God's Purpose 06.12.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Thursday June 12 and today we begin our studies on the book of Esther. The book of Ester is the seventeenth book of the Old Testament and contains 10 chapters. The author of the book is unknown and was written to the Jews that were scattered throughout Persia. The purpose of the book is to continue documenting the history of Israel and to also recount the providential care of God for His people. The book is meant to show us that God meets the crises of life with human vessels which He has prepared.

Please read Chapters 1-3 in your Bible or Click Here to read. Today we will read and learn about queen Vashti removed of her reign and Esther taking her place, Mordecai saving the king's life, and Haman's plan to destroy all the Jews. Today's message focuses on the importance of realizing that God has a purpose and a plan for every Christian that will not only bless that person but countless others as well.

Esther was an orphan named Hadassah taken from Jerusalem to Babylon during the destruction of the Southern Kingdom of Judah. Esther found herself in a situation over which she had no control. She and her faithful, older cousin, Mordecai, who had adopted her could only trust God for direction and protection. "Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite; Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away. And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter." (Esther 2:5-7).

She was taken to the king's palace along with other maidens, either to be made queen or to become a part of the king's harem. "So it came to pass, when the king's commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king's house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women." (2:8).

She could have become bitter. But it is a reminder that all of us are where God has placed us for His intended purpose. It's up to us whether we maintain an attitude of self pity if we don't like our circumstances or whether we allow Christ to use us where we are. Shortly after Esther became queen, "So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti." (2:16-17)

To complicate their situation, the man given the power to enforce the king's commands was the evil and self-serving Haman, a descendant of Esau, and Amalekites hated all Jews. After Esther became queen, Haman had become so influential with the king that all the king's servants bowed, and respected him except Mordecai. Mordecai could have bowed to Haman, along with the rest of the servants, but he chose to tell them that he was a Jew. "And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath. And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai." (3:5-6).

This testimony brought about what appeared would be Mordecai's death, but Mordecai was willing to die, if necessary, rather than compromise his loyalty to God. God's foreknowledge has determined our circumstances even before we were born. Esther was brought to the king's house along with other maidens to be either slave or queen. Her consent was not asked. The consent of Mordecai, her adopted father, was not asked. They had no choice. But, Our Creator IS in control regardless of circumstances.

We too may feel like a victim of circumstances beyond our control and wish for another situation where we could do something more for our Lord. There is no need to fear that you are missing God's best; just serve Him where you are, for He has placed you there for such a time as this. It is God's will for you to remain a faithful witness willing to sacrifice all. There is nothing about which to complain and nothing of which to boast in God's arrangement. There is also no one of whom to be jealous, for other people's talents and abilities have nothing to do with you.

In today's reading Jesus Christ is revealed through Mordecai, who adopted Esther (Esther 2:15). We are adopted into the family of God by Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:5), and we are now called children of God.  

Have a great day! God Bless,
Christina

P.S. I apologize for not getting the Bible messages out for a couple of days, we had a youth conference at our church and most of my time was there. All will resume back to normal on Sunday.  

Thanks for your patience, God Bless.   Visit A Spiritual Guide
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