Digging a Hole for Yourself

Esther 7:1-10 – Haman’s rage consumed him, and his plot backfired in dramatic fashion. Unchecked anger not only harms others, but it also destroys us.

Setup

• God providentially placed Esther in the palace while Mordecai’s loyalty went unnoticed (Esth. 1:1–3:6).
• Haman plotted Mordecai’s death, but the king chose instead to honor him (Esth. 3:7–6:14).

Situation

• Request — At the second banquet, Esther exposed Haman’s plot and pleaded for her life and that of her people (7:1–6).
• Rage — Overwhelmed by Esther’s accusation, the king left in fury, and Haman’s panic sealed his fate (7:7–8).
• Retribution — Haman was executed on the very gallows he built for Mordecai, proving those who dig pits for others fall in themselves (7:9–10).

Shadows

• The gallows built for Mordecai became the means of Haman’s demise (Esth. 7:9-10).
• The cross built for Jesus became the means of Satan’s defeat (Col. 2:14-15).

Significance

• Hold out hope — God will make all things right, even if it doesn’t happen on your timetable.
• Confront in person — Be brave enough to say what needs to be said to those who need to hear it.
• Refuse to dig — If you keep digging with anger, don’t be surprised when you’re buried by it.