Esther 5:9, commentary and pictures

The verse belongs to the Medo-Persian period in the reign of Ahasuerus, when Haman plotted to destroy all of God's people, a purpose that God frustrated. At that time Medo-Persia was the second head of the Satan-controlled beast system of government, and Haman's indignation against Mordecai was Satan working through Haman to destroy God's people, the woman through whom the Man-child should come.

Haman went forth that day joyful and elated by the honor of dining alone with the king and queen at the royal banquet. When he saw Mordecai in the king's gate, Mordecai stood not up nor moved to honor or defer to him, and Haman was full of indignation at the refusal. He restrained his indignation at that moment because of what he had planned for Mordecai and his people.

His jealousy over this one slight outweighed his great wealth, royal favor, and public honors, and that jealousy was the force that ruined him. Mordecai's refusal to rise or move for Haman is an example of refusing to obey or defer to human authority when doing so conflicts with obedience to God. Haman's conduct exposes worldly politeness as self-serving, for before the king and queen he bowed and scraped while expecting a favor in return, but at the gate the polish slipped into indignation and murderous scheming toward the humble Mordecai. This proves the difference from true Christian courtesy, which like charity is not puffed up and seeks not her own and is kind to friend and enemy alike, while worldly politeness is kind only to friends or to one from whom a favor is expected.