s timing is perfect, and sometimes delays work out for a greater good. Let’s follow how God’s providence moved to raise Mordecai to honor. v. 1 : On that night could not the king sleep . The king could not sleep, even after a banquet and with all his power. God, who gives sleep, kept it from him for a reason. Sometimes, people cannot sleep even when they want to. Maybe the king’s conscience was troubled because he had not seen Esther for over thirty days. God used his sleeplessness as part of His plan. Since he could not sleep, the king ordered the book of records to be read to him . He did not ask for music or songs, as Persian kings often did (Daniel 6:18 ). Instead, God guided him to choose the records. He might have wanted to use his time wisely, but God had another purpose. If it had been King David, he would have spent the time thinking about God and reading the Bible (Psalm 64:6 ).

‏ Esther 6

The Record of Mordecai's Loyalty.

This section shows the difference between human plans and God’s plans. Haman wanted to kill Mordecai, but God made sure the king would honor Mordecai instead. Even though Haman had power, the king’s word was stronger, and above both, God’s plan could not be stopped. This moment is important because Mordecai’s honor and Haman’s disappointment prepare the way for Esther to help save the Jewish people the next day. God’s timing is perfect, and sometimes delays work out for a greater good. Let’s follow how God’s providence moved to raise Mordecai to honor.

v. 1: On that night could not the king sleep . The king could not sleep, even after a banquet and with all his power. God, who gives sleep, kept it from him for a reason. Sometimes, people cannot sleep even when they want to. Maybe the king’s conscience was troubled because he had not seen Esther for over thirty days. God used his sleeplessness as part of His plan.

Since he could not sleep, the king ordered the book of records to be read to him . He did not ask for music or songs, as Persian kings often did (Daniel 6:18 ^a). Instead, God guided him to choose the records. He might have wanted to use his time wisely, but God had another purpose. If it had been King David, he would have spent the time thinking about God and reading the Bible (Psalm 64:6 ^b).

v. 2: While reading, the servant found the story about Mordecai saving the king from a plot . This was not by accident; God directed the servant to this record. Jewish tradition says the pages even turned back to the story of Mordecai. The good deed had been written before (Esther 2:23 ^c), and now it was found again at the right moment.

v. 3: The king asked, What honour and dignity has been done to Mordecai for this? He realized that Mordecai’s good deed had not been rewarded, just like Pharaoh’s butler remembered his own fault much later (Genesis 41:9 ^d). We should always be grateful, especially to those below us. It is good to honor others, even if we cannot repay them. And it is better to show gratitude late than never at all.

The servants told the king that nothing had been done for Mordecai. Mordecai was still sitting at the king’s gate, not promoted. This shows that important people often forget about those who serve them. But God never forgets even the lowliest of His servants. Mordecai’s humility and self-denial did not help him to rise in the world, while proud Haman was in favor. But God supports the humble (upholds the humble in spirit, Proverbs 29:23 ^e). Often, the best people are overlooked and unrewarded, as it says in Ecclesiastes 9:14-16 ^f. Even now, Mordecai’s good service did not protect him from danger, because the king’s command was for all Jews to be destroyed. But those who serve God do not need to be afraid if people do not reward them.

The Honour Conferred on Mordecai.

This section shows a sudden change in events. Haman hurried to the palace to get permission to kill Mordecai, but God had a different plan. The king, unable to sleep, was now eager to honor Mordecai. This story is a reminder that God can turn situations around in an instant. People may make plans, but God’s will is always greater.

v. 4: It is early in the morning, and Haman arrives at the court in a hurry. He wants to be the first to speak to the king and ask for permission to hang Mordecai. He thinks that the king will quickly agree, especially since he already built the gallows for Mordecai’s execution .

v. 5: At the same time, the king wants to honor Mordecai and asks who is in the court to help him with this job. The servants say that Haman is there. The king says, Let him come in, thinking Haman is the right person to carry out the king’s favor. Haman is brought in right away, feeling proud to have special access to the king. He thinks this is the perfect moment to ask for Mordecai’s death, not knowing the king has something very different in mind .

v. 6: The king asks Haman, What shall be done to the man whom the king delights to honour? (Esther 6:6 ^g). It is good for leaders to enjoy rewarding good actions, not just giving punishments. This encourages people to do what is right and good.

v. 6-9: Haman thinks the king must be talking about him. He suggests giving the honored man the royal robes, the king’s own horse, and the royal crown. He says the man should be led through the city by one of the king’s noble princes, with everyone being told, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honour (Esther 6:8-9 ^h). Haman’s pride makes him think he is the most important person. He believes the king loves him more than anyone else. This is a warning to us not to think too highly of ourselves or trust too much in what others think of us. Haman’s plan is grand, thinking he is preparing honor for himself.

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v. 10: Suddenly, the king tells Haman to do everything he suggested for Mordecai the Jew . Haman is shocked and upset. He had hoped to destroy Mordecai, but now he must honor him in front of everyone. The king’s decision cannot be changed or argued with. As it says, The heart of the king is unsearchable (Proverbs 25:3 ⁱ), but it can be changed by God.

v. 11: Haman has no choice but to obey. He brings the royal clothes and horse to Mordecai and leads him through the city as the king’s favorite. Mordecai does not show extra respect to Haman and does not care about Haman’s fake kindness. Both men had to do what the king ordered. For Mordecai, this was a sign of the king’s favor and gave hope that Esther could save the Jews .

Haman Cast Down.

This section shows the results of pride and humility. Mordecai is honored but stays humble, while Haman is brought low because of his pride. The events here remind us that God can quickly change a person’s situation. Those who trust in themselves may fall, but those who trust in God can stand firm.

v. 12: Mordecai is not proud after being honored. He simply returns to his place at the king’s gate and continues his work as before . Mordecai shows that true honor does not make a person lazy or proud.

Haman, on the other hand, is deeply upset by what happened. He rushes home in grief, with his head covered in shame. He cannot stand the thought of honoring Mordecai, the very man he planned to destroy. What hurt his pride most was having to serve Mordecai in public, even though this was the same honor he had suggested for himself. A proud person’s heart can break over things that would not even trouble a humble person.

v. 13: When Haman tells his wife and friends what happened, they warn him that he will not win against Mordecai. They say, 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 . His friends do not comfort him or advise him to ask for forgiveness. They predict his defeat and destruction. They know that the Jews are God’s special people, and anyone who fights against them will lose. They also see that Haman’s fall has already started, and once a powerful person begins to fall, it can happen very quickly.

v. 14: Just then, Haman is called to Esther’s banquet (Esther 6:14 ^j). He hopes this feast will cheer him up and restore his honor. But in God’s plan, this is the perfect time for Esther to speak against him. God’s wisdom can be seen in the timing and order of events to save His people and show His glory.