I think my favorite verses in Esther are in chapter six. In the English Standard Version (ESV), verse one reads, “On that night, the king could not sleep…” “That night” refers to the night when Haman decided Mordecai needed to be put to death for not bowing to Haman. Then, in verses 2 & 3, the king is reminded of Mordecai’s part in revealing the plot against the king; when he discovers Mordecai has not been rewarded, the king follows his “normal” course of action and seeks someone to advise him in the proper ‘protocol’ for the situation (see Esther 1:13-15). As the king asks about who might be available to advise him, Haman “just happens” to walk into the court hoping to speak to the king about Mordecai. In the subsequent conversation between the king and Haman, Haman’s pride tricks him into revealing his deepest desire (public recognition and praise) which is then ironically bestowed upon his enemy, Mordecai.
Because the name of God is not mentioned in the book of Esther, it would be really easy to view the account in these verses as merely coincidence, but to do that would be to ignore the sovereignty of God. Is it not extraordinary to think that God would disturb the sleep of a king and make sure a certain good deed was brought to his attention so that at just the right moment, the king could forestall a murder plot by simply asking a question? I also think it’s interesting to point out how God works through Haman’s pride to create the means by which Haman is humbled; instead of receiving the praise he believes he deserves, Haman has to bestow that praise on his enemy. What a picture of pride going before a fall!
