Esther

Esther 6: A king who could not sleep

Begin in prayer

Before we read about a night when a king cannot sleep, let us thank the LORD that the smallest things are in His hand. Ask Him to teach us humility and to show us Jesus, who humbled Himself.

In peace I will both lay myself down and sleep, for you, Yahweh alone, make me live in safety.

Psalm 4:8

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You rule even a sleepless night, and lead us to Jesus, who humbled Himself for sinners. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

On that night the king cannot sleep, so he has the book of the chronicles read to him. The reader comes to the day Mordecai told of the plot by the two doorkeepers, and the king asks what honor Mordecai received. Nothing has been done for him, and just then Haman comes into the court to ask the king to hang Mordecai on his gallows. The king asks Haman how to honor the man he delights in. Haman, thinking it is himself, names royal clothing, the king's horse and a crown. The king tells Haman to do all this for Mordecai the Jew, and Haman leads Mordecai through the city square. Haman hurries home with his head covered, and his wise men and his wife say he will fall before Mordecai.

As you read Esther 6, look for the answers:

• What does the king have read to him when he cannot sleep? (verse 1)
• What does Haman think the king means, and what does he suggest? (verses 6 to 9)
• Whom does the king tell Haman to honor? (verse 10)

Reflect together

Key truth

God uses a sleepless night to honor Mordecai and bring proud Haman low.

Haman's wife and friends told him to ask the king in the morning to hang Mordecai on the gallows (Esther 5 verse 14). On that night the king cannot sleep, and the chapter does not say why (verse 1). He asks for the book of records to be brought and read to him (verse 1). It says that Mordecai told of two doorkeepers who tried to lay hands on the king (verse 2). That deed was written years before, and no one had rewarded it (verse 3). At that moment Haman is waiting in the court to ask for Mordecai to be hanged (verse 4). The man who came to ask for Mordecai's death must instead honor him in the city square (verses 10 and 11). His wise men and his wife then tell Haman he will surely fall before Mordecai (verse 13). A night without sleep and a page read aloud are in God's hand, though His name is not written.

How does Esther 6 show us that God uses a sleepless night to honor Mordecai and bring proud Haman low?

A sleepless night brings Mordecai's good deed to the king.

The king cannot sleep, and he asks for the book of the chronicles (verse 1). The reader comes to the plot of the two doorkeepers and Mordecai's warning (verse 2). The king learns that Mordecai was never honored, so a deed written years before is brought out in time (verse 3). This is how God's hidden care works, through small things that seem to happen by chance.

Haman asks honor for himself and must give it to Mordecai.

Haman asks what should be done for the man the king delights to honor, and he thinks of himself (verse 6). He asks for the king's own clothing, the king's own horse and a crown (verse 8). The king answers that all this is to be done for Mordecai the Jew (verse 10). Haman himself must lead Mordecai through the city square and proclaim that this is how the king honors a man (verse 11).

Proud Haman begins to fall, and Jesus humbled Himself.

Haman hurries home with his head covered, and his wife and wise men say he will fall (verses 12 and 13). Jesus said that everyone who exalts himself will be humbled (Luke 14 verse 11). Jesus, God's own Son, humbled Himself and became obedient even to death on a cross (Philippians 2 verse 8). God raised Him high (Philippians 2 verse 9).

Memorise

On that night, the king couldn’t sleep. He commanded the book of records of the chronicles to be brought, and they were read to the king.

Esther 6:1

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, where is my pride, and who can forgive it?

Haman said “in his heart”, “Who would the king delight to honor more than myself?” He wanted the king's clothing, the king's horse and the king's crown. Then he had to give them to Mordecai the Jew. Pride set Haman up, and the king's word brought him down.

Our pride is a sin against God, and we cannot make ourselves humble. Jesus is the opposite of Haman. He was the Son of God, and He gave up His honor and went to the cross, where He carried the sin of His people. God raised Him up from the grave. That payment cannot be undone, and nothing can be added to it.

So come to Jesus. Turn from your sin and put your trust in Him. He forgives proud sinners who come, and He lifts up all who humble themselves before Him.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God rules even the small things, and that Jesus humbled Himself for sinners. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart. Verse 4 speaks of hanging Mordecai, so please explain what Haman planned in your own words.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for ruling even a night without sleep, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so each one may say a short prayer if they want to.

Surely he mocks the mockers, but he gives grace to the humble.

Proverbs 3:34

Lord God, thank You that You rule over every small thing in our days. Please help each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, who humbled Himself. Forgive our pride, and teach our family to honor others this week. Amen.