" I've come not to bring Peace but a Sword." (Matthew 10:34)

King Ahasuerus said unto his servant Haman, what do you think should be done for a man whom the king delights to honor? Haman thought to himself, who else would the king delight to honor? Haman bucked his eyes, smacked his lips a couple of times, then rubbed his belly and with big smile he replied.....For the man that the king delights to honor (smack), let the royal apparel that the king has worn be brought for him to wear and a horse that the king rides upon and set a crown upon his head. Let the apparel and horse be brought to him by your most noble Prince (smack). Have this Prince parade him on horseback throughout the streets of the city and proclaim, he is being delighted with honor by the king. This is what should be done for the man that king delights to honor (smiling). Then king Ahasuerus shouted with excitement and said to Haman, well run quickly, hurry, take this apparel and horse to Mordecai the Jew, that sits at the king's gate and make sure you do all that you have spoken. Haman stood there in total shock, bucking and blinking his eyes rapidly, then slowly dragged his feet out the door. He took the apparel to Mordecai and put it upon him and brought him on horseback through the streets of the city Shushan, proclaiming loudly before all that Mordecai is being honored by the king. Afterwards, Haman rolled his eyes at Mordecai, covered his head, mourning and ran home in shame, told his wife and friends on how the King humiliated him. (True story with a twist, smack)

Background of Story (Esther Chapters 3-8)

King Ahasuerus promoted his servant Haman chief over all the princes that were with him and all the king's servants that were in the king's gate. The king ordered that all should bow down and reverence Haman. Haman did not fear or honor God, was an enemy of the Jews, wicked in nature, proud and arrogant. Mordecai who is a Jew and the uncle to the king's wife, Queen Esther, who also sits at the king's gate, would not bow down or reverence Haman. Haman despised and resented him for that, he became furious, enraged and eventually plotted to kill Mordecai along with destroying all the Jews.

Haman then went to the king declaring that there were a certain group of people who lived amongst them in the city of Shushan, who were different from everyone else and neither did they obey his laws. He convinced the king that these people brought no benefit to him and should be destroyed. The king agreed to have them destroyed, unaware of the full scope of his revenge on Mordecai to destroy all the Jews. Haman offered to pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have charge of the business and to bring it all into the king's treasuries. The king then took off his ring and gave it to him and said the silver is given to you and the people also, to do as you please.

Haman immediately had a letter written up in the name of King Ahasuerus and sealed it with the king's ring. Copies of the letter went out throughout all on the city of Shushan notifying the Jews of the date they would be killed and that they should be prepared to die. Mordecai heard of what was done, rent his clothes, put on sackcloth with ashes and went out into the midst of the city and cried with a loud bitter cry. There was great morning among the Jews, fasting, weeping and wailing, many laid in sackcloth and ashes, a sign of humility and seeking God's mercy.

Mordecai sent a message to Queen Esther pleading with her to go before the king and intercede on behalf of the Jews. Esther reminded Mordecai that she could not go before the king without being called because it could mean death for her. Mordecai assured Esther that she would not escape just because she's in the king's house. He also enlightened her that God has allowed her to be in that position for such a time as that.

Queen Esther sent a message to Mordecai saying to gather together all Jews, fast for her for three days and three nights, neither eat or drink and she and her maidens would fast likewise; and then I will go unto the king and If I perish, I perish. On the third day, Esther put on her royal apparel and stood in the inner courts of the king's house. The king sat upon his royal throne and when he saw Esther standing in the court, that she obtained favor in his sight. The king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand, so Esther drew near and touched the top of the scepter.

The king asked her of her request and stated that she could have anything even up to the half of his kingdom. She asked that he and Haman attend the banquet she had prepared for him that day. So, the king and Haman came to the banquet that she had prepared. Once again, King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther, ask what you will, and I will grant it to you even unto the half of my kingdom. Esther requested that he and Haman again to attend a banquet on tomorrow, she will prepare for them.

Haman left the kings palace joyful with a glad heart and when he got home, he sent for his friends and wife and told them of the glory of all his riches, how the king had promoted him and how he had advanced him over everybody in the kings' court and how he alone was invited to eat with the King and Queen. Then he stated how he couldn't stand seeing Mordecai sitting at the king's gate, they suggested to him to make gallows and have him hanged before he attends the banquet on the next day. So, he had the gallows made.

On that night, the king could not sleep, so he called for his servant to bring unto him the records of the chronicles and they were read to him. It was written in there that Mordecai had saved the king's life after overhearing two of the king's chamberlains who guarded the door, plotting to kill the king. Then the king said what honor and dignity has been done to Mordecai for this? The servant answered nothing has been done for him. Then Haman came in from the outer court of the king's house to speak to him about hanging Mordecai on the gallows he had prepared for him. Before he could speak, this is when the king asked him of "what shall be done unto a man that the king delights to honor?" After Haman had done all that he suggested to the king, he went away sorrowful complaining to his wife and friends about what happened. While they were talking, a servant came in to get him so that he could attend the banquet that the Queen had prepared.

A third time, the king said what is your request, Queen Esther? It shall be granted to you, even unto the half of my kingdom. Queen Esther answered and said, If I have found favor in your sight, let my life be given me at my petition and my people for we were sold and we are to be destroyed. Then the king said to Esther, who is he, where is he, that has determined his heart to do this? Esther said, the adversary and enemy is the wicked Haman! Then Haman was afraid before the King and Queen. The king rose up in anger, left the banquet room and went out into the palace garden. Meanwhile, Haman is frantically pleading with Esther for his life. Haman being in much distraught and fear laid himself upon the bed where Esther was. The king came back in from the garden, and he saw Haman lying on the bed and was furious. He and his servant covered Hamans's head and King Ahasuerus said take him out and hang him on the gallows he prepared for Mordecai! Haman was hung and the King was satisfied.

On that day King Ahasuerus gave the house of Haman unto Queen Esther, and she told the king who Mordecai was to her for they had kept it a secret. The king took his ring off his finger that he had taken from Haman and gave it to Mordcai and Esther set Mordecai over all the house of Haman. The king reversed the decree that was intended to destroy the Jews, and they had a feast, light, gladness, joy, honor, a good day. Many of the people of the land became Jews for the fear of the Lord fell upon.

Mordecai went out from the presence of the king dressed in royal apparel, with a great crown of gold and garment of fine linen rejoicing throughout the city of Shushan. (He dashes out into the sunset shouting Long John Silverrrrrr, smack)

                         ********** Some lessons to be learned **********

• People will use their positions to afflict hardship, pain and even death unto others just because they have the power and authority to do so.

• Stand for what you believe in, even if you have to stand alone, just keep on standing. You're not standing alone, God is standing with you and, if you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything.

• People will count you out and all the while be setting you up to be blessed and sometimes unknowingly by their own actions and words. God is always working behind the scenes even when it may appear like nothing is happening.

• When we fully trust God, he will always deliver us out of harm's way even when we may not see the way out. Also, we should never be afraid to do what is right because sometimes we're put in the midst of situations and circumstances where we are needed to take action.

• Be careful how you treat others for you may find yourself on the opposite end pleading for mercy.

• If you dig one ditch, you better dig two because the trap you set just may be for you....And It Will!

"Finally, when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him." (Isaiah 59:19)