Pride comes before a fall
Opening Prayer
Humble king, search my heart and help me to live free from the dangers of pride.
Read ESTHER 5:9–14
[9] Haman went out that day happy and in high spirits. But when he saw Mordecai at the king’s gate and observed that he neither rose nor showed fear in his presence, he was filled with rage against Mordecai. [10] Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home. Calling together his friends and Zeresh, his wife, [11] Haman boasted to them about his vast wealth, his many sons, and all the ways the king had honored him and how he had elevated him above the other nobles and officials. [12] “And that’s not all,” Haman added. “I’m the only person Queen Esther invited to accompany the king to the banquet she gave. And she has invited me along with the king tomorrow. [13] But all this gives me no satisfaction as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the king’s gate.” [14] His wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Have a pole set up, reaching to a height of fifty cubits, and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai impaled on it. Then go with the king to the banquet and enjoy yourself.” This suggestion delighted Haman, and he had the pole set up. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What is of value to Haman?Do you ever catch yourself boasting? Not that natural, loving pride you take in your family (although, be careful!), but the kind of boasting that deliberately sets out to prove that you are better and more important than others. Haman was on a roll! Honored by the king and queen, he assembles his friends to boast about his success: “his vast wealth, his many sons” (notice what came first!) and all the ways in which he was greater than anyone else (11). His pride twists him up in anger and bitterness as he thinks about “that Jew Mordecai” and his hatred for him (9,13). What a fool (Prov. 12:23)! His groupies are no better, with their cruel and cynical advice to murder Mordecai, then to go and enjoy himself (14). Haman’s delighted response reveals this man’s shallowness and evil—his fate is sealed. But before we rush to judge, let’s ask ourselves if we ever behave in self-interested ways which share some similarities with Haman. Contrast him with the character, courage and stature of Mordecai and Esther, the stars of this story. Who are you most like?
Apply
Take some time for self-reflection. Ask God to expose and root out pride.
Closing prayer
Lord God, make me more like Jesus, who “being in very nature God… made himself nothing” (Phil. 2:6,7).
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