Today’s Devotion
Topic: The Man The King Wants To Honor (Self Assessment 100)
Part 2
Background: It’s wonderful how the Lord always turns the plans of our enemies into wonderful blessings for those who love Him. Like king David said in Psalm 23: 5a, “He prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies “. Often when our good deeds appear unnoticed both by man and God, we feel neglected and decide never to forget that the world is very unfair to those who are “good”.
However, as wonderful and gracious as our God is, He chooses to reward us at the times we least expect. The interesting part is, He even uses the evil and selfish plots of the enemy, turns them around to be a gargantuan blessing for our good.
Last week we established the depth of Haman’s hatred for the Jew and how his family and friends adviced him to ‘eliminate’ mordecai. Today we will discover how God used Haman’s own scheme to bless Mordecai. Next week we will study the end of Haman and the salvation of the Jews scattered across the Persian empire.
Let’s delve into today’s bible study and discover how God gloriously rewarded Mordecai right in the presence of his enemy.
Text: Esther 6: 1- 3, 6-10
1 That night the king had trouble sleeping, so he ordered an attendant to bring the book of the history of his reign so it could be read to him. 2 In those records he discovered an account of how Mordecai had exposed the plot of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the eunuchs who guarded the door to the king’s private quarters. They had plotted to assassinate King Xerxes. 3 “What reward or recognition did we ever give Mordecai for this?” the king asked. His attendants replied, “Nothing has been done for him.”
6 So Haman came in, and the king said, “What should I do to honor a man who truly pleases me?” Haman thought to himself, “Whom would the king wish to honor more than me?” 7 So he replied, “If the king wishes to honor someone, 8 he should bring out one of the king’s own royal robes, as well as a horse that the king himself has ridden—one with a royal emblem on its head. 9 Let the robes and the horse be handed over to one of the king’s most noble officials. And let him see that the man whom the king wishes to honor is dressed in the king’s robes and led through the city square on the king’s horse. Have the official shout as they go, ‘This is what the king does for someone he wishes to honor!’” 10 “Excellent!” the king said to Haman. “Quick! Take the robes and my horse, and do just as you have said for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the gate of the palace. Leave out nothing you have suggested!” Amen
Questions:
i. Read verses 1, 2 and 3 carefully. Do you think it was an act of God to honor Mordecai that the king had trouble sleeping that night? What comfort can be derived from this, especially in days when we feel our good deeds and hardwork were never rewarded by those for whom it favoured?
ii. From your own assessment of verse 6, why did Haman assume the king will honor no one else but him when it is obvious that, if it was he (Haman) the king wanted to honor, he would ask someone else and not him? What character traits or fruit of the flesh explains Haman’s thoughts? (read Gal 5:19-21).
iii. Read verses 7-9 again:
a. Do you think Haman would have suggested such wonderful and glorious gifts if he knew he wasn’t the one going to be rewarded?
b. From your own opinion, what do you think Haman would have suggested if he knew the person to be rewarded was Mordecai?
c. Do you always wish for others the very best things you want for yourself? If yes why? If no, how is this bible study helping you understand the need for that?
iv. Read verse 10 again. How would you feel if you were in Haman’s position, especially after getting to know the reward was not meant for you after all but the one you hate most? Is it worth it then hating people so much when God loves us all?
v. What do you think made the king affirm to Haman to do exactly as he (Haman) had suggested and also do so immediately?
vi. What have you learnt from today’s devotion?
Kindly reply through this same social media platform (WhatsApp/ Facebook). We always learn so much from the answers you share.
NB: 36 Days to 4JBAND’S Adonai Concert @ ICGC ADONAI TEMPLE, HAATSO ACCRA. 3PM SHARP
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