By Kathryn Wright

Princess Problems

The Book of Esther is a bit of a conundrum for many Bible students. It reads almost like a fairytale. A Jewish Cinderella is crowned queen and saves the Jewish people from the evil villain Haman. Add a goofy sidekick and an epic music number, and we’d have a Disney film. To complicate matters, the book is also known for its silence about God. Because the narrative neither mentions the Lord nor records anything the Lord says, some Biblical scholars say that Esther shouldn’t be in the Bible.

Furthermore, Esther is never quoted in the NT, making it especially difficult to apply to the Church. The Church is not the Nation of Israel. Our nation is not in exile under Persian rule, and even if it were, the Lord has not promised to save our nation from genocide. In addition, despite the romanticized versions of the book, believers are not fairy princesses, and neither was Esther. This is not a love story. She was forced to marry a pagan king, which sounds more like a Grimm’s fairy tale. Prosperity Gospel proponents might appeal to this book to support their view that faithful believers will receive health and wealth, but that is not the book’s point.

However, all Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for us today (2 Tim 3:16-17), and the OT has been given as an example for us (1 Cor 10:11). Therefore, there are things we can learn from this book and principles we can apply today. In particular, Chapter 6 of Esther provides us with profound principles that apply to every dispensation. This article will explore some of those principles.

Plot Points

While living in Persia, a faithful Jew named Mordecai uncovers a plot to kill the Persian king Ahasuerus. Mordecai exposes the would-be assassins and saves the king’s life. (2:21-23). However, Haman, a powerful and evil government official, has made plans to hang Mordecai (5:9-14). Things look bleak for Mordecai and the Jewish people.

In Chapter 6 the story takes a startling and ironic turn. Ahasuerus, while reading from official records, finds out about Mordecai’s previous help in exposing the would-be assassins and saving his life (vv 1-2). Ahasuerus asks what has been done to honor Mordecai for his help. When he finds out that nothing has been done, he summons Haman, and asks:

“What shall be done for the man whom the king delights to honor?” (emphasis added).

Haman doesn’t know that the king is referring to Mordecai. Haman, assuming that the king is referring to him, says to himself:

“Whom would the king delight to honor more than me?” (emphasis added).

In his arrogance, Haman believes that he is honorable and that the king desires to praise him. Therefore, he tells the king:

“For the man whom the king delights to honor, let a royal robe be brought which the king has worn, and a horse on which the king has ridden, which has a royal crest placed on its head. Then let this robe and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king’s most noble princes, that he may array the man whom the king delights to honor. Then parade him on horseback through the city square, and proclaim before him: ‘Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor!’” (6:7-9; emphasis added).

Haman provides in detail all that he desires the king to do for him. However, in a masterful twist of irony, the praise and honor go to Mordecai. The king commands Haman to do all that he has described to the very man Haman was plotting to kill. In verse 11, Haman does exactly what he described, but to Mordecai, proclaiming to the people:

“Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor!” (emphasis added).

The chapter ends with a foreshadowing of Haman’s death, for he will soon hang from the gallows that he planned to use on Mordecai.

Principles and Promises

Several principles that are also reflected in the NT can be gleaned from this passage. First, all that is done in the dark will be brought to light, both good and bad. While Mordecai’s good deed was initially hidden, it was ultimately revealed, and he was honored. Similarly, Haman’s evil deeds were later exposed, and both men received their just reward. Speaking to the disciples concerning times of persecution, the Lord said:

“Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known” (Matt 10:26).

In a similar vein, in Luke 12, the Lord adds:

“Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops” (Luke 12:3).

While we are not guaranteed vindication during our lifetime, as Mordecai experienced, we do know that when the Lord returns, He will bring all things to light. It should be noted that while Haman is an example of an unbeliever whose evil deeds are exposed, the same is true for unfaithful believers. The Lord will not be mocked. Whatever a man sows, so shall he reap (Gal 6:7-9). This is a universal statement, applicable to both unbelievers and believers. While an unfaithful believer cannot lose eternal life, he can lose the rewards that come from following the Lord (2 Tim 2:12; Luke 19:22-24; Matt 24:48-51).

A second principle found in this passage is that those who seek to exalt themselves will ultimately be humbled, while the humble will be exalted (Luke 6:20-23; Matt 5:1-10; 1 Pet 5:5-6). Haman sought to glorify himself and to defame and destroy Mordecai. His assumption that the king wanted to praise him demonstrates the self-righteous attitude that eventually brought about Hamans’s downfall. This principle is also reflected in the NT.

The Apostle Peter makes similar claims in his first epistle. He speaks of the praise, honor, and glory with which the Lord will reward faithful believers when He returns (1 Pet 1:7). Writing to persecuted believers, Peter acknowledges that faithful believers will face reviling and defamation for their good conduct (1 Pet 3:13-17). Mordecai is an OT example of what faithful believers can encounter in the world.

Unbelievers will mock and ridicule those who do good. Of course, Haman is an example of such a person. He saw Mordecai’s faithfulness as evil and even sought to have the man executed, along with all the Jewish people. He plots against and reviles Mordecai while seeking power and praise for himself. However, 1 Peter promises that the Lord will one day vindicate those who show faithfulness to their true King.

In Luke 14, the Lord urged a believing Pharisee to serve the lowly and to be a servant, saying:

“For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:11).

Once again, we see this truth when we consider the example of an unbeliever like Haman. However, believers should take note as well. Though they will be in the kingdom forever, Christians who seek to exalt themselves in this life will be put to shame at the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Cor 5:10; 1 John 2:28; Mark 8:34-38).

A third principle that can be gleaned from this passage in Esther is found in the repetition of the phrase, “the king delights to honor.” This phrase is used six times, making it worthy of some attention. It speaks of a king’s joy in honoring someone honorable. Even a pagan king like Ahasuerus saw Mordecai’s actions and found them praiseworthy. Because of this, he was delighted to honor Mordecai. It brought the king joy to give credit where credit was due.

This also speaks of a truth we find in the Scriptures regarding the doctrine of rewards, as well as the character of Christ. The Lord also desires to reward His faithful children and will therefore delight in honoring those who have served Him, especially in times of difficulty. Such rewards will not be given to all believers. He knows our works (1 Cor 3:8- 15; Rev 2:2, 9, 13; 3:1,8), and He will one day test those works to determine their worth. Those found faithful will be rewarded for what they have done. While faithful believers are not guaranteed justice in this world, we are promised that at the Lord’s return, those who overcome will be praised and publicly heralded as those whom the King delights to honor.

Just as Mordecai was dressed in royal robes to show his status, the faithful saints in eternity will have attire that reflects their righteous deeds (Rev 3:4-5; 19:8). Just as Mordecai was publicly praised before the people, the overcoming believer will be publicly confessed by the Lord before the Father (Matt 10:32). Just as Mordecai was ushered into the city square with full honors, an abundant entrance into the kingdom will be given to those who diligently follow the Lord in this life (2 Pet 1:10-11). Mordecai serves as a mere foreshadowing of all that the King of Kings will do for those in whom He delights.

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Kathryn Wright and her husband, Dewey, live in Columbia, SC. She is the GES missions coordinator, women’s conference speaker, writer, and Zoom teacher.