Haman Hangs

00:00:00 Speaker 1: Previously on the chosen people did not fret. 00:00:04 Speaker 2: Mordecai the Jew, you will not need to wait long to meet. 00:00:08 Speaker 3: Your freed. 00:00:12 Speaker 2: He must be waiting it sob his deaths, and most importantly wrote a little Jews know my word sealed with the King's ring is law. I will not be what I will not be undermined. 00:00:31 Speaker 4: On the seventh day of the month, two royal guards conspired against the king. The plot was uncovered and reported by Mordecai. 00:00:39 Speaker 3: What honor or reward was given to the man hurry and to just as you proposed for Mordecai, the joe who sits at the city gate, to take my own garment and the horse from my stables for him. 00:00:53 Speaker 1: The words struck like a hammer blow. Hayman's vision blurred, his stomach twisted. 00:01:01 Speaker 3: My kim. 00:01:03 Speaker 1: In that moment, Hayman knew the winds had shifted, and the rope he had ordered was tightening around his own neck. Outside, the gallows loomed in the midday sun, a monument to pride, an omen of doom. The trap was set, but not for the man. It was built for. 00:01:32 Speaker 5: Shello, my friends from here in the holy Land of Israel, I'm ya l Extein with the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews and welcome to the Chosen People. Each day we'll hear a dramatic story inspired by the Bible, stories filled with timeless lessons of faith, love, and the meaning of life. Through Israel's story, we will find this truth that we are all chosen for something great. So take a moment today to follow the podcast. If you're feeling extra grateful for these stories, we would love it if you left us a review. I read every single one of them, and if you're interested in hearing more about the prophetic, life saving work of the Fellowship, you can visit IFCJ dot org. Let's begin. 00:02:22 Speaker 1: Hayman sat in silence long after his wife and his friends had gone. The afternoon was turning to evening, fast, too fast for comfort. Dark leering shadows mocked him as the time for the queen's banquet drew nearer and nearer. His wife's chilling final words to him still echoed in his mind. 00:02:46 Speaker 4: Your downfall has already begun. 00:02:49 Speaker 1: Before he could rise to shake the dread from his bones, there was an ominous knock at the door that reverberated through the stone corridors of the estate. One of his servants answered, and mere moments later, Mamukan, the King's eunuch, appeared sneering in Hayman's entryway. He could scarcely contain his malicious glee at Hayman's damaged social standing due to his very public shaming earlier. The sight of his greedy smile made Haymon's stomach turn. 00:03:23 Speaker 2: Lord Hayman, the Queen's banquet awaits. 00:03:28 Speaker 6: The King has summoned. 00:03:29 Speaker 1: You, the very banquet he once anticipated, he now dreaded. It was an uncomfortable ride with Mamukan in a royal carriage sent from the palace. When they arrived, Mamukan slunk off to the edges of the Grand Hall, as he was not invited to dine with the Queen. At least in that regard, Hayman was still favored. He took solace in that, but there was not much else to be grateful for after the terrible reversal of fate earlier. Ooh, the palace dining hall glistened with gold and candlelight. Rich tapestries draped the walls, and delicate crystal goblets sparkled beneath the soft glow. Esther's breath caught as she took in the scene. Once again, Hettoc's careful touch had transformed the room. Platters of roasted meats glistened with fragrance, steam mingling with the scents of honey, dates, warm bread, and spiced wine. The table was an opulent masterpiece, each detail more lavish than the last. Esther steadied herself, smoothing her gown. Every movement measured. Her heart fluttered, but she fought to keep her face serene. She took her place, standing tall and waited to greet her husband. The doors opened with a flourish King Serxes swept into the room, surrounded by his hand selected b mel woman and an entourage of royal attendants, including the young Jewish cupbearer from the last banquet. Esther's demeanor eased at the sight of him. It comforted her that she was not the only Jew in the palace to night. Perhaps this was a sign that the god of their shared homeland was with them. The King's grin was wide and eager, like a child anticipating ripping into a long awaited gift. His eyes sparkled with curiosity. Esther bowed low when she rose, He gently lifted her chin and kissed her forehead. She met his gaze with a soft, radiant smile, determined to remain in his favor, even as the weight of her request pressed heavily on her heart. Hayman arrived shortly after the king, flanked by one of the king's eunuchs, Mamucan. Esther knew of him, but little else. Yet his sharp glance toward Hayman told her more than words could. There was no warmth between them. Mamucin bowed low before the king, then slipped to the edge of the grand dining hall, blending into the cluster of attendants and noblemen. Hester took note. He was a priet observer, watching the under currents swirl, just the sort of man her cousin had warned her about in King Xerxes's court, always sizing up an opportunity to advance his ambitions. Esther's eyes returned to Hayman. His unbridled lust for power dwarf Mamucan or any one else she had seen in the King's court. Though his condescending charm seemed somewhat dampened from what it was yesterday, She forced herself to stand and offer Haymon the seat of honor across from her beside the king. Her pulse quickened. She met Hayman's eyes with a smile so carefully practiced it felt brittle in her chein Esther sat poised throughout the meal, reclining on the couch as was the day's custom, at the edge of the lavish table beside the king. She spoke little, offering soft smiles and polite nods, while reminding herself that she and her people and her new found loyal friends had fasted and prayed for three days for this moment. With each breath, she willed her courage to rise, and she was surprised to find that her voice remained calm and steady. The rich aroamas of roasted meats and spiced bread had faded, and now the servants crept through the room, refilling goblets with fine wine. Among them, the young Jewish cupbearer approached the king, his movements precise and practiced. Esther did not look directly at him, but his quiet presence steadied her heart. As the moment drew nearer, the king reclined beside her, swirling his cup. His curiosity building with every moment. At last, as soon as decorum allowed, he leaned toward her, his eyes bright with anticipation. 00:08:15 Speaker 3: My Queen, I can no longer wait. What is your repetition? Whatever your desire not to have my kingdom, it shall be given. 00:08:27 Speaker 1: Esther's breath came slow and deliberate. The weight of the moment pressed down on her. The room fell silent. 00:08:35 Speaker 4: If I have found favor with you, your majesty, and if the king is pleased, spare my life. This is my request. 00:08:44 Speaker 1: The King's brow furrowed. Haymon's eyes narrowed over the goblet he had just raised to his lips. 00:08:51 Speaker 3: Your life, what what do you mean? Who would there threaten the queen. 00:08:59 Speaker 1: Esther's heart pounded in her chest. She could sense the protective edge in the King's voice. She just hoped that it would last. As she continued in her request. She had heard from heat Arc how the King's anger had turned on Queen Vashti and how she was banished from Persia because of it. But despite the gnawing apprehension of what she was about to do, Esther met the King's gaze with a strength she didn't know she possessed her voice clear, unwavering. 00:09:30 Speaker 4: Yes, I ask for my life for my people, and I have been sold to destruction and annihilation. If it were mere slavery, I would have remained silent. But this evil cannot be ignored. 00:09:45 Speaker 1: The king sat up straight, his face darkening. She could see his eyes calculating, searching, his anger rising at this ignorance of a policy in his court. 00:09:56 Speaker 6: Ooh, wise this, and where is the what would advise such escape? 00:10:03 Speaker 1: Esther turned her gaze slowly, deliberately. Before she spoke, she looked once more to the young cupbearer. He met her gaze, a flicker of solidarity in his eyes. Whether he realized what he did or not, he gave the smallest nod. Courage surged within her, and then she spoke. 00:10:27 Speaker 4: My people are the Jews of Israel, and we have been marked for extermination by royal edict on the thirteenth day of Adar, in the twelfth month of the year. But the man who authored the edict, in the king's authority, is here. The adversary and enemy of my people is this evil. 00:10:46 Speaker 1: Hayman Gasps rippled through the room. Hayman's face drained of color. The shock that washed over his features was unmistakable. He had not known the very woman whose favor he had basked in was now his opponent. The shy young girl whose beauty had turned the head of the king, was now a monarch in her own right. She was an unexpected force rising against him, threatening to topple his foul rein. Xerxes fury erupted. He robed, knocking over his goblet, wine spinning like blood across the table. He whirled on ham and cowering on the floor like a worm, and looked as though he might strike him for a moment, but then thought better of it. Without a word, he stormed into the garden, his mind racing. Hettac had explained the stakes to esther. She knew that whether or not Xerxes had penned the edict, it still carried his authority, and, as her cousin Mordecai had always taught her, the king's word was law. Outside, Xerxes paced furiously, his pride ward with his conscience. 00:12:03 Speaker 6: Can I can I undo the cly sealed by my own ring? Was I blind or manipulated? With a man I trusted? Most? 00:12:15 Speaker 1: He clenched his fists, rage simmered beneath the surface. 00:12:19 Speaker 6: Her muns and sneered me in one of his political schemes. This is how he rewards my favorite. But was it ignorance or willful deceit? His thoughts turned darker. 00:12:35 Speaker 3: If he did. 00:12:35 Speaker 6: Plot against my queen? 00:12:39 Speaker 2: How long before he sets his sight on his king? 00:12:44 Speaker 1: Xerxes's breath came fast and shallow. The fury in him boiled, seeking a place to land inside the hole around Esther exploded into unabashed chatter in the king's absence of what had just taken place. Soon, the halls of the palace and the streets of Susa would be buzzing with the Queen's request and her accusation. The declaration of her heritage revealed at last. In the chaos, estimaticed the of Monuca lingering in the shadows, eyes sharp, plans falling, Taking it all in. Across from Esther, Hayman turned desperate. He stumbled to her side of the table and fell at her feet. 00:13:32 Speaker 6: Spare me, I beg you. 00:13:35 Speaker 3: I didn't know, ah, I don't know my queen was a jewel. 00:13:40 Speaker 2: I never would have I never would have believe. I swear it that mercy. 00:13:48 Speaker 1: Her fury rose in Esther, foreign but fearsome. 00:13:53 Speaker 4: You would only spare me because I have a title, because I have privilege one of my people. What of the hundreds of thousands of innocence throughout Persia? 00:14:05 Speaker 1: Esther's anger drew out new depths of Hayman's desperation as he sobbed in terror and grasped for her wrists. Esther recoiled, but he clung to her, his fears suffocating. 00:14:18 Speaker 4: Get off me, let go. 00:14:21 Speaker 1: At that very moment the king re entered, he froze at the sight of Hayman sprawled across the Queen's couch, clawing at her hands, trying to control her. He roared over the chaos in the banquet. 00:14:35 Speaker 6: Hall, oh, would he violate my queen? 00:14:39 Speaker 4: Why? 00:14:40 Speaker 6: Among the room. 00:14:43 Speaker 1: Fell into stunned silence. The royal guards surged forward, tearing Hayman off of Esther. Hayman's knees scraped the floor as they dragged him to his feet, where he swayed, dazed and horrified. Xerxes stormed for toward his face. Etched in fury, he seized Hayman's savagely by the front of his robe, pulling him close enough for their breath to mingle, one wheezed with terror, the other burning with rage. Esther wanted desperately to look away from the feral violence, but found in her shock she could not tear her eyes away. Then, with a violent lunge, Xerxes ripped the signet ring from Hayman's trembling right hand. Esther winced as the flesh of his knuckles scraped against the engraved gold. Blood welled, but it went unnoticed by the dumb struck Hayman. The king then hurled the ring across the floor with unbridled fury. The heavy gold struck stone with a sharp echoing clang. Every head turned, the sound ran with an eerie finality, Hayman's fate was sealed. The guard's yank to black cloth over Hayman's head, a mark of shame and final condemnation. As the King turned away in disgust, weighing not if Hayman would die, but how Esther collapsed into her seat and let out a shaky breath as her heart rate began to slow. After the commotion, the king was still shouting and reeling in anger as his attendants and noblemen clamored around him. Their voices, a frenzy of counsel and caution. Esther noticed Momucans slink forward like a snake in the grass, his voice boily and precise. 00:16:39 Speaker 2: King and a gallow stands at Hagman's estate, seventy feet high. It was built just last night. 00:16:48 Speaker 3: It was built, saved you all. 00:16:54 Speaker 1: Esther's eyes widened in horror. If her banquet had been delayed, would hang him, executed her cousin Esther trembled at the thought. But Serxey's face hardened into stone, Hey hamah horn. The guards dragged ham and ham wall. His struggles were useless, his cries drowned beneath the weight of royal decree. From across the hall, the young cupbearer met Esther's gaze again, his face grave. He had seen the fall of the mighty. He would remember this night. Moments later, across town, the gallows outside Hayman's home held its builder. His body hung impaled, seventy five feet above the ground, a gruesome sight, taller than any tree for all of Soussa to behold. The enemy of the Jews was vanquished, but the King's edict still loomed, sharp as any sword. The danger was far from over. 00:18:08 Speaker 5: If your faith has been kindled by this podcast and it has affected your life, we'd love it if you left her review. We read them, and me personally, I cherish them as you venture forth boldly and faithfully. I leave you with the biblical blessing from numbers six IV. Hashem vishmerechra yeah heir hashempanave ele y sa hachempanavelera salon. May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face shine upon you. May he be gracious to you, Made the Lord turn his face towards you and give you peace. Amen. 00:18:51 Speaker 1: You can listen to The Chosen People with the Isle Exstein add free by downloading and subscribing to the pray dot Com app today. This prey dog comproduction is only made possible by our dedicated team of creative talents. Steve Gattina, Max Bard, Zach Schllabager and Ben Gammon are the executive producers of the Chosen People with Yiel Eckstein, edited by Alberto Avilla, narrated by Paul Coltofianu. Characters are voiced by Jonathan Cotton, Aaron Salvado, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan, Stephen Ringwald, Sylvia Zaradoc, Thomas Copeland Junior, Rosanna Pilcher and Mitch Leshinsky, and the opening prayer is voiced by John Moore, music by Andrew Morgan Smith, written by Aaron Salvato, bre Rosalie and Chris Baig. Special thanks to Bishop Paulineer, Robin van Ettin, Kayleb Burrows, Jocelyn Fuller, Rabbi Edward Abramson, and the team at International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. 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