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ENEMIES HUNG ON THEIR GALLOWS

  • Writer: Olufunmilayo Adekusibe
    Olufunmilayo Adekusibe
  • May 28
  • 4 min read

Today’s reading:

Esther 7: 1-10

“So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai…” (v 10)


Are you familiar with statements such as: “The enemy has been caught in his trap. Meaning that an adversary, after attempting to ensnare or harm someone, has instead become the victim of their scheme. “Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.” (Prov. 26:27); “I will feed those who oppress you with their flesh, and they shall be drunk with their blood as with sweet wine.” (Is. 49:26). It is obvious from the foregoing that the scripture which says that: “God is not mocked; that whatever a man sows, that shall he also reap.” (Gal. 6:7) are confirmed further. Some of God’s known characteristics include: being just, impartial, righteous, not showing favouritism, and so on. He is known to repay (Rom. 12:19), and it is written in 2 Thess. 1:5-6 that since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, this is the righteous judgment of God.


Who are the enemies?

The first and greatest enemy of man is Satan, the devil, joined by his army (cohort). Interestingly enough, scripture is full of the activities of enemies. An enemy is someone who hates, who resists, contradicts, crosses paths, antagonises, and can kill. While some are enemies of others like them, some are enemies of the cross of Jesus. They are against the work of salvation accomplished by Jesus. It is important to know that both physical and spiritual enemies are controlled and work for Satan. No wonder God is involved on the other side, to quench or forestall the action of Satan, who is controlling the “enemies”.


In Today’s reading, while Queen Esther was expressing her petition to King Ahasuerus in vs 3-6, she mentioned Haman (the Agagite), who was second in rank to the king, as an enemy of the Jews in captivity in the kingdom. Esther called Haman an adversary and enemy. Before then, even before Esther became queen, Haman had planned to destroy the Jews. In particular, he had made a gallows at his house on which to hang Mordecai, a servant Jew at the king’s gate, who had refused to bow or pay homage to him. God, as the Omnipresent, Omnipotent and Omniscient God, had allowed Esther to be made Queen. She was therefore in a position to rescue the Jews and Mordecai from the evil plot of Haman, their enemy. Esther was given favour before the king, and was therefore able to intimate him of Haman’s plot against the Jews and Mordecai. In verse 7, it is recorded that the king rose in his wrath, and Haman saw Harbonah, one of the eunuchs, who told the king about the high gallows Haman had made for Mordecai. It is no surprise that the king commanded that Haman be hanged on his gallows. Verse 10 states that they hung Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. The scripture that “he be drunk on his blood” was thereby fulfilled.


It is instructive that we understand the conditions on which God, the just and righteous, would allow one’s enemies to be hanged on their gallows. These conditions start with having a genuine relationship with God, through His Son Jesus Christ, who paid the price and sacrifice for the sins of mankind. He gives salvation and, therefore, reconciliation with God. Once one has accepted Christ as Lord and Saviour, they now belong to the family of God, who will defend, protect, fight and win battles against the enemies on their behalf. It is important that after becoming a child of God, one remains in good standing with him. He does not tolerate sins! Mordecai was said in verse 9 to have spoken well on the king’s behalf in the past, to have won that favour (Esther 6).


How much more will God react and prove himself when one wins his favour? Another condition is that one must always put matters in the hands of God, who sees and knows all things. He says in Rom. 12:19b – “vengeance is Mine, I will repay”. He cannot make mistakes. He further says that if your enemy is hungry, feed him, if thirsty, give him a drink, for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.


Once on the side of God, all the enemies of our lives are doomed, hanged on their gallows.

CHRISTIE KUPOLUYI



To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud. “Father, I acknowledge my sin against You. I repent and ask for forgiveness, in the name of Jesus. I surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart and lead me in Your path of righteousness. Thank you, Lord.”

If you said the prayer, Congratulations! You are welcome into the body of Christ. Prayerfully look for a living church and meet the resident reverend, pastor or priest.



Prayer:

  1. Heavenly Father, thank you for being our all in all.

  2. Precious Lord, thank you for winning victories for us over our physical and spiritual enemies.

  3. Lord, teach us to be on your side and on that of the Father, so that our victories over our enemies are sure always.

  4. Father, help the church to overcome the enemies of the kingdom and Satan and his cohorts always.

  5. Father, help our nation win the battles staged against it by the enemies, both far and near, especially those of terrorists.

 
 
 

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