“9 Haman went out that day happy and in high spirits. But when he saw Mordecai at the king’s gate and observed that he neither rose nor showed fear in his presence, he was filled with rage against Mordecai. 10 Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home.Calling together his friends and Zeresh, his wife, 11 Haman boasted to them about his vast wealth, his many sons, and all the ways the king had honoured him and how he had elevated him above the other nobles and officials. 12 ‘And that’s not all,’ Haman added. ‘I’m the only person Queen Esther invited to accompany the king to the banquet she gave. And she has invited me along with the king tomorrow. 13 But all this gives me no satisfaction as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the king’s gate.’14 His wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, ‘Have a pole set up, reaching to a height of fifty cubits, and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai impaled on it. Then go with the king to the banquet and enjoy yourself.’ This suggestion delighted Haman, and he had the pole set up.” NIV

I believe Billy Graham once said this, ‘The smallest parcel I ever saw was a man wrapped up in himself.’

Today’s passage suggests what a little man Haman was – a little man in a big position – and it does so with a touch of humour and irony. Verse 14 reminds me of the story of Jezebel maliciously obtaining Naboth’s vineyard for her sulking husband. Haman might have to await the allotted time to have all the Jews slaughtered, but he could surely arrange for Mordecai’s demise ahead of schedule? They proposed Mordecai should be hung on extra high gallows to make mean-spirited Haman all the more happy!

We have here a wonderful pre-figuring of the cross. The devil had ‘’gallows built’’ for Jesus, but he ended up being destroyed by the very instrument designed to crucify the Lord:

‘’Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death – that is, the devil – and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death’’ (Hebrews 2:14,15).

As David cut off Goliath’s head with Goliath’s sword, so Jesus effectively used Satan’s own weapon on him.

PRAYER: Lord, we again marvel at your ways, and we rejoice in your victory.