God vs. Evil

I'm reading Esther these past few days, and today I was at the part where the king asks to be read a bed time story because he couldn't sleep- (yes, the veggie tale version wars in my brain, and surprisingly reconciles with the actual Scripture!) - any how!

Right at the time where King Ahaz. asks if he properly rewarded Mordecai, wouldn't you know Haman just happens to be in the outer court? Just in time to be asked, what should be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honor? (Of course he is waiting to ask permission to kill Mordecai...)

Sure enough, prideful Haman tells the king exactly what he wants, figuring he will be the recipient of the honor- only to be absolutely HUMILIATED to be told- ordered by the king!- to give it all to his hated adversary!

Now the day before, his wife and buddies advised him to make these gallows-fully intending their sole victim to be Mordecai. This day- after the exalting of Mordecai, they all back pedal and say "so sorry, I guess you aren't gonna fare so well!" And at this moment his he is summoned to the banquet where his fate is sealed! Esther reveals to the king Haman's plans, and the king sentences him to the death that he had planned for Mordecai on the island of perpetual tickling gallows!

Did you ever think about the fact that those gallows were 50 cubits high? And all made in ONE DAY? That is about 75 feet tall! Like as high as a 3 story building!! Haman really wanted all to see Mordecai hanged and humiliated, an example for all to see!

First of all, there must have been some kind of crew available to build a structure that quickly. But secondly, it was his wife and all his friends that were the divisors of the plan! "Show me your friends, and I will show you your future"... a true statement to be sure!

I just LOVE the way God tells this story. Mordecai knows of his "fate" if the Lord didn't intervene, and he prays and fasts, and lets the Lord take care of the details. What an example for us to follow.

Don't you love the vengeance of the Lord?