Ahasuerus was king over Persia which included 127 provinces spanning from India to Ethopia—headquartered in modern day Iran. The king chose Esther over all the women in the provinces to become queen and replace Vashti.

After an attempt on the king’s life, the king promoted Haman the Agagite to a position equal to what we refer to as Secretary of State. Haman soon found no satisfaction or joy in this powerful position because one man refused to bow down to him or show him reverence.

Haman’s hatred for Mordecai was blinding so he sought to exterminate all Jews. He exercised his political muscle to get the king to issue a decree to wipe out all the people of Mordecai’s race—the Jews. Neither Naman or the king knew that Esther was a Jewess and subject to the extermination decree.

Esther risked her life to approach the king without an invitation required by law. Amazingly, the king offered for her to become his equal but Esther’s sole focus was the salvation of her people. At the same time, Haman’s wife devised a devious plan to kill Haman’s nemesis. As Esther prepared for the banquet, Haman built the 75’ high gallows to hang Mordecai.

That night the king could not sleep so he had the chronicles read to him where the record had been made that Mordecai saved the king’s life. The good deed had gone unrecognized, so the king asked Haman how the king could reward the man whom the king wanted to honor. Haman thought he was to be honored. Haman had to lead the Mordecai through the streets while he wore the king’s royal apparel, the crown royal, and riding upon the king’s horse.

At the second banquet Esther points to Haman as the enemy seeking to kill her and all her people. Haman ends up being hung upon the same gallows that he prepared to execute Mordecai. God’s timing is always right. (James 4:6-8)

Pride pits you against God; it pits you against your neighbors and friedns and all that is good.
God opposes the proud. If your motives are motivated by self-interest, God resists you. He opposes, withstands, and stands against you.

Never underestimate the importance of the fact that Lucifier’s fall was pride.
The novice falls because of pride.
Pride makes one feel superior when God wants us to be servants.
Our entire culture revolves around exalting one’s pride; appealing to pride. All advertising whether television, radio, internet or even billboards appeal to pride. You need this; you deserve this; you must have more than the Jones.
Naman was eaten up with self-promotion. (Psalm 75:6-7, 113:7, Proverbs 3:35, 1 Samuel 2:7-8)
• Haman’s problem was not Mordecai; he was simply the catalyst used to reveal Haman’s inner heart problem. His pride caused him to try to exterminate a whole race of people.
• During the parade, he was bothered that he was not the one on that horse.
• His prideful wife advised him to build the gallows 75 feet tall— Look at what Haman did; look where the hanging was to take place, in Haman’s own yard.
• Two opposing forces with only one of them potentially winning out—Haman’s pride and God’s opposition and resistance to that pride.
• THE LOST: People end up in Hell because they oppose God. The proud in heart do not come to Jesus.
• When you tell someone he needs Jesus, they think you are telling them that they are wrong. People don’t want to be told that they need someone or that they have been wrong all their life—especially concerning their religion.
• Put yourself in their shoes, their religion has been used to to deceive them and to control them.
• Pride can destroy a nation; a city; a church; a family; an individual.
HUMILITY
Esther came humbly; Mordecai came humbly.
• How does a sinner come to Jesus?
I am wrong and I can’t right my wrongs
I am a sinner
I am blind
I am lost
Life is hopeless and only Jesus offers hope. (1 Peter 5:5-9)
The proud man ended up hanging on the gallows
The humble man ended up wearing the king’s ring
If the head of every home was a humble man, God would shed His grace upon that home.
If the head of every church was a humble man, God would shed His grace upon that church.
If the head of every land was a humble man, God would shed His grace upon that land.
Our moto must be like John (John 3:30)
Unfortunately, there is so much man worship in every aspect of society; even in our churches.
When people attack you, it hurts most when you are proud. You get angriest when you are proud. Pride is the enemy—it is the enemy of your soul and it is the enemy of your wellbeing.
Consider Jesus. (Philippians 2:1 -11)
In our society, the proud are lifted up
The humble are abased by man
Yet, the way up is down
The way down is up
God will oppose you so long as you are proud
Esther 8:8-17 the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad (Proverbs 29:2, Matthew 19:23-27)