God Speaks
Ezra Reviews the Circumstances of the Exiles Returning to Jerusalem; His Prayer and the People’s Public Repentance
Verse of the Day: Praise be to the LORD, the God of our ancestors, who has put it into the king’s heart to bring honor to the house of the LORD in Jerusalem in this way and who has extended his good favor to me before the king and his advisers and all the king’s powerful officials. Because the hand of the LORD my God was on me, I took courage and gathered leaders from Israel to go up with me. (Ezra 7:27-28 NIV 2011)
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We Respond
Reflection: Consider the following questions regarding Esther 6-10:
1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
Esther 6
1. God has a special affection for the Jews that even those who strongly oppose them recognize.
2. People who courageously expose evil, as Mordecai did with the two men who plotted to assassinate the King, will eventually be honored.
Esther 7
1. The LORD God is a God of justice; He will not allow the wicked to go unpunished.
2. Evil people will eventually suffer the evil they had planned to inflict on others.
Esther 8
1. God gives people the permission and courage to stand up against their enemies and His.
2. The people of God will celebrate with joy, gladness, and feasting when they have permission to defeat their enemies.
Esther 9
1. God will enable His people (all those who trust and obey Him) to overpower their enemies.
2. People’s sorrows will be turned into gladness and their mourning into joy when the Jews (or other followers of God) gain relief from their enemies.
Esther 10
1. God is the one who places people like Mordecai and Esther in positions of influence for the sake of His kingdom.
2. People in positions of authority and influence like Mordecai should be held in high esteem when they continually work for the good of their people and speak up for their well-being.
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding Esther 6-10?
LORD God, from the time You chose Abram, You’ve had a special affection for the Jews. Even those who strongly oppose them recognize it. You empower people to courageously expose evil, as Mordecai did with the two men who plotted to assassinate the King. They will eventually be honored. LORD God, You are a God of justice. You will not allow the wicked to go unpunished. Evil people will eventually suffer the evil they had planned to inflict on others. You give people the permission and courage to stand up against their enemies and Yours. People who fear You will celebrate with joy, gladness, and feasting when they know that they have permission to defend themselves and defeat their enemies. You are enabling Your people (all those who trust and obey You) to overpower their enemies. Our sorrows will be turned into gladness and our mourning into joy when the Jews (or other followers of God) gain relief from our enemies, whether physical or spiritual. You are the one who places people like Mordecai and Esther in positions of influence for the sake of Your kingdom. Godly people in positions of authority and influence like Mordecai should be held in high esteem. Enable them to continue working for the good of the people and to speak up for our well-being. May we all live with the purpose of bringing You glory, LORD. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to Esther 6-10? With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- I will do something specific to show respect and honor to Jewish people.
- I will take action to stand against Jew-hatred.
- I will pray for the peace of Jerusalem and Israel.
- I will urge and support politicians who continually work for the good of their constituents (particularly maligned groups) and who speak up for their well-being.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.