His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him (Haman), “Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has started, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him—you will surely come to ruin!” Esther 6:13
(From Constable’s Commentary) Haman’s “friends evidently realized that unseen forces were maintaining the blessing that they had observed following the Jews.”
How surprising! Haman’s advisers realised that despite the Jews’ misfortune of being a captive people, blessing and protection still followed them. So much so, they told Haman he wouldn’t be able to stand against Mordecai. They were right. Haman was impaled on the very structure he intended for Mordecai’s demise. His plans to destroy the Jews were thwarted and we read: “And many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them” (Esther 8:17).
Meanwhile, God’s plans are never thwarted. He always intended that other nations would see the blessing of living under his government and would freely choose to join his people. In becoming Jews, they acknowledged the One true God. Perhaps their motives weren’t entirely pure. Since Haman’s death may have caused many to fear for their lives, Nevertheless, they saw the God of the Jews intervene to protect his people, so there was good reason to join them.
Today, those who know us, look for the difference that God makes in our lives. They aren’t looking for the evidence of us destroying physical enemies, but rather the spiritual enemies of anger, fear and worry. They are looking at our attitude to show peace amidst trials, joy despite disappointments and love regardless of another behaviour.
Esther’s story is a complete reversal. Rather than destroying the Jews, Haman’s actions led to many becoming Jews. What Haman intended for evil, God intended for good.
