Category: daily meditations

THE STORY OF JESUS: Esther 8:1-2 “King Xerxes gave Queen Esther the estate of Haman, the enemy of the Jews.” (Esther 8:1) God created this world as a gift for all to share and enjoy. Sin has turned this world into a greedy, grabbing conflict. There is plenty to go around for everyone, yet so many suffer…

THE STORY OF JESUS: Esther 7:5-10 “So they impaled Haman on the pole he had set up for Mordecai.” (Esther 7:10) This is not a pretty picture, impaled on a pole 75ft tall. It was a visually disturbing and powerful image, for everyone to see. Many people knew that this death was meant for Mordecai. Haman ends…

THE STORY OF JESUS: Esther 7:1-4 “Grant me my life—this is my petition. And spare my people—this is my request.” (Esther 7:3) Esther puts her own life into jeopardy for the sake of her family. Understandably, she cares for her family, for her people. “Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites…

THE STORY OF JESUS: Esther 6:12-14 “Since Mordecai… is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him…” (Esther 6:13) God promised Israel, “No one will be able to stand up against you!” (Deuteronomy 7:24). As His missionary people, sent to bless the nations, they could not be defeated. They could be opposed, they could be attacked, they could…

THE STORY OF JESUS: Esther 6:6-11 “He robed Mordecai, and led him on horseback through the city streets, proclaiming before him, ‘This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!’” (Esther 6:11) God created every one of us as equal before Him, equally honored and valued. It is the spirit of sin to…

THE STORY OF JESUS: Esther 6:4-9 “Who is there that the king would rather honor than me?” (Esther 6:6) Haman is so full of himself, he can’t imagine anyone else being honored. He has reached the top, even the king can’t help but love him. In his mind he imagines riding in the chariot, all eyes adoring…

THE STORY OF JESUS: Esther 6:1-5 “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.” (Esther 6:1) History is filled with many, many tiny details like “the king could not sleep”. Wars have been won and lost because…

THE STORY OF JESUS: Esther 5:10-14 “Have a pole set up… and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai impaled on it.” (Esther 5:14) For the Jews, death by the pole was the ultimate death penalty. “If someone guilty of a capital offense is put to death and their body is exposed on a pole,…

THE STORY OF JESUS: Esther 5:5-10 “Haman went out that day happy and in high spirits. But when he saw Mordecai… he was filled with rage. (Esther 5:9) Haman switches from high spirits to being filled with rage. What do both of these moods have in common? They are both rooted in his selfishness, his being full…

THE STORY OF JESUS: Esther 5:1-5 “He was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand.” (Esther 5:2) There is something disturbing to me about this picture. Esther, unworthy, desperately hoping to please the king, to not be killed. A mere bug, before a mighty giant, who could be…