The Example of Haman's Dangling Corpse (Esther #24)

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Text: Esther 7:7-10

Evil is not sin

King is irate. He hastily leaves to think about what needs to be done and he can’t think with everyone around him.
- He knows there needs to be punishment – evil determined.
- He is white hot that this Haman who was close to him has put the queen, his wife, under a curse.
Evil in this case is the death of Haman. That is a good thing.
God creates evil. Isaiah 45:7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.

Word of a king is his power

Ahasuerus returns inside to see Haman pawing at Esther and Esther trying to get him away from her. Ahasuerus assumes Haman is trying to rape Esther which only adds to Haman’s problems. Remember, Ahasuerus has just found out that Haman wants to kill his wife (whether Haman knew it or not), so the king’s first thought is he’s going to force her first then kill her.
As the word went out of the king’s mouth… (vs 8)
- His judgement, not his individual control.
- He has the last word.

Failure of fortune

Proverbs 11:28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall:
Mark 10:21 – rich young ruler, sell what you have and give it to me? No. Give it away and follow me. The thing coming between you and me is covetousness.
Mark 12:41-44 – What you do with the money God’s given you is more important than how much you have.
Supposing that gain is godliness is a theology that produces covetousness.
- Supposing that gain is godliness is a theology that produces pride.
- Money is not a thermometer. Money is a tool. Money is not a basis of judgment.
Wealth is deceitful because it’s value is diminishing
- The nature of wealth is just like anything else, it will diminish over time.
  - You can look at your checkbook at the end of the month and know that much about it.
  - Proverbs 23:5 – riches CERTAINLY make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.
  - The only certainty about riches is that they will be gone.
  - Matthew 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal.
Wealth is deceitful because it is uncertain
- Seemingly stable institutions collapse
- Wealth can change hands overnight
Wealth is deceitful because it has no power in itself
- Ecclesiastes 6:1 – wealth doesn’t equal health.
- Psalms 73 – Asaph got God’s perspective about earthly riches
- Revelation 3:17 – God agrees that these folks have monetary wealth, but says they are poor – What a man has is in direct proportion to what he thinks of himself. But God’s estimation is different.
- Acts 8:18-25 – money has no power with God
Covetousness promises these things 1 Timothy 6:9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows

Self destruction

Proverbs 26:27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
Ecclesiastes 10:8 He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.
By your own motives, your own influences, your own friends.

Benefits of capital punishment

Righteous delivered and wicked come in his stead
Numbers 35:33 So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it.