Haman's Obsession (Est. 5:10b-14)

When Haman got home, he called together his friends and his wife Zeresh and started bragging about his great wealth and all his sons. He told them the many ways that the king had honored him and how all the other officials and leaders had to respect him. Haman added, "That's not all! Besides the king himself, I'm the only person Queen Esther invited for dinner. She has also invited the king and me to dinner tomorrow. But none of this makes me happy, as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the palace gate." Haman's wife and friends said to him, "Have a tower built about seventy-five feet high, and tomorrow morning ask the king to hang Mordecai there. Then later, you can have dinner with the king and enjoy yourself." This seemed like a good idea to Haman, and he had the tower built.
(Esther 5:10b-14, CEV)

Is there any end to Mordecai’s ego … and treachery?

After dinner, he goes home and brags about how wonderful he is. He’s rich. He’s got great sons (and apparently logs of them). He’s been honored by the king. AND he just had dinner with the king and queen—and he’s the only one who was invited. AND he would be going back to dine with the royal couple again.

Good for me! he says. I’m so wonderful. Everything about me is awesome.

You’d think he’d be satisfied. But no. Not at all.

None of the amazing things in his life mattered to him as long as Mordecai lives. So what to do, he asks his wife and friends.

Build a seventy-five foot tower for the king to hang Mordecai, and then he could go off and enjoy dinner with the king and queen.

We look at Haman and condemn his actions—and rightfully so. But I have to wonder. How often do we overlook how immensely blessed we are and focus on the one thing that isn’t going our way. I mean, we certainly don’t desire someone’s death, but don’t we sometimes obsess about what isn’t working rather than what is?

I’m incredibly blessed. I know this, and I’m grateful. So very grateful. Yet, there are times when I overlook my blessings to mull on my ill health. Or my not finding work.

Then I have to ask myself, How like Haman am I? More than I should be. More than I’d like to be.

But unlike Haman, I can ask for forgiveness—and focus on those blessings.