Wrath Satisfied (Esther 7:7-10 Devotional)

7 And the king arose in his wrath from the wine-drinking and went into the palace garden, but Haman stayed to beg for his life from Queen Esther, for he saw that harm was determined against him by the king. 8 And the king returned from the palace garden to the place where they were drinking wine, as Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was. And the king said, “Will he even assault the queen in my presence, in my own house?” As the word left the mouth of the king, they covered Haman’s face. 9 Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs in attendance on the king, said, “Moreover, the gallows that Haman has prepared for Mordecai, whose word saved the king, is standing at Haman’s house, fifty cubits high.” And the king said, “Hang him on that.” 10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the wrath of the king abated.

Esther 7:7-10 ESV

“So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the wrath of the king abated.”  

Esther 7:10

The death of the substitute satisfied the wrath of the king.  Haman took the place of Mordecai and hanged on the gallows he prepared.  He was reaping what he sowed, and he deserved that punishment.  In the case of Mordecai and Haman, it was the guilty dying in the place of the innocent.  But in the case of Jesus and us, it was the innocent dying in the place of the guilty; the righteous took the punishment of the unrighteous to satisfy the wrath of God. 

We once had a great enemy like Haman; that was our sins. 
Earlier on in the story of Esther, it appeared as if Haman was strong and untouchable.  Our sins were also far too great to be overthrown or defeated.   We were chained and enslaved by it.  Yet nothing is impossible with God.  Our sins were great, but His grace is greater.  (Romans 5:20)   Haman thought he could destroy Mordecai by building the gallows, but he failed. Satan also thought God could be defeated by nailing Jesus on the cross, but victory and salvation were proclaimed through Jesus and his crucifixion.  He conquered Satan and released us from our enemy, our sins, and gave us a new life that is reconciled with God.  God’s grace and forgiveness overflowed bountifully on the cross. 

We were also once a Haman ourselves. 
We were sinners and enemies of God.  Our life was off to destruction without hope, without God. The cross was meant for criminals, and the cross was what we deserved.   But look who took our place on that rugged cross!  It is the Son of God who is Holy and righteous. It is Jesus who knew no sin but was made to be sin for us so that we could make peace with God through Him. (2 Corinthian 5:21) God’s love for us is shown unreservedly on the cross. 

Dear Lord, Jesus, I thank you for the love, grace, and forgiveness that you’ve shown on the cross.  Thank you for taking my sins and shame.  The cross was reserved for sinners like me, but you bore it for me.  You’ve opened a way for me to return to the Father, and you changed me from an enemy of God to a child of God.  

Thank You, Jesus! ❤️

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