Part 13- Pride Before the Fall
Esther 6 NLT
We are continuing with our series, “Esther: The Story of Purim”. Part 13 is called, “Pride Before the Fall”, and we discuss how Haman believes the king should honor a man that pleases him. The question we will address today is, what is the significance of the one man parade?
1-2 That night the king had trouble sleeping and decided to read awhile. He ordered the historical records of his kingdom from the library, and in them he came across the item telling how Mordecai had exposed the plot of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs, watchmen at the palace gates, who had plotted to assassinate him.
Time line:
Esther 1:1 - The story starts in the 3rd year of Xerxes reign, he gives a banquet and Vashti is banished from the kingdom.
Esther 2:16- In the 7th year of Xerxes reign, Esther is taken into King Xerxes quarters, she is crowned queen, Mordecai is promoted to palace official and uncovers an assasination plot against King Xerxes
Esther 3:7 - In the 12th year of Xerxes reign, Haman determines the date that the Jews must be destroyed.
Angelic intervention:
On the very night that Haman, his wife Zeresh, and all of his friends were planning Mordecai’s impalement, Xerxes kept tossing back and forth in his bed because he couldn’t sleep. Time was imperative and although it is not recorded, in my opinion, angels kept him up and prevented him from sleeping. They would have whispered in his ear to read The Book of the History of King Xerxes’ Reign.
There is precedence for angelic intervention when people were asleep. Two such incidents were when Joseph, stepfather of Jesus, was told in a dream to wake up and take Mary and Jesus to Egypt (Matthew 2). Another incident was when the Apostle Peter was in jail asleep, and an angel miraculously removed his chains, directed him to put on his clothes and shoes, and set him free (Acts 12).
Bedtime stories:
Xerxes must have started from the beginning of the book because it was day break by the time he reached the chapter about the assassination plot against him. But, the timing was perfect! Just before Haman enters the outer court, Xerxes is reminded how Mordecai saved his life five years ago.
3 “What reward did we ever give Mordecai for this?” the king asked. His courtiers replied, “Nothing!”
Mordecai’s good deed:
Two of Xerxes most trusted men, Bigthana and Teresh were entrusted to guard the most vulnerable spot in the palace and could have easily murdered him if it weren’t for Mordecai. Xerxes was really impressed that Mordecai saved his life and never asked for anything in return. How fortunate to have such an honorable soldier as one of his palace officials.
4 “Who is on duty in the outer court?” the king inquired. Now, as it happened, Haman had just arrived in the outer court of the palace to ask the king to hang Mordecai from the gallows he was building. 5 So the courtiers replied to the king, “Haman is out there.” “Bring him in,” the king ordered.
Fearful and moody:
Experiencing a momentary flashback and while sitting in a very vulnerable spot, movement was heard in the outer court and the king nervously reacted. Immediately, he demanded to know which guards were protecting his area. Interestingly, the courtiers didn’t answer the king’s question, but instead told him that he heard the footsteps of Haman. These courtiers understood Xerxes mood swings, did not snitch on each other, and gave him a response that calmed him down.
6 So Haman came in, and the king said to him, “What should I do to honor a man who truly pleases me?” Haman thought to himself, “Whom would he want to honor more than me?”
The king’s favorite:
Just a few hours ago, Haman was bragging to his wife and friends that he was the king’s favorite! Convinced that Xerxes was speaking about him, he carefully formulates his response.
7-8 So he replied, “Bring out some of the royal robes the king himself has worn, and the king’s own horse, and the royal crown, 9 and instruct one of the king’s most noble princes to robe the man and to lead him through the streets on the king’s own horse, shouting before him, ‘This is the way the king honors those who truly please him!’”
Look at me!
Ancient historians record that there were no images of the gods displayed at this time in history (1). So Haman wanted to imprint on the minds of people a deified image of himself wrapped in the king’s robe, riding a horse with a crown, and the town crier announcing his promotion.
The robe:
Although his display case was filled with trophies and medals from the king, the robes of the king would certainly be the ultimate trophy! Haman would have achieved the highest of all honors that the king could ever bestow, the ultimate promotion. In other words, when the robe hung from his shoulders, it is equivalent to being in the presence of the king himself!
The horse:
The horse that Haman was addressing is called a Nisean horse. They are now an extinct breed but at that time, were bred in Nisean plains of Persia. Ancient texts record that they were regarded as the most valuable of all horse breeds in the world. Described as “tall and swift and color adorned the sides” they were considered extraordinarily beautiful. Statues of the Nisean horse complete with a crown have been discovered among the ruins of the ancient world (2 & 3)
The royal Nisean were raised to be used by dignitaries and the gods. Two gray Nisean’s would drive the chariot of the shaw. When Persians rode into battle, an empty carriage driven by four Nisean horses would go before them as an invitation for Ahura Mazda, the god of wisdom and all knowledge, to join them in battle and grant them a victory (2).
Zoroastrianism:
Bear with me. The Persians practiced Zoroastrianism, also known as the “Good Religion”. They worshiped the deity Ahura Mazda who, while not omnipotent, was the source of all wisdom, knowledge, truth, and goodness. Ahura Mazda created yazatas or spirits that aided him in keeping men from sinning. These yazata were also worthy of worship but they were secondary to Ahura Mazda (4&5).
Ahura Mazda was superior to Angra Mainyu, the spirit of destruction and the origin of all sin and suffering. He created daevas who were evil spirits and undeserving of worship. The mission of Angra Mainyu and his daevas was to tempt humans to sin. Humans who fell into their temptations were destined for ruination (4&5).
A legend in his own mind:
A man seated on a Nisean horse, the horse of the gods, and robed in the king's raiment would be someone who is elevated a little above any human status. This is a man who obeys the yazata and is subject to the king. Not only is the king pleased, but Ahura Mazda is pleased as well.
Haman created a new position for himself. Not only is he the king’s vizier, he has been promoted to an “assistant to the yazata”. Personally, I think that Haman was securing a way to be seen as the one chosen by deity to provide the king celestial wisdom and from protecting him from the evil spirits, or daevas. In other words, he’s the neck that turns the head.
Haman approved this message:
What is the message Haman is endorsing? It pleases Ahura Mazda when someone pleases the king! To ensure that the people understood that the man on the Nisean horse was promoted by the gods, the most respected noble on the king’s court, who of course was a mere mortal, would lead the horse because someone superior, the “assistant to the yazata” was mounted on this heavenly steed.
10 “Excellent!” the king said to Haman. “Hurry and take these robes and my horse, and do just as you have said—to Mordecai the Jew, who works at the Chancellery. Follow every detail you have suggested.” 11 So Haman took the robes and put them on Mordecai, and mounted him on the king’s own steed, and led him through the streets of the city, shouting, “This is the way the king honors those he delights in.”
Mordecai is the king’s delight:
Mordecai the Jew riding the Nisean horse wrapped in the king’s raiment would be the image the citizens of Susa would have embedded in their memory. This is the way a hero is celebrated. Mordecai was like a mighty warrior being rewarded for his bravery and loyalty to the king. Much like Joseph in the book of Genesis was elevated to be the the right hand man of Pharaoh, Mordecai would soon become number two in the kingdom.
God elevates His own people:
Although both Egypt and Persia served pagan gods, the God of the Jews elevated his own people who were loyal to Him within those kingdoms in order to preserve His people. Haman would lead the horse because this was foreshadowing that Mordecai would become his replacement.
Haman did not expect this role reversal! If he argued with the king, then he would be exposed as a fake for not being all knowing. Haman was terrified!
12 Afterwards Mordecai returned to his job, but Haman hurried home utterly humiliated. 13 When Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends what had happened, they said, “If Mordecai is a Jew, you will never succeed in your plans against him; to continue to oppose him will be fatal.”
Reading the signs:
Horrified, Zeresh and all of his superstitious friends also realized this twist of fate. The stories of the Jews being rescued by their God were world renowned! Horrified, they advised Haman to ignore the evil spirits and leave Mordecai alone or his own fall would be inevitable.
It was beginning to dawn on Haman and his friends that Mordecai’s God is omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent! Haman was terrified!
14 While they were still discussing it with him, the king’s messengers arrived to conduct Haman quickly to the banquet Esther had prepared.
While still discussing the matter with his wife and friends, Haman was quickly whisked away to the palace. He didn’t have time to wash up, shave, or change his clothes. Still grieving over his public humiliation and carefully considering the advice of his wife and friends, he arrived at the banquet covered in dust from walking the roads while leading Mordecai ‘s horse. This is a reversal of Mordecai covered in ash when he was in mourning for his people.
Let’s pray:
Father,
Thank You for sending Your angels to protect Your people. You alone are everywhere at all times. You alone are all knowing and You alone are all powerful. You alone cause the proud to be demoted and elevate the lowly. Thank You for Your grace and Your protection. In Jesus name, Amen.
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