All three books, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther, tell us stories of life under Persian rule. They depict Jewish prominence as well as Anti-Jewish sentiment. As believers, like the Jews throughout history, we are pilgrims and strangers on planet earth. God will use both those who honor him, and those who do not to bring about His plans for He is sovereign, and He is mightier than any evil Haman.

After Esther is chosen to be the new queen, life seems to return to “normal,” while behind the scenes, God is getting ready to destroy Satan’s puppet Haman. Haman has two problems: anger and pride. He is angry at Mordecai’s refusal to bow, so crafts a piece of legislation to annihilate all Jews.  What Haman does not know or remember is that it is Mordecai who unearthed an assassination plot to kill the king, but is never rewarded.  Secondly, the king is unsuspecting of Haman’s motives, but God will use insomnia to start the revelation. Esther, in the meantime, is sequestered behind palace walls, unaware of the happenings in Susa.

God has his ways of revealing the truth. He is no fool, and He will not be mocked [Gal 6]. Haman teaches us the truth that pride goeth before the fall. [Prov 16:18] Satan thinks he has the upper hand and is in control, but once again, we can see the truth of [Prov 16:19] “A man’s heart devises his way: but the LORD directs his steps,”  as well as how God divinely orchestrates past, present and the future to bring glory to Himself.