Seeking to honor Mordecai, King Xerxes consults Haman, who unwittingly advises an elaborate reward for the very man he wishes to destroy. The irony deepens as Haman parades Mordecai through the streets in royal attire.
After stalling, Queen Esther finally reveals her plea at a banquet, exposing Haman's wicked plan to annihilate her people. The furious king orders Haman's execution on the very gallows he prepared for Mordecai.
Mordecai is promoted to Haman's position, with the king giving him his signet ring and authorizing him to counteract Haman's edict to annihilate the Jews. He is granted the ability to write a decree allowing the Jews to defend themselves against their enemies. The decree is sealed with the king's ring and dispatched throughout the empire.
In this episode, the tables dramatically turn against Haman, and Esther's courage and Mordecai's rise to power play vital roles in reversing the perilous fate of the Jewish people. The story continues to emphasize divine providence and the strategic actions of individuals in shaping the course of events.
The New Testament mentions several different Herods from Matthew 1 to Acts 26: Herod the Great was “king of the Jews” at Jesus’ birth...
We wrap up the book of Acts by exploring its purpose, key themes, and selected highlights. We share four interesting stories recorded in the...
Because John’s letter was about the basics of faith in Christ, it helped his readers reflect honestly on their faith. It helped them answer...