Day 353: Providence. Plans. Pride.

On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king's palace, in front of the king's quarters, while the king was sitting on his royal throne inside the throne room opposite the entrance to the palace. 2 And when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she won favor in his sight, and he held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter. 3 And the king said to her, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given you, even to the half of my kingdom.” 4 And Esther said, “If it please the king, let the king and Haman come today to a feast that I have prepared for the king.” 5 Then the king said, “Bring Haman quickly, so that we may do as Esther has asked.” So the king and Haman came to the feast that Esther had prepared. 6 And as they were drinking wine after the feast, the king said to Esther, “What is your wish? It shall be granted you. And what is your request? Even to the half of my kingdom, it shall be fulfilled.” 7 Then Esther answered, “My wish and my request is: 8 If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it please the king[c] to grant my wish and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come to the feast that I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do as the king has said.”
Haman Plans to Hang Mordecai
9 And Haman went out that day joyful and glad of heart. But when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he neither rose nor trembled before him, he was filled with wrath against Mordecai. 10 Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home, and he sent and brought his friends and his wife Zeresh. 11 And Haman recounted to them the splendor of his riches, the number of his sons, all the promotions with which the king had honored him, and how he had advanced him above the officials and the servants of the king. 12 Then Haman said, “Even Queen Esther let no one but me come with the king to the feast she prepared. And tomorrow also I am invited by her together with the king. 13 Yet all this is worth nothing to me, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.” 14 Then his wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Let a gallows fifty cubits high be made, and in the morning tell the king to have Mordecai hanged upon it. Then go joyfully with the king to the feast.” This idea pleased Haman, and he had the gallows made.

Meditation
Pride sets people against God’s purposes. Pride destroys the prideful through seeking to eliminate competition. Humble hearts align personal plans with God’s purposes.
 
The king made plans to eliminate the Jews in Persia (3:9-11). Israel was the seedbed of salvation for the world. God will not allow His people to be exterminated.
 
Esther was a Jew in the king’s court. Esther humbled herself before the Lord, fasting for mercy and walking in faith (4:14-17). Esther’s plan to win the king’s favor through hosting a feast worked (2)! The door of the king’s heart opened to Esther’s will, “What is it you want, even if it is half the kingdom?” (3, 6). Esther wanted Haman exposed and the Jews saved. In wisdom Esther waited.
 
Haman’s pride is evident (5), “joyful and glad of heart” until he saw Mordecai (9).  Mordecai would not bow to Haman. The fury of Haman is palpable. The pride of Haman is fueled by riches, promotions, sons, honor, power, and an invitation to the queen’s banquet… but all things were NOTHING if Mordecai remained alive (11-13). Haman ordered gallows to be made to hang Mordecai (14-15).
 
Pride comes before destruction. Haman’s haughty heart would not sustain. The plans of God’s people will prosper when they are aligned with His purposes. Esther humbles herself before the Lord, trusting Him with all her heart. God makes her path straight.
 
The destructive ploys of the prideful will eventually lead to self-ruin.  As God’s people we must humble ourselves before the Lord, seek His purposes, and plan accordingly.
 
Richly Dwelling
-Are you discouraged by the prideful plans of those in power, or more personally, the prideful plans in your own heart?
 
-What does it look like for you to humble yourself before the Lord to discern His purposes to plan accordingly?
 
-Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to trust in the Lord with all our heart, leaning not on our own understanding. How can you feed your faith by walking in the promises and purposes of God? Be specific.
 
Key Verse
2 And when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she won favor in his sight, and he held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.