Esther continues to be bold and Mordecai is exalted
Esther sees the deliverance that comes to her people by the Lord blesses her boldness, obedience and faith. We are no different of course when we choose to do the same.
Esther 8: Esther Saves the Jews
1 On that day King Ahasuerus gave to Queen Esther the house of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. And Mordecai came before the king, for Esther had told what he was to her.
2 And the king took off his signet ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.
3 Then Esther spoke again to the king. She fell at his feet and wept and pleaded with him to avert the evil plan of Haman the Agagite and the plot that he had devised against the Jews.
4 When the king held out the golden sceptre to Esther,
5 Esther rose and stood before the king. And she said, "If it please the king, and if I have found favour in his sight, and if the thing seems right before the king, and I am pleasing in his eyes, let an order be written to revoke the letters devised by Haman the Agagite, the son of Hammedatha, which he wrote to destroy the Jews who are in all the provinces of the king.
6 For how can I bear to see the calamity that is coming to my people? Or how can I bear to see the destruction of my kindred?"
7 Then King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther and to Mordecai the Jew, "Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and they have hanged him on the gallows, because he intended to lay hands on the Jews.
8 But you may write as you please with regard to the Jews, in the name of the king, and seal it with the king's ring, for an edict written in the name of the king and sealed with the king's ring cannot be revoked."
9 The king's scribes were summoned at that time, in the third month, which is the month of Sivan, on the twenty-third day. And an edict was written, according to all that Mordecai commanded concerning the Jews, to the satraps and the governors and the officials of the provinces from India to Ethiopia, 127 provinces, to each province in its own script and to each people in its own language, and also to the Jews in their script and their language.
10 And he wrote in the name of King Ahasuerus and sealed it with the king's signet ring. Then he sent the letters by mounted couriers riding on swift horses that were used in the king's service, bred from the royal stud,
11 saying that the king allowed the Jews who were in every city to gather and defend their lives, to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate any armed force of any people or province that might attack them, children and women included, and to plunder their goods,
12 on one day throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar.
13 A copy of what was written was to be issued as a decree in every province, being publicly displayed to all peoples, and the Jews were to be ready on that day to take vengeance on their enemies.
14 So the couriers, mounted on their swift horses that were used in the king's service, rode out hurriedly, urged by the king's command. And the decree was issued in Susa the citadel.
15 Then Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal robes of blue and white, with a great golden crown and a robe of fine linen and purple, and the city of Susa shouted and rejoiced.
16 The Jews had light and gladness and joy and honour.
17 And in every province and in every city, wherever the king's command and his edict reached, there was gladness and joy among the Jews, a feast and a holiday. And many from the peoples of the country declared themselves Jews, for fear of the Jews had fallen on them.
Things to think about…
1. Solomon tells us the wages of the unrighteous are stored up for the righteous. This has certainly been the case for Mordecai and the property of Haman, Esth 8:1-4. Can you recall an example where you have seen this happen?
2. The laws of the Medes and Persians could not be changed, therefore the Jews were still in danger of the decree that the king had already enacted because of Haman. Esther has to enter the king’s presence again and find favour, which she does, Est 8:4. The Jews are now allowed to defend themselves, vs 11 and even attack their enemies, vs 13. Women and children included, vs 11. Christ is our deliverer. Battles rage, Eph 6, but the war has been won, Col 2:15.
3. Great joy and gladness filled the land and many people from other countries now declared themselves to be Jews, Est 8:17. Why wouldn’t you – they were receiving the king’s blessing. This is similar to what happened after Pentecost. Many feared the Christians at the time of Pentecost because they had the King’s power and many were joining their number. Are you praying for this to occur in our day? What would this look like if it did happen?
4. Remember there were Jews in Jerusalem at this time, the temple was built, but the wall needed rebuilding. Nehemiah would eventually find favour in Ahasuerus’ eyes to re-build the wall. Haman’s decree would have affected those in Jerusalem if it was enacted. Mordecai being a Jew could have been in Jerusalem with his people. By God’s providence he wasn’t and God used him to save his people. The Lord mightily uses such people to bless in times of social or spiritual upheaval. There are many examples in the bible where the Lord has raised up deliverers. Joseph and Daniel are two prominent examples as well as many in the book of Judges.
5. Israel today of course of established themselves as a regional power in the Middle East post the second world war. We know that there will be an end of days war in the valley of Megiddo. In this same valley there is an IDF air force base and it seems the end times stage is being set. Our Lord Jesus will ultimately stop those powers but only after much loss among the Jewish people. We see much loss today as the outworking of many turning away from Christ is being fulfilled as the Apostle Paul prophesied in 1Tim 4 and 2Tim 4.
Vision Point for cell groups
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Title was “Don’t grumble against grace” from Esther 4
1. Esther was a little shaky on her initial response to what she heard from Mordecai. Do you recall the events and her response? How can we act in the same way as Esther
2. Mordecai shows the heart of a true father in gently instructing his adopted daughter. Rather than accept her gift of clothes he says “"Do not think to yourself that in the king's palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"” Esth 4:13, 14. Break down this statement. What relevance has that had for Jews even up to today?
3. We are blessed with so much, but the Apostle Paul tells us after he was afflicted with a demon that in weakness Christ’s strength is shown. How has this been the case for you??
4. Pray each other.
Prayer Points
1. Pray for the 2 families we will be giving money to this week to help with flood relief in Queensborough parade in Karalee.
2. Our new Albanese government. That the Lord would be merciful. We need it with the spiritual change that has been happening in Australia.
3. Peace to rest over Ukraine.
4. Folk sick with Flu A and Covid – relief and healing.
5. Pray for other building projects – café roof, the repair of the house roof.
6. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. New folk came to CBC on Sunday.
2. Worship on Sunday – thankyou and technical team.
3. Café helpers on Sunday – thanks Melinda and Maddison.
4. All those who faithfully serve in ministries, Worship, Sound/Technical/Kids Church/ Cell Groups/Admin - Bulletins/Finances/Property/Welcoming/Spiritual Leadership/Cafe
5. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Remember to check your duty rosters.
2. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
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Catechism question for June...
Q. 4. What becomes of men when they die? A. The body returns to dust, and the soul goes back to God to be judged.
