Esther 7:7-10 And the king arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath went into the palace garden… 1. Oh, how great are the vicissitudes of life! When Haman thought himself secure, then he was nearest to his ruin. 2. How sudden and astonishing the change that takes place in the feelings of those about the court. Yesterday, everybody envied Haman for his prosperity, but hated him for his insolence. Yesterday, they bowed the knee, and did him homage, but now that they see he has fallen, they are just as hearty in their rejoicings at his downfall. If Haman be going down, they all cry, "Down with him!" And as Mordecai is now the favourite, all are ready to exalt him. The old Louis, dead in Versailles, may rot or bury himself, while the courtier and countesses are making fair weather with the rising sun. 3. Haman pleading at Esther's feet is a proof that "the heathen are sent down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken." The Jews' enemy, and the adversary of the Hebrew orphan, a suppliant at the queen's feet, illustrates how God regarded the low estate of his handmaiden, and scattered the proud in their imagination. 4. Another lesson learned from Haman's gallows, perhaps, better than from any other standpoint of this history, is to beware of the first risings of evil passions. 5. We see again that human prosperity is wholly unavailing in the hour of calamity. The glory of Haman yesterday only enhances his disgrace to-day. 6. It is then an unfair, limited, and partial view of providence to say that God's favours are not wisely and equitably distributed among men. The purposes of God are not to be judged of by the events of a moment, nor by the occurrences that are near together. The chain of providence has many links; some are so high, and some are so far away, that at present we cannot see them, nor can we judge correctly of it till we see the whole chain together. 7. You must learn to discriminate between real and apparent happiness. (W. A. Scott, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And the king arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath went into the palace garden: and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king. |
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