A Sleepless Night and a Twist of Fate
I used to find insomnia so frustrating; I don’t fight it anymore – when I have a sleepless night, I get up and make a cup of tea.
Here is Today’s Printable for you for Esther Chapter 6.
The King’s Sleepless Night
Esther Chapter 6 begins…
“During the night the King could not sleep…” Literally it says, the King’s sleep fled.
So he ordered the Book of Records to be read to him.
I can picture this being an insomnia-buster. But, instead of getting sleepy, the King realizes that Mordecai was never rewarded for saving his life and uncovering the plot to kill him. (Esther 2:21-23)
Commentaries mention that it’s God that keeps sleep from the King so His sovereign purpose can unfold. This takes the focus off the characters in the story, and puts the focus on God.
At that moment, Haman arrives to speak to the king about his brilliant idea of hanging Mordecai on the gallows, and the craziest twist of fate happens; yet it’s not fate at all.
The King Seeks Advice from His Trusted Protector, Haman [Tweet This]
The king asks, “What’s to be done for a man the King desires to honor?”
Haman says to himself, “Whom will the king want to honor more than me?”
Haman proceeds to do it up big with every expectation of the honor he is due. He sees himself astride the king’s horse, led through the town square wearing the King’s robe and crown. The crowd watches on as the words of the king’s man leading him, hail him again and again.
The king heartily agrees with Haman’s ideas, and tells him to do all of this…for Mordecai the Jew.
Can you picture the scene? Imagine the expression on Haman’s face. It’s a classic pride-comes-before-the-fall.
Unable to Stop When Free Falling
Haman’s face fell. He did what the King commanded and then hurried home in mourning with his face covered. His plan was going down faster than a roller coaster on the first drop. Even worse, his wife turns on him with this statement:
“If Mordecai is of Jewish origin you will fall before him.”
This twist of fate creates quite a mess and throws Haman off-balance. #QueenEsther Click To Tweet
It makes me think of the verse in Matthew that says:
Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted. Matthew 23:12
This twist of fate creates quite a mess and throws Haman off-balance. Haman’s plans are unraveling but not before the eunuchs come and quickly take him to Esther’s banquet.
Next time, join me for chapter seven where the truth comes out…
Jeanne
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After your study of Esther, watch a DRAMA of this story with your study group. Though not perfect, One Night with the King gives an interesting three-dimensional view to Esther’s story. And, if you are looking for Biblical fiction which takes place around the time of Esther, Lynn Austin has a series I have listed below. I just ordered the first in the series.
Also, it is time to start preparing for your Purim celebration. Traditional foods like Hamantashen. I will share a recipe with you soon or you can find them at Amazon.
Images Courtesy of Morguefile.com