That night the king could not sleep, and he had a servant read him the records of what had happened since he had been king. When the servant read how Mordecai had kept Bigthana and Teresh from killing the king, the king asked, "What has been done to reward Mordecai for this?" "Nothing, Your Majesty!" the king's servants replied. About this time, Haman came in to ask the king to have Mordecai hanged on the tower he had built. The king saw him and asked, "Who is that man waiting in front of the throne room?" The king's servants answered, "Your Majesty, it is Haman." "Have him come in," the king commanded. When Haman entered the room, the king asked him, "What should I do for a man I want to honor?"
(Esther 6:1-6a, CEV)
I love all the twists and turns in Esther’s story.
Months have gone by since Mordecai overheard the plot against the king. Not only had nothing been done to honor Mordecai, but now he mourns over the impending annihilation of his people.
In a sleepless night—the same night that Haman’s ego expands exponentially—the king reads the chronicles of his time as Persia’s ruler. He recalls how Mordecai saved his life. And then discovers that nothing had been done to honor his savior.
What a tremendous oversight. And one the king wants to take care of. Immediately.
I have to give King Xerxes credit. When he recognizes his neglect, he does want to make sure Mordecai is honored. He does want to give credit where credit is due.
But what to do?
And then, in a marvelous bit of irony, enter Haman. Intending to ask about the tower to hang Mordecai.
And the first question he hears?
“What can I do to honor someone?” the king asks.
No comments:
Post a Comment