Obedience Brings Blessings 06.15.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Sunday June 15, 2008 and today we are continuing our studies on the book of Esther. Please read Chapters 4-7 in your Bible or Click Here to read. Cut & paste to your browser: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Esther%204-7&version=9

Today we will read and learn about the Jews fasting, Esther's banquet for Haman and the king, Haman's plot to kill Mordecai, and his (Haman's) execution.

Haman, the most powerful assistant to the king, had issued a decree to execute all Jews (3:9-13). When this was made known, Queen Esther requested prayer and fasting, for Mordecai and all the Jews in order to ask the king to spare her people. "Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish." (Esther 4:16).

The king who controlled the Persian Empire, the most powerful kingdom on earth, had made a decree that no one could come into his presence without his permission or they would be executed. To make Esther's situation even more serious, she had not been called to see the king for thirty days. Although she was queen, the king may have lost interest in her. If so, she could not hope to influence him. Success appeared unlikely, but after three days of fasting, queen Esther stood in the inner court of the king's house and waited to see if she would face life or death. Fortunately the king welcomed her and offered to grant her request. "Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house. And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre. Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom." (5:1-3).

Not only did the king accept her, but he also offered her half of the kingdom. Esther could have clutched her prize, considering it far too precious to lose by making her request, but saving her people meant more to her than riches and being queen. He was shocked to hear her pleading for her own life over Haman's decree to kill all the Jews in the land. "Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request: For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king's damage. Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so? And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen." (7:3-6). Angrily, the king said hang him and Haman was hung from the same gallows that he made to kill Mordecai.

Esther is an encouragement to all of us to use whatever talents, position, popularity, or wealth we have been blessed with to tell a lost world that our King gave His life to save them. As Christians we constantly face choices whether to obey God or allow temptation to overcome us. Remember, obedience always brings blessing.

In today's reading Jesus Christ is revealed through Esther, whose death was demanded by others although she was innocent. She went before the king's court willing to die for her people (Esther 3:6-14; 4:16). Jesus also was innocent and His death was demanded by others (Mark 15:13-14). He was taken before rulers and was willing to die for His people and He did die for them and for all mankind (John 10:17-18; I John 2:2).

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
We are so thankful that we don't have to step out on our own and rely on our connections, wisdom, giftings, or experience. Whatever challenge we face can be met by remembering Your promise, "I will be with you." Whatever enemy we face, if we are suited in Your spiritual armor, we can be confident of Your promise to us as you remind us:  "I will be with You."  What a blessing and comfort these words bring to our hearts. Lord, watch over us, guide us, and abide in us. Give us peace and comfort knowing that You are with us and will take care of us. In Jesus' name.....Amen.

Enjoy the rest of your day!
God Bless,
Christina

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