The Perils of Pride: A Lesson from Esther 5:14
“Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made.” — Esther 5:14
Esther 5:14 presents a moment of intense intrigue and profound moral lessons wrapped in the saga of Esther, Mordecai, and Haman. The verse reads, "Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made."
This verse belongs to a larger narrative concerning the malignant scheming of Haman, the king's advisor, who harbored animosity against Mordecai for refusing to bow down to him. Haman’s plan was sinister; he wanted to exterminate not only Mordecai but also the entire Jewish population, as he perceived them as a threat to his pride and status. What we see here is not just the plotting of Haman but also the insidious nature of pride and envy, as reflected in the advice of his wife Zeresh and his friends.
Pride, when allowed to swell unchecked, blinds individuals to reality. Haman, in his arrogance, failed to realize that his actions would not only provoke the emperor's wrath but also bring about his own downfall. Herein lies a crucial lesson: when we are filled with pride, we often do not seek wise counsel but rather surround ourselves with those who encourage our worst inclinations. Zeresh and the advisors did not challenge Haman's malicious intent; they endorsed it. Their response was to build up his pride rather than temper it, fostering a toxic environment where evil flourished.
The consequences of such unchecked pride can be dire. Proverbs 16:18 warns us that "Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." Haman's eagerness to annihilate Mordecai stemmed not just from personal offense but also from a desire to assert his superiority. His mind was made up to seek the king's approval to hang Mordecai on the gallows he ordered to be constructed. What he did not foresee were the forthcoming events that would constitute a dramatic and ironic twist in the story of Esther.
Haman’s indulgence in pride would lead him into a web of deception and desperation. Little did he know, by planning Mordecai's downfall, he was setting the stage for his own demise. As we reflect on this narrative, we must ask ourselves: What gallows are we constructing in our own lives through our pride? Are we seeking vengeance on those who offend us, blind to the truth that true strength lies not in dominance, but in humility?
As Christians, we are called to practice humility and love, even toward our enemies. In Romans 12:19, we are reminded, "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." Rather than allowing our perceived wrongs to breed seeds of resentment, we should trust God to handle the injustices we face.
The advice Zeresh and Haman's friends gave not only underscores the dangers of pride but serves as a warning to us. When we only seek counsel from those who reinforce our egos rather than challenge us to seek righteousness, we risk embarking on paths that lead to destruction.
In closing, let us remember that though Haman’s gallows were built, it was not Mordecai who hung from them, but Haman himself. This divine irony serves as a powerful reminder that God is in control. He upholds justice and righteousness while humbling the proud. As we strive to navigate our relationships and ambitions, let us lay aside our pride and seek wisdom that leads to life—both for ourselves and others.
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Artwork for Esther 5:14
Esther 5:14 - "¶ Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made."
"¶ Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made." - Esther 5:14
Esther 5:5 - "Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste, that he may do as Esther hath said. So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared."
Esther 5:7 - "Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request is;"
Esther 5:2
Esther 5:2 - "And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre."
Esther 6:14 - "And while they were yet talking with him, came the king's chamberlains, and hasted to bring Haman unto the banquet that Esther had prepared."
Esther 5:2
Esther 5:2
Esther 5:4 - "And Esther answered, If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him."
"Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request is;" - Esther 5:7
Esther 5:3 - "Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom."
Esther 7:5 - "¶ Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so?"
Esther 5:2 - "And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre."
"Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste, that he may do as Esther hath said. So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared." - Esther 5:5
Esther 4:5 - "Then called Esther for Hatach, one of the king's chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and gave him a commandment to Mordecai, to know what it was, and why it was."
Esther 5:6 - "¶ And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed."
Esther 5:12 - "Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and to morrow am I invited unto her also with the king."
Esther 9:14 - "And the king commanded it so to be done: and the decree was given at Shushan; and they hanged Haman's ten sons."
Esther 3:5 - "And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath."
Esther 5:1 - "Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house."
Esther 3:14 - "The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, that they should be ready against that day."
"And while they were yet talking with him, came the king's chamberlains, and hasted to bring Haman unto the banquet that Esther had prepared." - Esther 6:14
"And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre." - Esther 5:2
Esther 6:5 - "And the king's servants said unto him, Behold, Haman standeth in the court. And the king said, Let him come in."
Esther 5:13 - "Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate."
Esther 8:14 - "So the posts that rode upon mules and camels went out, being hastened and pressed on by the king's commandment. And the decree was given at Shushan the palace."
Esther 2:5 - "¶ Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite;"
Esther 5:10 - "Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife."
"¶ Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so?" - Esther 7:5