Today’s readings: Esther 6-8, Psalm 109
Esther 6:1-3, 6-10
On that night the king could not sleep. And he gave orders to bring the book of memorable deeds, the chronicles, and they were read before the king. 2 And it was found written how Mordecai had told about Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs, who guarded the threshold, and who had sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. 3 And the king said, “What honor or distinction has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?” The king’s young men who attended him said, “Nothing has been done for him.”
6 So Haman came in, and the king said to him, “What should be done to the man whom the king delights to honor?” And Haman said to himself, “Whom would the king delight to honor more than me?” 7 And Haman said to the king, “For the man whom the king delights to honor, 8 let royal robes be brought, which the king has worn, and the horse that the king has ridden, and on whose head a royal crown is set. 9 And let the robes and the horse be handed over to one of the king’s most noble officials. Let them dress the man whom the king delights to honor, and let them lead him on the horse through the square of the city, proclaiming before him: ‘Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor.’” 10 Then the king said to Haman, “Hurry; take the robes and the horse, as you have said, and do so to Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate. Leave out nothing that you have mentioned.”
I just love this turn of events in the account of Esther, Mordecai, Haman, and the king. The king can’t sleep, so he orders the Book of Memorable Deeds to be brought and read to him. There he learns of Mordecai’s act to reveal the plot against Ahasuerus and discovers that nothing had been done to honor him (Esther 6:1–3). And because the king couldn’t sleep, because that particular book was brought out, and because that particular deed was read, there will now be a grand reversal.
It is not going to land well on Haman. He has come to the palace to ask the king to have Mordecai hanged on the gallows he has prepared for him. Instead, the king asks Haman, “What should be done to the man whom the king delights to honor?” (6:6).
To make matters worse, it is Haman who will unwittingly suggest the manner of Mordecai’s honor, thinking it surely must be for himself. Dress him in the king’s robes. Put him on the king’s horse. Have one of the king’s most noble officials lead him through the city square proclaiming, “Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor!” (6:7–9). Surely it will be for himself, Haman thinks.
Oh, but it won’t — and not by a long shot.
Don’t you love it when the high and mighty get brought low? Don’t you delight in seeing the tables turned on a brash and arrogant poser? Isn’t it great to watch the wicked con artist fall into the trap he has set for others? And this isn’t the full reversal just yet. Haman will eventually end up on the gallows he had built for Mordecai — all 75 feet of it (7:9–10).
Let’s think about honor for a moment — and about the surprising ways God bestows it. Jesus promises that the Twelve will sit on twelve thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel (Matthew 19:28). That’s real honor. The faithful servants who put their talents to work and bring a return to their master hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant” and are entrusted with even more (Matthew 25:21, 23). Jesus defends the woman who anoints him for burial, saying that wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her (Matthew 26:13).
And then there’s the prodigal son. He who wishes his father dead, spends his inheritance on wild living, runs out of money, feeds the pigs, and finally comes to his senses returns to his father asking to be like one of his servants. Instead, he is given the best robe, a ring, and new shoes. And a party in honor of his return (Luke 15:11–24).
That’s grace.
It’s the great multitude who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb who stand before the throne with palm branches in their hands (Revelation 7:9, 14). It’s not the self-righteous who make their phylacteries broad and their tassels long and parade their righteousness before others who will be honored (Matthew 23:5–12).
It’s the repentant, the humble, those who wait, hope, and trust in God who will be lifted up. And think of the greatest reversal of all. Our Lord Jesus was stripped of his garments and humiliated beyond measure. He humbled himself even to death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name (Philippians 2:8–11).
And that changes the way we rejoice in reversals. Our hope is not finally the joy of seeing someone else brought down. We who trust in Jesus wait for his vindication and hope for his salvation. We look for the crown of life he has promised — and for a joy rooted not in another’s doom, but in God’s grace.
Grace! Glorious grace!
Follow the Word is a daily Bible reading and devotional ministry of St. John Lutheran Church, Cypress, Texas.
David Bahn - Reflections 
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