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…
Good to know!!!
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…
Descending into greatness!
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…
Honor and honesty!
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 record of His reign!
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…
See you at the pole!
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,…
What’s behind my mood swings?
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…
Throne of grace!
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…
Whether we live or die!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Esther 4:12-17 “I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” (Esther 4:16) For Esther her commitment to serve exceeds her commitment to live. She compares living but saying nothing, with speaking out and possibly dying. This is about doing what is right,…
God’s timing for you!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Esther 4:6-17 “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”” (Esther 4:14) Timing is everything. Why am I here at this time, with these gifts and resources, with this education? Why have these things happened, why am I living in this time in…