Esther 5

So Haman went out that day joyful and with a glad heart; but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, and that he did not stand or tremble before him, he was filled with indignation against Mordecai. Nevertheless Haman restrained himself and went home, and he sent and called for his friends and his wife Zeresh. Then Haman told them of his great riches, the multitude of his children, everything in which the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the officials and servants of the king. Moreover Haman said, "Besides, Queen Esther invited no one but me to come in with the king to the banquet that she prepared; and tomorrow I am again invited by her, along with the king. Yet all this avails me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate."

(Est 5:9-13)

You remember earlier this week when we talked about Haman being filled with “wrath” that could literally be translated as poison? Look at the way it is affecting him here. The sight of Mordecai fills him with indignation, and all he can think about is destroying him. The affect of the poison is instant… he goes from joy and gladness to total wrath and bitterness the MOMENT his eyes settle on Mordecai. Because of this, following the advice of his wife and friends, he builds a gallows to hang Mordecai on.

Remember the setting for all of these events… Haman’s anger and the building of the gallows are taking place between two banquets that Esther has thrown for herself and Haman. He just left one, excited about another one to take place the next day… little did he know that the reason he was invited to the banquet was so his evil plan could be exposed.

Sin often blinds us to what is really going on. Look at Haman. Because He is so full of evil, he can’t enjoy life, and he is totally blind to the fact that he is about to be uncovered. If we let sin reign and rule in our lives, it will poison us. It will make us blind to what is going on… it will fill us with pride and cause us to think and act in a very irrational way. Sin is nothing to play with.

When we look at Haman, we see a man whose life is being systematically destroyed by pride. Step by step, he is falling apart, inching his way closer to destruction, all because he is obsessed with himself. Don’t think you are above Haman though, I believe we all have the potential to be Haman’s… the only way to prevent it is to stay close to the Lord. If we are constantly reminded of who He is, we won’t forget how imperfect and broken we are.