That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace, In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him: When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and fourscore days. And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king's palace; (Est. 1:2-5)
As we move into Esther and Mordecai’s record of the deliverance of the Jews during their captivity in Persia, we first see the king and his lavish parties as a setting for how Esther would become queen of Persia. Ahasuerus, the king of Persia promoted his whole kingdom before his nobles and friends, called his wife Vashti to present herself as his queen and property to the same nobles, which she refused. Getting bad advice from one of his nobles, the king removed Vashti as queen, setting up a vacancy which Esther will come to fill.
Even though God is not mentioned by name, nor does this book record much in the way of Jewish religious practices, as we see the action and history unfold through Mordecai’s record, His hand is present in every series of events. God worked things out through a pagan king, a Jewish girl, an Amalekite descendant in Persia, and others to continue to protect and defend His chosen people.
God can and does choose to watch over His people, though individual Christians may suffer persecution, distress, and the trials which come from living in this sinful and broken world. While we are not supposed to be of the world or following the world’s ways, we often experience the natural events of this world and the consequences of our own choices. God has given us the freedom to choose to obey or not but not the freedom from the consequences of our choice. Rain may come upon all, even violently sometimes, but it comes to all. God may send rain or hold it back by His will, but a storm we experience may or may not be a direct action of His Spirit. Only when the story plays out and all is revealed can we know what is in the mind of God, just as we see with Esther and the goings on in the palace and in Persia.
While we are here, God calls His people to holiness and obedience while we minister to those around us who are hurting and in need, as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our GOD has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of GOD so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD might have life in His Name.
GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
Even though God is not mentioned by name, nor does this book record much in the way of Jewish religious practices, as we see the action and history unfold through Mordecai’s record, His hand is present in every series of events. God worked things out through a pagan king, a Jewish girl, an Amalekite descendant in Persia, and others to continue to protect and defend His chosen people.
God can and does choose to watch over His people, though individual Christians may suffer persecution, distress, and the trials which come from living in this sinful and broken world. While we are not supposed to be of the world or following the world’s ways, we often experience the natural events of this world and the consequences of our own choices. God has given us the freedom to choose to obey or not but not the freedom from the consequences of our choice. Rain may come upon all, even violently sometimes, but it comes to all. God may send rain or hold it back by His will, but a storm we experience may or may not be a direct action of His Spirit. Only when the story plays out and all is revealed can we know what is in the mind of God, just as we see with Esther and the goings on in the palace and in Persia.
While we are here, God calls His people to holiness and obedience while we minister to those around us who are hurting and in need, as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our GOD has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of GOD so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD might have life in His Name.
GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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