Principle: Wise leaders reward virtue in their ranks.

Context: Wicked Haman had planned evil for Mordecai and the Jews. Mordecai and Esther (Jews themselves) risked it all, however, and courageously spoke to King Ahasuerus. Well, Esther did, that is, at the wise bidding of her uncle Mordecai.

Esther spoke and the king listened. Haman, confident that his star was on the rise, just knew he was going to be promoted in front of the formation. He was sure he was to be the center of attention. He was sure that his toady-like, sycophantic behavior had curried sufficient favor with King Ahasuerus, and that he was to be the man of the hour.

But what Haman did not realize was that Mordecai and Esther had fasted and prayed, had remained faithful servants to the king, and Mordecai had even alerted the king to plots upon his (the king’s) life (Est 6:2). The king then gave orders that Mordecai, a captive Jew, should be lauded. Mordecai’s quiet faithfulness was rewarded.

Haman was crestfallen and humiliated. His pride and his duplicity would be his downfall. But there was still more judgment to come. More blessing was to come to Mordecai, Esther, and their people.

And more woe and humiliation were to come to Haman and his ilk.

For now, just be encouraged: Sometimes what seems so (and you’ll pardon the grammar) ain’t necessarily so. Wise leaders know their people, and reward virtue in their ranks.

More to follow.