God Speaks
A New Queen and a Plot to Kill Mordecai and Annihilate All the Jews
Verse of the Day: [Mordecai told Esther:] “. . . 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.” [Quotes as in the original.] (Esther 4:14 NIV 2011)
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We Respond
Reflection: Consider the following questions regarding Esther 1-5:
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 1
1. It is God who allows people like King Xerxes (Ahasuerus in Hebrew) to acquire such great wealth and power.
2. Disagreements between husbands and wives as to how their spouse should behave or respond transcends time periods and social class.
Esther 2
1. God cares for and guides His chosen people just as Mordecai cared for and guided Esther.
2. People need to take responsibility to care for orphans within their families and to be alert to threats against their leaders as Mordecai was.
Esther 3
1. God is aware of evil plots against His people (Jews and Christians) by people like Haman, Hitler, and Hamas, and may choose to allow them for His own purposes.
2. People like Haman, Hitler, and Hamas who hurt and/or curse God’s people will be eventually cursed by God.
Esther 4
1. God wants His people to depend totally on Him.
2. People in distress (such as from the threat of annihilation) should fast and pray as Mordecai and Esther did.
Esther 5
1. God, like King Xerxes, expects people to approach Him with great respect. He will extend His scepter of grace to those who do.
2. People like Haman are enraged when others don’t honor or obey them the way they think they should.
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding Esther 1-5?
O LORD, it was only by Your grace that King Ahasuerus had such great wealth and power. Please help me to use whatever wealth or power You give me to benefit others, not to boast or brag. Disagreements between husbands and wives transcend time periods and social class. Help me to properly love and respect my spouse. LORD God, You care for and guide Your chosen people. Mordecai cared for and guided Esther; assist me to do the same on behalf of at least one young person. May Christians around the world take responsibility to care for orphans within their families or communities. Keep us alert to threats against our leaders as Mordecai was. LORD, You are aware of evil plots against Your people (Jews and Christians) by people like Haman, Hitler, and Hamas. You have chosen to allow them to do so for Your own purposes. Please help us to respond in ways You see as appropriate. People like Haman, Hitler, and Hamas who hurt and/or curse Your people will eventually be eternally cursed by You, LORD God. You want Your people to depend totally on You. When people are in distress (such as from the threat of annihilation), we should unite, fast, and pray as Mordecai and Esther did. People should always approach You with great respect. As they do, You will extend Your scepter of grace. People like Haman are enraged when others don’t honor or obey them the way they think they should. But in Your lovingkindness, You graciously receive all who come to You in humility and holy fear. That’s how we bring 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 1-5? With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- I will thank God for all the possessions He has allowed me to acquire and not neglect to share them with those in need, not just friends and family.
- I will consider adopting or mentoring a needy young person.
- I will ask God to expose and thwart the plots of evil people.
- I will do something specific to show honor to a person in a position of authority.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.