Now in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; and his spirit was troubled, and his sleep left him. - Daniel 2:1
Each year the Jewish people remember and commemorate the courageous actions of Queen Esther during a holiday called Purim. This year, in 2026, Purim will be observed beginning at sunset on Monday, March 2 and ending at sunset on Tuesday, March 3… tomorrow and the day after tomorrow. The story of Esther is more than a fascinating tale, but rather is an historic event that continues to shape and distinguish the Jewish culture.
This morning we will begin the second half of our series through the book of Esther. At this point, Haman has tricked King Ahasuerus into passing a law calling for the extermination of the Jewish people. Mordecai has urged Esther to make an appeal to the king pleading that the Jews be spared, but Esther hasn’t yet done so. Now Haman wants to go ahead and kill Mordecai early, not content to wait until the law kicks in. Things are looking pretty bleak, but in today’s message the tide will begin to shift…
I. THE KING’S INSOMNIA (v1-3)
That night, following Esther’’s feast, King Ahasuerus could not sleep. He ordered a servant to read to him from the book of the king’s chronicles, hoping that this would make him drowsy. As it happened, the servant read about the incident during which Mordecai reported to the king that 2 of his doorkeepers were planning to harm him. King Ahasuerus asked if any honor or dignity had ever been bestowed upon Mordecai for this and they answered that none had.
The king’s insomnia that night wasn’t accidental. Neither was the servant’s reading about how Mordecai had saved the king from harm. God providentially caused these things to happen, so as to steer King Ahasuerus’ favor toward Mordecai. Once again, we see God sovereignly orchestrating events so as to bring about His desired outcomes.
II. THE KING’S DESIRE (v4-6a)
The next morning, Haman made his way to the king’s palace in order to request that Mordecai be executed. The king asked his servants to bring Haman in from the outer courtyard. Before Haman could speak, King Ahasuerus asked, “What is to be done for the man whom the king desires to honor?”
The king wanted to bestow honor upon Mordecai for what he had done. In the same way, God sees a believer’s good works and promises to reward them accordingly (Ephesians 6:8). God does not forget or overlook the good things that we do or the love that we show Him (Hebrews 6:10). We shouldn’t do good works simply to receive recognition, but we can be confident that God sees and will reward our good works.
III. HAMAN’S PRESUMPUOUS PRIDE (v6b-9)
Filled with pride, Haman presumed that he was the man who the king wished to honor. Believing this, Haman suggested that the man receiving the honor be clothed with a robe that the king himself had worn, have a turban the king had worn placed on his head, and be seated on a horse upon which the king had ridden. Then he would be led on horseback by a royal official throughout the city square who would proclaim before him, “So it shall be done for the man whom the king desires to honor.”
Haman thought very highly of himself. He was filled with arrogance and pride. He wanted to wear the king’s robe and turban. He wanted to ride the king’s horse. Why? He believed that he should be the king! This is the same sin that Satan had exhibited. Satan exalted himself, desiring to be like God, and was cast down for it (Isaiah 14:12-15). Pride goes before a fall (Proverbs 16:18).
IV. MORDECAI’S RECOGNITION (v10-11)
The king liked Haman’s suggestion and ordered him to immediately do all of these things for Mordecai, who was sitting in the king's gate. Therefore, in obedience to the king, Haman dressed Mordecai in the king’s robe and turban. He seated him on the king’s horse and led him through the city square proclaiming, “So it shall be done for the man whom the king desires to honor.”
Mordecai’s recognition was somewhat similar to Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Mordecai was led throughout the city on horseback, taking on the role of a conquering king. The honor that he received was being compared with and likened to the king. Of course, when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey just days before His crucifixion He was lauded upon and received by the people as the king of the Jews. There is no greater honor for a believer than bearing the image of our King, Jesus Christ.
V. HAMAN’S HUMILIATION (v12-14)
After Mordecai had been honored for saving the king’s life, he returned to the king’s gate while Haman rushed home in mourning and shame. Haman told his wife and friends all that had happened. They responded that if Mordecai was of Jewish origin, Haman would not prevail against him. While they were still talking, the king’s eunuchs arrived and took Haman to the 2nd banquet which Esther had prepared.
Can you imagine the humiliation that Haman must have felt? Not only was Mordecai (the man he intensely hated) honored, but he himself was the person who gave him the honor. The Bible teaches that God will not only exalt the righteous, but will also put his enemies to shame (Psalm 6:10). This shaming of the wicked is a component of their condemnation.
CONCLUSION
In today’s message we have made several connections and applications. Let's review them quickly before we close. First, as we’ve discussed throughout this series, God is sovereign over the events of our lives and works them together in accordance with His will. Things don’t just happen by chance. Second, God sees a believer’s good works and He will reward them in due time. Don’t think that God has forgotten you. Third, the sin of pride will ultimately lead to a person’s downfall. Fourth, there is no greater honor or recognition than being likened to Jesus. We aren’t Jesus, and never will be, but we can and should aspire to be Christlike. Fifth, the enemies of the righteous will be put to shame.
Let me close by asking a final question. Are you someone whom the king would desire to honor? In other words, are you living a life that is pleasing and acceptable to God? Are you faithful to Him in all things, obedient to Him in every way, and wholeheartedly devoted to Him every moment? When you stand before Jesus, will you hear Him say “Well done, my good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21)?
Next Sunday we will read about Queen Esther’s second feast. Will she finally make her request to the king? If so, how will the king respond? Will the Jews be saved? Will the king side with Haman or Esther? Oh… what suspense! I can’t wait to see what will happen next.
Each year the Jewish people remember and commemorate the courageous actions of Queen Esther during a holiday called Purim. This year, in 2026, Purim will be observed beginning at sunset on Monday, March 2 and ending at sunset on Tuesday, March 3… tomorrow and the day after tomorrow. The story of Esther is more than a fascinating tale, but rather is an historic event that continues to shape and distinguish the Jewish culture.
This morning we will begin the second half of our series through the book of Esther. At this point, Haman has tricked King Ahasuerus into passing a law calling for the extermination of the Jewish people. Mordecai has urged Esther to make an appeal to the king pleading that the Jews be spared, but Esther hasn’t yet done so. Now Haman wants to go ahead and kill Mordecai early, not content to wait until the law kicks in. Things are looking pretty bleak, but in today’s message the tide will begin to shift…
I. THE KING’S INSOMNIA (v1-3)
That night, following Esther’’s feast, King Ahasuerus could not sleep. He ordered a servant to read to him from the book of the king’s chronicles, hoping that this would make him drowsy. As it happened, the servant read about the incident during which Mordecai reported to the king that 2 of his doorkeepers were planning to harm him. King Ahasuerus asked if any honor or dignity had ever been bestowed upon Mordecai for this and they answered that none had.
The king’s insomnia that night wasn’t accidental. Neither was the servant’s reading about how Mordecai had saved the king from harm. God providentially caused these things to happen, so as to steer King Ahasuerus’ favor toward Mordecai. Once again, we see God sovereignly orchestrating events so as to bring about His desired outcomes.
II. THE KING’S DESIRE (v4-6a)
The next morning, Haman made his way to the king’s palace in order to request that Mordecai be executed. The king asked his servants to bring Haman in from the outer courtyard. Before Haman could speak, King Ahasuerus asked, “What is to be done for the man whom the king desires to honor?”
The king wanted to bestow honor upon Mordecai for what he had done. In the same way, God sees a believer’s good works and promises to reward them accordingly (Ephesians 6:8). God does not forget or overlook the good things that we do or the love that we show Him (Hebrews 6:10). We shouldn’t do good works simply to receive recognition, but we can be confident that God sees and will reward our good works.
III. HAMAN’S PRESUMPUOUS PRIDE (v6b-9)
Filled with pride, Haman presumed that he was the man who the king wished to honor. Believing this, Haman suggested that the man receiving the honor be clothed with a robe that the king himself had worn, have a turban the king had worn placed on his head, and be seated on a horse upon which the king had ridden. Then he would be led on horseback by a royal official throughout the city square who would proclaim before him, “So it shall be done for the man whom the king desires to honor.”
Haman thought very highly of himself. He was filled with arrogance and pride. He wanted to wear the king’s robe and turban. He wanted to ride the king’s horse. Why? He believed that he should be the king! This is the same sin that Satan had exhibited. Satan exalted himself, desiring to be like God, and was cast down for it (Isaiah 14:12-15). Pride goes before a fall (Proverbs 16:18).
IV. MORDECAI’S RECOGNITION (v10-11)
The king liked Haman’s suggestion and ordered him to immediately do all of these things for Mordecai, who was sitting in the king's gate. Therefore, in obedience to the king, Haman dressed Mordecai in the king’s robe and turban. He seated him on the king’s horse and led him through the city square proclaiming, “So it shall be done for the man whom the king desires to honor.”
Mordecai’s recognition was somewhat similar to Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Mordecai was led throughout the city on horseback, taking on the role of a conquering king. The honor that he received was being compared with and likened to the king. Of course, when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey just days before His crucifixion He was lauded upon and received by the people as the king of the Jews. There is no greater honor for a believer than bearing the image of our King, Jesus Christ.
V. HAMAN’S HUMILIATION (v12-14)
After Mordecai had been honored for saving the king’s life, he returned to the king’s gate while Haman rushed home in mourning and shame. Haman told his wife and friends all that had happened. They responded that if Mordecai was of Jewish origin, Haman would not prevail against him. While they were still talking, the king’s eunuchs arrived and took Haman to the 2nd banquet which Esther had prepared.
Can you imagine the humiliation that Haman must have felt? Not only was Mordecai (the man he intensely hated) honored, but he himself was the person who gave him the honor. The Bible teaches that God will not only exalt the righteous, but will also put his enemies to shame (Psalm 6:10). This shaming of the wicked is a component of their condemnation.
CONCLUSION
In today’s message we have made several connections and applications. Let's review them quickly before we close. First, as we’ve discussed throughout this series, God is sovereign over the events of our lives and works them together in accordance with His will. Things don’t just happen by chance. Second, God sees a believer’s good works and He will reward them in due time. Don’t think that God has forgotten you. Third, the sin of pride will ultimately lead to a person’s downfall. Fourth, there is no greater honor or recognition than being likened to Jesus. We aren’t Jesus, and never will be, but we can and should aspire to be Christlike. Fifth, the enemies of the righteous will be put to shame.
Let me close by asking a final question. Are you someone whom the king would desire to honor? In other words, are you living a life that is pleasing and acceptable to God? Are you faithful to Him in all things, obedient to Him in every way, and wholeheartedly devoted to Him every moment? When you stand before Jesus, will you hear Him say “Well done, my good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21)?
Next Sunday we will read about Queen Esther’s second feast. Will she finally make her request to the king? If so, how will the king respond? Will the Jews be saved? Will the king side with Haman or Esther? Oh… what suspense! I can’t wait to see what will happen next.