Esther 6:11, commentary and pictures

Esther 6:11 belongs to Haman's plot to destroy the Jews, God's people in Medo-Persia under Ahasuerus, and shows God's overruling power frustrating that purpose by the public honoring of Mordecai. Behind that plot Satan was perverting Medo-Persia, the second head of the satanic system of government, working through Haman to destroy God's people as the woman through whom the Man-child should come. Haman's honoring of Mordecai marks the turning where God frustrated him.

In order, the public honor of Mordecai, the faithful Jew, comes after Haman's plotting and exaltation and before the exposure of Haman's treachery. It comes before Haman's death on the gallows he had erected for Mordecai, the giving of Haman's property to Mordecai, and the counter-decree enabling the Jews to destroy their enemies. The immediate cause was the king's sleepless night, when the chronicles of the kingdom were read before him as an example of the books of remembrance kept by human rulers. That reading brought to light Mordecai's faithful service in saving the king's life at the very time Haman was plotting his ruin.

Haman, supposing himself to be the man whom the king delighted to honour, was himself commanded to carry out the honor he had designed. He was to array Mordecai in royal apparel, set him on the king's horse, lead him through the street of the city, and proclaim before him that this is how the king honors the man he delights in. This turned his proud ambition into a humiliating reversal, for Haman himself arrayed Mordecai and proclaimed his honor. The verse thus shows God working for His people and answering the faith of the believing ones, turning a persecutor's plans against him. It shows how God can make the way prepared for a victim's execution lead instead to honor, advancement, and promotion, as Haman publicly led Mordecai, whom he had sought to destroy, in the king's honor procession.

That exaltation was part of God's providence for the rescue of the Jews from threatened slaughter. Mordecai's sudden public honor through the king's providential recognition of his faithful service helped prepare the way for Esther to plead for her life and her people. It proves that God never forgets His people but His love, His care, and His providence are ever the same. Haman's being forced to honor Mordecai displays God's retributive justice, proving that though judgment grinds slowly it grinds exceeding small and will come in every case if not in this world then in the world to come. It warns every Christian that in every place he has a mission for God. The earthly royal display points to the greater reward the King of glory will give His faithful subjects.