The Unseen Hand

Posted by Dion Todd January 7th, 2024 2,601 Views 0 Comments

Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, and take the clothing and the horse, as you have said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king's gate: let nothing fail of all that you have spoken. Then took Haman the clothing and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and caused him to ride through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor." Esther 6:10'11 WEB.

Haman the Agagite was second in command to the king of the Persian empire. He was an arrogant man who wore the king's signet ring on his finger. He hated Mordecai the Jew because he wouldn't bow down when he walked by or stand and tremble when he passed by as the other officials did.

Haman was a descendant of King Agag, while Mordecai was a Benjaminite descended from King Saul. This means that their families had been mortal enemies for a long time (1Samuel 15:9). If King Saul had followed God's command to wipe out the Amalekites, Haman would have probably never been born (1Samuel 15:3).

Haman shared his woes about Mordecai the Jew during a night of drinking with his friends. They suggested that he build a gallows seventy-five feet high and ask the king to hang Mordecai on it. That would surely fix it. So the next morning, Haman joyfully had the gallows built, then visited the king to ask him to hang Mordecai. He planned to attend a royal banquet in the afternoon with the king and queen.

Yet, Haman didn't know that God had been working behind the scenes during the night. He whispered instructions to the pagan king. The king hadn't been able to sleep, so he had a book of records brought out and read. He learned that a man named Mordecai had once saved the king's life but had gotten no reward. He couldn't get it off of his mind. It kept coming back to him.

So the moment that Haman entered the courtyard, the king summoned him and asked: 'What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?' Haman assumed the king was talking about him, so he came up with an elaborate plan of dressing this man in the king's royal robe, setting him on the king's horse, and having his highest official lead him through the city streets, proclaiming: 'This is the man whom the king delights to honor!'

When Haman completed his speech, the king told him to do everything he had said for Mordecai immediately, the man Haman hated and wanted to be hanged. The king told him: 'Leave nothing out!' So Haman had to dress Mordecai in the king's royal clothing, put him on the king's horse, and lead him through the city streets, shouting before him. It was the beginning of a great fall for Haman and a great promotion for Mordecai. After the afternoon banquet with the king and queen, Haman was hanged on the gallows he built for Mordecai.

God isn't even mentioned in the book of Esther, but oh, He is there silently working in the lives of His people, delivering them from things they don't yet know about. The wind is invisible but powerful, and so is the power of God. There was no sign from heaven, and no one heard a sound, yet circumstances began to change around them. The Holy Spirit inspired the heathen king to read from the record books when he couldn't sleep, and He led him to the right page. Haman, Mordecai, and Esther were all in the right place at the right time.

Instead of being destroyed, the people of God were promoted, and something good came out of something bad. God can make what was meant to harm you exalt you. What was meant for evil can work out for your good! So don't fear what others have devised against you. As you focus on God, He will take care of things you don't know about yet. Put your trust in Him, for not even a sparrow is forgotten (Luke 12:6). No weapon formed against you will prosper.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You for taking care of me. My help comes from above! I pray that You guide me and help me be in the right place at the right time. Disrupt the enemy's plans and help me see my way clearly. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!

Note: All are invited to join us this morning for our RHM Live Online church service and Christmas celebration! This is a special time of worship, prayer, fellowship and an inspiring message. All are welcome! Here is the link to join: RHM Live

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