Esther Chapters 4-6 (Blogging Through the Bible)

Happy Friday, everyone! This week has flown by, hasn't it?!

I have been so thrilled to read your comments so far! It is such a blessing to be on this journey of reading through the Bible with you!

Today, let's talk about chapters 4-6 of Esther.

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Esther 4

Scripture: Esther 4:10-11 Then she instructed him to say to Mordecai, ¹¹ “All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold scepter to them and spares their lives. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king.

 

Esther 4:14-16 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this? Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.

Observations: Esther had a choice to make – was she going to be a part of God’s plan to save the Jews or was she going to shrink back for fear of losing her own life. God had placed her in the position of queen because He knew He was going to need someone to intercede on behalf of the Jews. He could have used anyone, but He had chosen Esther and had gone before her to give her favor wherever she needed it so that she was now in the position to influence the king and save the lives of her people.

I see the plan of salvation all in this! God had a plan of salvation to restore our relationship with Him, but to do so would mean that Jesus would have to sacrifice His own life. Jesus, too, asked God if there was any other way so that this particular cup that God was requiring could pass from Him. He prayed so strongly that night in the garden of Gethsemane that drops of blood covered his brow. Jesus put our need of salvation above His own life that He willingly sacrificed so that our relationship with God could be restored.

Like Jesus, Esther prayed (and she fasted) before accepting her part in God’s plan to save the Jews from Hamen’s evil plot to annihilate them. Like Jesus, Esther chose to put the needs of her people (their very lives!) above her own in order to try to save them from being killed.

Application: I’ve never had to choose to put someone’s life (let alone an entire people!) above my own in a life-and-death situation, but what I take away from this to apply to my life is that I need to be looking out for the needs of others. In a world that is so self-focused, God calls us to value others above ourselves (Philippians 2:3).

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You so much for loving me and for having a plan to restore my broken relationship with You! Thank You, Jesus, for willingly laying down Your life so that Your innocent, sin-free blood could be applied to my sinful life making me white as snow before God. Help me, Father, to put the needs of others above my own, to love others unselfishly and sacrificially as Jesus has loved me. It’s in the loving name of Jesus I pray. Amen!

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Esther 5

Scripture: Esther 5:1-2 On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance. When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.

Esther 5:4-5 “If it pleases the king,” replied Esther, “let the king, together with Haman, come today to a banquet I have prepared for him.” “Bring Haman at once,” the king said, “so that we may do what Esther asks.” So the king and Haman went to the banquet Esther had prepared.

Observations: Here again we see that Esther approaches the king only after a time of preparation. This time her preparation has been 3 days of prayer and fasting. Spiritual preparation is required and necessary for spiritual battles. Because Esther took the time to involve and invite God into her desperate situation, the king accepted her request to approach him and her request of his and Haman’s presence at her banquet.

Application: I do not need to rush into any matter without first going to God in prayer, asking to be in His will and for Him to go before me to prepare my way, and to give me favor with others. I need to remember to invite God into all the circumstances of my life. I need to remember we are in a daily spiritual battle with our enemy, Satan, and that they only way I can defeat him is through the power and authority of Jesus Christ that I have as a child of God. I need to daily prepare myself for this spiritual battle by putting on the whole armor of God.

I love this quote from William Wiersbe, from his book “Be Committed (Ruth & Esther)”: “When the needs are so great and the privilege of prayer is so wonderful, well might the Lord wonder that His people neglect the throne of grace.”

The Lord brought “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” to my mind this morning as I studied this chapter. I want to include it here:

What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.

Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear
May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright unclouded there will be no need for prayer
Rapture, praise and endless worship will be our sweet portion there.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, what an honor and a privilege it is to come before You this morning! Thank You for the gift of being able to fellowship with You in prayer. Help me to remember to bring all my needs, cares, worries, and concerns to Jesus Who is waiting to take them and carry them so that I do not have to. Help me to remember that He’s asked me to cast all my cares on Him for He cares for me. Help me to be an intercessor for others who are caring burdens of their own. Help me to point them to prayer so that they too can find Your peace that surpasses all understanding. It’s in the faithful name of Jesus I pray. Amen!

Friday, September 5, 2014

Esther 6

Scripture: 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. ² It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, who had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. ³ “What honor and recognition has Mordecai received for this?” the king asked. "Nothing has been done for him," his attendants answered 4The king said, "Who is in the court?" Now Haman just entered the outer court of the palace to speak to the king about impaling Mordecai on the pole he had set up for him. 5His attendants answered, "Haman is standing in the court." "Bring him in," the king ordered.

Observations: In these verses I see the precise and perfect timing of God. It had been 5 years since Mordecai exposed Bigthana’s and Teresh’s plot to assassinate King Xerxes. He had never been rewarded - not until now at this precise time when the Jews would need deliverance. But on this night, the night before Haman was to carry out the execution of Mordecai on the gallows, King Xerxes cannot sleep so he has the book of chronicles brought in to him to read. It was God’s providence that King Xerxes turns to the page and reads where it is recorded about Mordecai exposing Bigthana’s and Teresh’s plot against the king. It was God’s providence again when Haman is the one who is in the court and King Xerxes calls him in to be part of showing the king’s honor to Mordecai.

Application: God is in control even when things seem to be upside down in life. The plans of God will prevail! When I look back over my past, I too can see God’s fingerprints on situations where His precise and perfect timing have been a blessing in my life. I can also see times of His comfort, protection, and provision. We may not always understand why things happen as they do, but we can be confident that God is always in control and that His timing is always perfect. We can remember how He has been faithful in the past as we trust Him with our future.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your faithfulness to me. When my life feels like it is spinning out of control, please help me to remember that You are in control and that Your timing is perfect. There are things that have happened during my life that I don’t understand, but Your Word tells me that You work all things together for my good. It is Your providence that is weaving together both the good and the bad in my life to form a beautiful tapestry. Help me to trust in the goodness and love of Your heart towards me. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray. Amen!

I use the S.O.A.P. method of Bible study that I learned from Courtney Joseph of Women Living Well and Good Morning Girls. It has really made the Bible come alive for me. Be sure to visit Courtney's site once you have left your comments here so you can read her post When Your Story Doesn't End Like Esther...or Cinderella.

Now it's your turn. I look forward to reading your comments! 

I'll see you here again on Sunday! Have a great weekend!

Walking in His Grace, 

Laurie

I'm Blogging Through the Bible with Courtney Joseph of Women Living Well and Good Morning Girls. Click on the image below to read more posts from others who are #bloggingthroughthebible!