Haman’s plan to hang Mordecai backfires, and he is forced to honor him instead.
“So Haman came in, and the king said to him, ‘What should be done to the man whom the king delights to honor?’ And Haman said to the king, ‘…let royal robes be brought… and the horse that the king has ridden… be handed over to one of the king’s most noble officials. Let them dress the man whom the king delights to honor, and let them lead him on the horse through the square of the city…’ Then the king said to Haman, ‘Hurry… do so to Mordecai… Leave out nothing that you have mentioned.’ ” (v6-11 abr)
The king remembers how Mordecai saved his life from an assassination plot. He asks Haman how to show someone special honor, and Haman (thinking he was the one to be honored), suggests a royal parade. The king, excited with this plan, tells Haman that Mordecai is the one to be honored, and he’s the one to lead the parade. I cannot imagine Haman’s dumbfounded shock and humiliation as he’s ironically forced to publicly honor the man he despises so much.
God has ironic ways of humiliating His enemies. Do you have impenetrable walls? He’ll bring them down with passive marching and music. Do you have an elite, unbeatable army? He’ll throw them into confusion so they kill each other. Do you have an invincible giant? He’ll take him down with a runt and a small stone. Do you have the most advanced and powerful civilization in the world? He’ll decimate them with insects and frogs.
God cannot be stopped or humiliated, and He fiercely protects His people. Yes, He allows His people to suffer as a result of their own sin, though He will never let Satan declare a final victory. Satan thought he won by having Jesus executed, but it was Jesus’ death that ironically saves our souls from the death Satan desires. God always has a plan, and His sovereign will cannot be thwarted, no matter how cunning, powerful, well-equipped, or numerous His enemies are – it’s futile to resist God.
I encourage us to trust in God and His plans, partnering with Him as we’re called. Who knows? We may be vessels through which God thwarts some of the enemy’s plans. Are you curious how God will work through us? I sure am. Let’s find out.
Father God, our Sovereign and Awe-Inspiring Lord, You are Wise and Brilliant beyond our imaginations. Nobody can fathom the breadth of Your knowledge and insight, so we invite You to please work in and through us according to Your purposes. Would You be our protector and guide, helping us to build Your Kingdom, while confounding the enemy. Would we win every battle You ordain, and stand strong in the face of adversity. We honor Jesus our victorious King, forever and ever, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training