_Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel _ THERE IS NOTHING STATIONARY “Now it came to pass. ” These words call for special notice in a book which strikingly illustrates the providence of God both in regard to nations and individuals. They remind us that there is... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do to-morrow as the king hath said._ DO NOT HASTEN PROVIDENCE The very persons are here before whom it will be told to-morrow--the king, the queen, Haman! Then why delay? Nine people out of ten would have said, if... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then went Haman forth that day joyful _ THE SUPERFICIAL MAN I. Haman’s gladness. It arose-- 1. From a false estimation of himself. 2. From a false estimate of his position. II. Haman’s use of his eyes. He saw, but not correctly. Pride casts a film over the mental vision. Prejudice lessens the... [ Continue Reading ]
_Nevertheless Haman refrained himself._ SELF-RESTRAINT POSSIBLE Haman refrained himself. It is a circumstance not unworthy of notice, that even those persons who are habitually self-willed, and destitute of the power of self-government, can nevertheless, when occasion requires it, exercise a wonder... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Haman told them of the glory of hie riches, and the multitude of his children._ THE DISCONTENTED MAN AS A RECKONER The discontented man is-- I. A good reckoner, up to a certain point. Look at Haman’s statement: Riches--children--position--honour. These represent the ideal of happiness to a l... [ Continue Reading ]
_Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate._ OUTWARD PROSPERITY AND AN EVIL HEART Haman’s misery sprung from his most prominent vice. The avenger did not so much track his path, like an independent retributive messenger, as that it was secreted i... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends._ BAD ADVICE If a proud man make his complaint to you of his unhappiness, you but make him more unhappy if you advise him to gratify his pride by unreasonable and sinful means. You might as well advise a man dying of a dropsy to pour into his throat l... [ Continue Reading ]