The Thwarted Schemes of the Wicked

By Danny Saavedra

“That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him. It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, who had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. ‘What honor and recognition has Mordecai received for this?’ the king asked. ‘Nothing has been done for him,’ his attendants answered. The king said, ‘Who is in the court?’ Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the palace to speak to the king about impaling Mordecai on the pole he had set up for him. His attendants answered, ‘Haman is standing in the court.’ ‘Bring him in,’ the king ordered. When Haman entered, the king asked him, ‘What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?’ Now Haman thought to himself, ‘Who is there that the king would rather honor than me?’ So he answered the king, ‘For the man the king delights to honor, have them bring a royal robe the king has worn and a horse the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head. Then let the robe and horse be entrusted to one of the king’s most noble princes. Let them robe the man the king delights to honor, and lead him on the horse through the city streets, proclaiming before him, “This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!’ ‘Go at once,’ the king commanded Haman. ‘Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate. Do not neglect anything you have recommended.’”—Esther 6:1–10 (NIV)

As we read in our last devotional, Haman was plotting to have Mordecai impaled on a pole. You see, Haman’s plot to commit genocide against the Jewish people, particularly Haman, was taking too long, and he couldn’t take another day of having to see Mordecai’s face. Why? Because Mordecai refused to kneel before Haman whenever Haman passed him (Haman was completely consumed by insecurity and pride).

But the night before Haman was coming to ask the king to let him kill Mordecai, the king couldn’t rest. Something—the God who thwarts the schemes of the wicked—compelled him to check the records and see the great service Mordecai had done for him. And he asked what reward and recognition had been given to the man who saved him: “Nothing has been done for him.”

And at that moment, who should walk into the king’s court—with a wicked scheme in his heart—but Haman. Then, Xerxes asked him, “What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?”

Haman basically thinks to himself, Who’s more honorable than me? This will really stick it to that Mordecai before I kill him! Since Haman thinks the king is going to honor him, he throws out an elaborate parade of pomp and circumstance involving robes, horses, and crests, to which the king agrees. But then he drops this delicious piece of irony: “Go at once ... Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate. Do not neglect anything you have recommended.”

As David says, “The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them; but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming” (In Psalm 37:12–13 NIV). And indeed, the day of Haman was coming.

Now, I know sometimes it seems that the wicked, unjust, cruel, evil, oppressive, and greedy keep getting away with things. Their bad deeds go unpunished; their wickedness rewarded. But, my friends, the day of reckoning is coming. Whether in this life or the next, the wicked will receive their due and the proud will be humbled while those who are saved, who have been given the right to be called children of God, who walk in humility, obedience, love, and compassion will be honored. It may not happen in this life like it did for Mordecai, but when we breathe our last, we’ll be lifted up in glory with Christ! Take comfort and joy in this truth, friends!

I want to leave you with this thought/exhortation: Should we simply wait for the wicked person’s day to come and the proud to fall? Should we let them continue in wickedness until their ultimate demise? Or should we instead pray for them? Should we not desire their salvation? In the economy of eternity, without Jesus we’re equally guilty and deserving of God’s wrath. We shouldn’t desire the demise of this Haman or the many Hamans that roam the earth today. Instead, we should desire what God desires:

“I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live.”—Ezekiel 33:11 (NIV)

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”—2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)

Pause: What does this passage teach us about God’s ways? What does it teach us about His purposes and plans for everything that happens?

Practice: Pray today for the Hamans in the world and in your life—not for their fall, but that they would come to faith in Jesus!

Pray: Dear Lord, thank You that in all things You work for the good of those who love You and are called according to Your purposes (Romans 8:28). Thank You that even though the wicked intend to cause us harm, You intend for our good and for the saving of many lives. May we never forget this! May we never forget that You keep all Your promises and that one day we will be able to see that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed. May we never forget that apart from Jesus we’re no less guilty than Haman and just as deserving of Your wrath. Therefore, let us be devoted to redemption and salvation of the wicked and unjust as opposed to their demise. Please, Lord, move in their hearts and minds today. By Your Spirit, turn them from their wicked ways so they may come to repentance and live! Amen.