Esther
Relief
In this passage, we wrap up the book of Esther with two reminders about the work of God in our lives. First, He is working even when we cannot see Him. Second, He uses all of us to accomplish His purposes through our unique gifting. Wherever we are, God has commissioned us to be Christ there. Esther 9:1-10:3 9 On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, the edict commanded by the king was to be carried out.…
The God of Reversals
In this passage, two reversals take center stage. First, Mordecai experiences a reversal of fortunes as he goes from outcast to joining the king’s leadership. Second, Esther leads the charge in the reversal of Haman’s decree against the Jews. These two reversals remind us that God has a habit of redeeming broken things, and in fact, that is the very work He is doing presently. While we may not personally experience the redemption of what is broken, we know that…
Evil Will Not Prevail
In this passage, we learn about how God deals with evil and how we can respond faithfully to it. Esther 7:1-10 7 So the king and Haman went to Queen Esther’s banquet, 2 and as they were drinking wine on the second day, the king again asked, “Queen Esther, what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.” 3 Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have…
Deliverance Comes From God
Esther 6:1-14 1 That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him. 2 It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, who had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes.3 “What honor and recognition has Mordecai received for this?” the king asked.“Nothing has been done for him,” his attendants answered.4…
The Way of Wisdom & The Way of Foolishness
Esther 5:1-14 5:1 On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance. 2 When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter. 3 Then the king asked, “What…
The Moment of Decision
Esther 4:1-17 1 When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly. 2 But he went only as far as the king’s gate, because no one clothed in sackcloth was allowed to enter it. 3 In every province to which the edict and order of the king came, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping and wailing. Many…
Power, Persecution, and Providence
Esther 3:1-15 3:1 After these events, King Xerxes honored Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, elevating him and giving him a seat of honor higher than that of all the other nobles. 2 All the royal officials at the king’s gate knelt down and paid honor to Haman, for the king had commanded this concerning him. But Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor. 3 Then the royal officials at the king’s gate asked Mordecai, “Why do you disobey the king’s command?” 4 Day after…
Esther and Mordecai
Esther 2:1-23 2:1 Later when King Xerxes’ fury had subsided, he remembered Vashti and what she had done and what he had decreed about her. 2 Then the king’s personal attendants proposed, “Let a search be made for beautiful young virgins for the king. 3 Let the king appoint commissioners in every province of his realm to bring all these beautiful young women into the harem at the citadel of Susa. Let them be placed under the care of Hegai,…
Who’s In Control Here?
Esther 1:1-22 1 This is what happened during the time of Xerxes, the Xerxes who ruled over 127 provinces stretching from India to Cush: 2 At that time King Xerxes reigned from his royal throne in the citadel of Susa, 3 and in the third year of his reign he gave a banquet for all his nobles and officials. The military leaders of Persia and Media, the princes, and the nobles of the provinces were present. 4 For a full 180 days he displayed the vast wealth of his…