Haman was the only one besides the king attending Esther’s banquet, but he left being invited to another the next day. “Then Haman went out that day joyful and pleased of heart; but when Haman saw Mordecai at the king’s gate and that he did not stand up or tremble before him, Haman was filled with anger against Mordecai.” (9) Though Haman ‘controlled himself,’ he went home to complain to his wife and friends. Before them he began to elaborate on his significance, how special he was. “Haman also said, ‘Even Esther the queen let no one except me come with the king to the banquet which she had prepared; and tomorrow also I am invited by her with the king.’” (12) Haman had a false sense of self-significance! He complained to them that he was unsatisfied as he kept seeing Mordecai the Jew failing to honor him at the king’s gate. So, his wife and friends suggested he have a wooden gallows built and ask the king to hang Mordecai on it so he could then go joyfully to the banquet. Seeking to celebrate himself, Haman had a false perception of his own significance. While he and his friends strategized to increase his significance, Mordecai and Esther appealed to the greatness and significance of God in fasting. To pursue significance leads to self-deception and eventual downfall, but to seek God, leads to truly great and significant impacts. May God give us the wisdom not to seek our own significance, but appeal to the significance of God’s grace, mercy and power for eternal impact.