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Esther 5 - Day 959 (link to reading)
Scripture: Esther 5:9-14 Commentary (thewarehouse.blog): Haman was so filled with pride after having been invited to a private dinner, it meant nothing to him. Yes, he values himself above all others, going all the way back to the opening problem of Mordecai not bowing before him. But even such an invitation seemed irrelevant as he is consumed with sheer hatred for Mordecai and his people. His pride is off the charts. His insecurities are driving him. His arrogance blinding. Arrogance is not only destructive but deeply harmful to others. It destroys relationships, places barriers between oneself and usually everyone. It develops an unteachable spirit. The arrogant person is deceived. It is what pushes people to do very foolish things. It causes them to speak without thought. The most arrogant people I know usually have no voice of reason in their circle. They never admit they’re wrong. They never own their mistakes. They shift the blame continually. They’ve driven people off who simply don’t want to be part of their life any longer. Application: We cannot see our own arrogance. Thus, we need people we trust to help us when we act like Haman. Prayer: Lord, have mercy... Esther 4 - Day 958 (link to reading)
Scripture: Esther 4:1-17 Commentary (workingpreacher.org): When Mordecai calls upon her to act on behalf of her people, we can easily imagine Esther saying, “Who? Me? I don’t have any power or authority. I’m just an orphan Jew who doesn’t even belong at court, faking my way through each day. Can’t some passionate prophet step up and do it? Or maybe one of Yahweh’s priests?” It’s clear that she has never thought of herself as having the agency to effect change or make a difference. Mordecai makes a case to Esther that she must step into this particular historical moment. Her personal history intersects with the Jews’ corporate history at this particular time, in this particular place. In fact, says Mordecai, maybe her personal history has led her precisely to this moment, “for such a time as this,” because, as a Jewish woman who is also Queen Esther, she is in a unique position to save her people. Application: God is working His plan of redemption and has invited us to do our part. Prayer: Lord, Thy will be done... Esther 3 - Day 957 (link to reading)
Scripture: Esther 3 Commentary (thewarehouse.blog): Haman was a descendant of Agag, the mortal enemies of the Jews. So, of course, when Haman found out that Mordecai was a Jew it only compounded the issue at hand. Mordecai’s choice not to bow down to Haman was one thing, but his Jewish ancestry sealed the deal. There are Haman’s everywhere today. Insecure and power-hungry, they need the validation of man to feel good about themselves and they will do whatever it takes to get it. Application: Haman's insecurities drove him to plot the destruction of the Israelites, but little did he know, he was working against God's plan. Likewise, I must examine my own motivations and ask myself, "Am I working towards or against Jesus?" Prayer: Lord, show me Your face... Esther 2 - Day 956 (link to reading)
Scripture: Esther 2 Commentary (christianpublishinghouse.co): After the fiasco with Queen Vashti, King Ahasuerus appoints attendants to seek out the most beautiful virgins in all the 127 provinces of the Persian Empire and bring them to the city of Shushan. Thereafter, they were to be prepared with beauty treatments, so that they could be presented before the king. Of the many beautiful women selected was Esther, a Jewish orphan, who “was beautiful of form and face.” “When her father and her mother died,” her uncle “Mordecai took her as his own daughter.” (2:7) Application: After Queen Vashti courageously defied the King's order, she was banished. Although Ahasuerus felt remorse because he was the king, he could not repent so life continued as usual. We on the other hand can and should repent of our sins. Prayer: Lord Jesus, have mercy on me a sinner... Esther 1 - Day 955 (link to reading)
Scripture: Esther 1:10-15 Summary (insight.org): The events in the book of Esther occurred from 483 BC to 473 BC, during the first half of the reign of King Xerxes, who chose Esther as his queen. During this time period, the first remnant of Jews who had returned to Judah were struggling to reestablish temple worship according to the Law of Moses. But Esther and Mordecai, along with many other Jews, had chosen not to make the trek back to Judah. They seemed content to stay in Susa, the capital city of Persia, in which the story is set. Esther is the only book in the Bible not to mention the name of God. But that is not to say that God was absent. His presence permeates much of the story, as though He were behind the scenes coordinating “coincidences” and circumstances to make His will happen. While the primary purpose of the book of Esther was to relate the dramatic origins of the feast of Purim, a greater theme shines through the story. The sovereignty and faithfulness of God permeate each scene. Nothing is truly coincidental, the book of Esther says to us. God’s sovereignty is best summarized in Mordecai’s exhortation to Esther: “And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14). Application: The eye cannot see itself, so we need wise counsel to prevent us from making foolish mistakes. Prayer: Lord, help me to... |
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