Introduction
In this passage, we can see the envy and conceit of Haman on full display, as well as the shrewdness of Esther on full display. She knows how treacherous the terrain is where she is walking, and she walks over that terrain by faith. Haman has no idea of how treacherous the terrain is where he is walking, and he walks in the light of his own wisdom, which is nothing but darkness. She is sure footed, and he blunders right in.
The Text
“Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king’s house, over against the king’s house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house. And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre . . .” (Esther 5:1-14).
Summary of the Text
After the three-day fast, Esther arrayed herself in her royal apparel, and went and stood in the king’s court, across the way from the king (v. 1). The king saw her there and received her favorably, extending his scepter. Esther came and touched the tip of it (v. 2). The king knew she obviously had a request, and so he naturally asked what it was. She was in his extreme favor—up to half the kingdom, he said (v. 3). In response, Esther invites him and Haman to an already prepared banquet of wine that day (v. 4). So the king sent someone to fetch Haman hastily, and so it was that they both came (v. 5). All of this is Middle East negotiating, and the king knows it. He asks her again. “What do you ask?” Again he promises her up to half his kingdom . . . (v. 6). Esther teases it . . . her request is that they both come to a second banquet the very next day, and then she will tell them the actual request (vv. 7-8). Haman left with a glad heart, quite full of himself—but seeing Mordecai remaining seated on the way out spoiled it all for him (v. 9). But Haman nevertheless restrained himself, went home and summoned his wife Zeresh, and his friends (v. 10). He then took the opportunity to boast in his glory, his wealth, his children, and his promotions past all the princes (v. 11). Not only so, but he was now in Esther’s favor also (v. 12). But all of that was nothing to him whenever he saw Mordecai, sitting there in the king’s gate (v. 13)—sitting there like he owned the place. And so his wife and his friends suggested he make a tall gallows, seventy-five feet tall. Then in the morning he should talk to the king about hanging Mordecai on it, and then he can go to the banquet in peace. Haman thought this was a fine idea, and so he ordered the gallows to be made (v. 14).
Running the Play
Now that there is a plan in place, notice that Mordecai is no longer dressed in sackcloth. He has been fasting, of course, along with all the other Jews in Susa, but he has set aside the raiment of his mourning and fasting. This means he can now sit in the king’s gate. It is the same thing for Esther. She has been fasting as well, but she nevertheless puts on all the regalia of her royalty. She doesn’t look as though she had been fasting. And the Father who sees in secret will reward you openly (Matt. 6:6).
The Shrewdness of Esther
We noted earlier that Esther was engaged in Middle East bartering, as though she were haggling with a merchant for hours over the price of a carpet. But not only was she fitting in with the custom of the people, she was also showing a high degree of deference and humility. The king by this point has told her twice that she could have up to half the kingdom, and she still doesn’t grab at it. He had extended a blank check to her, and had done it twice. She still plays it coy. But this is also very shrewd. It is hard to imagine the two men by this point being anything but intensely curious.
She also could no doubt see that this attention from her was going to Haman’s head. And that is what you desire if you want your adversary to go home and start making mistakes, which is exactly what Haman does.
The Conceit and Envy of Haman
Now Haman outranked Mordecai and was by far his political superior. He was second in the empire, and Mordecai was a lowly member of the “king’s gate.” So an essential lesson for us to learn here is this. When totalitarians make their all-encompassing claims, they have to treat the slightest resistance as an existential threat. And so they do. Notice what Haman brags about—his glory, his wealth, his family and children, and how his promotion had vaulted him past all the princes (v. 11). And yet, what did it take for all this to be ruined for him? Mordecai, just sitting there quietly.
When the balloon is over-inflated, just one small pin prick will do the trick.
The Gallows
The method of execution intended for Mordecai was most likely impalement, and not our method of hanging someone by the neck until dead. The gallows built for this purpose was enormous—about 75 feet high. That would be the equivalent of a 6 to 8 story building. The purpose of such a height was public humiliation—the impalement would be seen all over Susa. This element of disgrace has long been one of the functions of public executions. “And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads” (Matt. 27:39).
But remember the typology—the gallows was built for Mordecai, having his name on it, and yet the man who was consumed with envy for Mordecai was the one who actually wound up hanging there. This transaction was the death of sin, particularly conceit, pride and envy, and the subsequent exaltation of the one who was condemned for being righteous.
So who was crucified on the cross? Of course, it was Christ (Matt. 27:35). Who was crucified on the cross? Of course, it was the bronze serpent (John 3:14). Who was crucified on the cross? You and I both were (Rom. 6:3). Who was crucified on the cross? The Haman inside each one of us.